When to be concerned about development?

If by 2 months no social smiling, by 6 months no reaching, by 12 months no babbling or pointing.

Do premature babies follow same timeline?

Premature babies use corrected age from due date not birth date for first 2 years.

Baby Growth Timeline — Month by Month Development

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Baby Development Milestones Month by Month

Your baby's first year is a period of extraordinary development. Each month brings new skills, abilities, and personality. Our month-by-month baby growth timeline shows what to expect at each stage — and when to mention any concerns to your pediatrician.

Key Milestones in the First Year

1 month: Lifts head briefly, responds to sound, focuses on faces at 8–12 inches
2 months: Social smiles, coos and vocalizes, tracks objects
3 months: Holds head steady, brings hands to mouth, laughs
4–5 months: Rolls tummy-to-back, reaches for objects, recognizes familiar faces
6 months: Sits with support, starts solids, babbles consonant sounds
7–8 months: Sits independently, starts crawling, stranger anxiety appears
9 months: Pulls to stand, pincer grasp developing, says 'mama' and 'dada'
12 months: May take first steps, says 1–3 words, points to things of interest

What if my baby misses a milestone?

Milestones are averages — some babies reach them earlier or later. A missed milestone at one check-up is worth monitoring; consistent delays across multiple areas warrant a developmental assessment.

When should I be concerned about my baby's development?

Speak to your pediatrician if by 2 months there's no social smiling, by 6 months no reaching or rolling, or by 12 months no babbling or pointing.

Do premature babies follow the same milestone timeline?

Premature babies use a 'corrected age' — calculated from their due date, not birth date — for the first 2 years. A baby born 8 weeks early at 6 months is developmentally compared to a 4-month-old.

Baby Growth Timeline