Developmental Milestones in Your Baby’s First Year

From birth to 5 years old, your child should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move. These milestones offer important clues about your baby’s development. Below are a few important milestones to look for in your baby’s first year. Check off a milestone as your baby reaches it!

Don’t forget that this list is a guide and not set in stone. Every baby learns and grows at a different pace.

Missing Milestones

You know your baby best. If you or your baby’s caregivers are concerned about how your baby plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves, talk with their provider. Don’t wait! Acting early can make a big difference!

2 Months

  • Begins to smile at people.
  • Turns head toward sounds.
  • Pays attention to faces.
  • Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy.

4 Months

  • Likes to play with people and might cry when playing stops.
  • Babbles with expression and copies sounds heard.
  • Uses hands and eyes together, such as seeing a toy and reaching for it.
  • Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys.

6 Months

  • Responds to own name by looking at you.
  • Likes to play with others, especially parents.
  • Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds.
  • Shows curiosity about things and tries to get things that are out of reach.
  • Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front).

9 Months

  • May be clingy with familiar adults.
  • Copies sounds and gestures of others.
  • Looks for things they see you hide.
  • Sits without support.

12 Months

  • Uses simple gestures such as shaking head for “no” or waving “bye-bye.”
  • Repeats sounds or actions to get attention.
  • Says short names like “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!”
  • Follows simple directions such as, “pick up the toy.”
  • Pulls up to stand and walks holding onto furniture (cruising).


For more complete checklists by age visit www.cdc.gov/Milestones.

Adapted with permission from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Program.