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Advice from Paediatrician
In your baby’s first year, you’ll witness an incredible transformation, from a sleepy newborn to a babbling, crawling (and possibly walking) little explorer. Understanding baby development milestones helps you feel confident about what’s ahead, while also reassuring you that most children grow and develop at their own pace.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at what to expect from your baby’s first 12 months, what’s typical at different ages, and how to best support your baby’s development. I’ll also talk you through when you might need to check in with a healthcare professional if you’re worried about your child’s progress.
Baby Milestones Month-by-Month
Newborn Milestones (0-1 Month)
In these first few weeks, your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb.
They’ll mostly be sleeping, feeding and slowly becoming more aware of their surroundings.
Around 4 weeks, babies become more sensitive, both to the world around them and their internal sensations. This is when some babies may start to experience colic, a describing term for a highly unsettled baby who cries frequently.
At this stage, baby’s cries are their main form of communication. You might also notice small body movements like leg kicks, jerks or startles. Your baby may begin to track your face with their eyes.
2-Month-Old Baby Milestones
Your baby’s alert time increases and they’ll begin making sounds, like cooing – the key is to always coo back at them, this is called responsive coo-ing… it’s magical!
You’ll start to see reciprocal smiles, one of baby’s first signs of engagement (I can’t tell you the joy you will feel when your baby first smiles at you – there’s no dopamine rush in the world that can beat this).
Tummy time becomes more important to help gross motor development, like neck control.
3-Month-Old Baby Milestones
By now, your baby may be able to hold their head up briefly and track moving objects with their eyes.
They’ll continue making vowel sounds and smiling at familiar words and faces.
While every baby is different, many start to show early signs of cognitive development like recognising routines and responding to voices.
4-Month Old Baby Milestones
This is a time of phenomenal development for your baby.
Most babies will begin the first of their large body movements and start to roll, which means you need to unswaddle them to minimise the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). This is because an infant rolling from back to front may not be able to reposition themselves safely, if tightly swaddled.They also start to hold their head steady without your support.
All this extra movement requires calories, look for signs of readiness from this age that your baby may be due to start solids.
6 Month Baby Milestones
At six months, most babies are sitting with support, reaching for things, manipulating toys and passing them or other objects from hand to hand.
They might also respond to their name.
This is a big month for fine motor skills, like picking up items and exploring them with their mouths.
7-9 Month Milestones
This age brings big changes in mobility. Many babies will begin to crawl, scoot or shuffle.
They may sit unaided, pull up to a standing position, and show preferences for toys, especially ones that resemble real-life items like a stuffed animal.
Babbling increases and they may understand familiar sounds or words like “no”; their own name or a dog barking.
Makes different sounds like “mamamama” and “dadadada” (a parent might claim this as their first word!)
Shows different facial expressions to express emotions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised.
10-12 Month Milestones
In the final stretch of the first year, most babies are on the move; cruising, crawling, or even walking.
They’ll enjoy exploring their environment and may begin pointing, clapping, or waving.
They might say one or two words and use body language to express wants and needs.
Milestones your baby should have reached by 12 months – watch here!
In all seriousness, paediatric development exists on a continuum. There is no strict time frame in which babies need to be achieving certain developmental milestones.
All babies are different, with varied interests and focus areas.
When Do Babies Reach Physical Milestones?
Most of the time, they’ll get there when they’re good and ready. BUT if you are ever worried about their behaviour or development, there is no harm in a quick check up with your baby’s doctor or maternal child health nurse.
When Do Babies Roll Over?
Many babies roll from tummy to back by 4–5 months and from back to tummy by 6 months. Encourage plenty of tummy time to help strengthen core and arm muscles.
When Can Babies Sit Up on Their Own?
Around 6–8 months, babies develop the core strength to sit unaided. Use soft baby toys and interactive play to support their progress.
When Do Babies Crawl and Stand?
Babies often crawl between 7–10 months. Pulling up to a standing position may follow soon after. Crawling is great for gross motor skills — but it’s also okay if your baby skips crawling altogether. Some babies go straight to standing or walking.
When Do Babies Start Walking?
Most children take their first steps between 12–15 months. If your child isn’t walking by 18 months, it’s a good idea to talk to your child health nurse or GP to rule out any concerns.
When Do Babies Start Talking and Communicating?
First Sounds and Baby Talk
From around 6 weeks, babies begin making sounds like coos and gurgles. This is the start of baby speech milestones — and it’s a key part of early language development.
When Should My Baby Say Their First Word?
Many babies say their first word often “mama” or “dada” around 10 to 14 months. They’ll usually understand familiar words (receptive language) well before they can say them (expressive language).
What If My Baby Isn’t Talking Yet?
All babies develop at their own pace, but if your baby isn’t making sounds, responding to voices, or using body language to communicate by 12 months, it’s worth checking in with your family doctor or health nurse. Early intervention can make a big difference if there are concerns.
Signs Your Baby Might Be Falling Behind
What If My Baby Isn’t Hitting Milestones?
It’s natural to worry if your child isn’t meeting baby development milestones. But remember: most babies progress at their own pace, and what’s “normal” covers a wide range.
When Should I Worry About Development Delays?
This is general advice and if you’re ever concerned, talk to a healthcare professional about your baby’s specific case and needs. As a general rule, if your baby isn’t showing interest in people, isn’t responding to sounds, can’t hold their head up by 4 months, or isn’t using gestures or making sounds by 9–12 months, speak with your GP or child health nurse. If they have lost a previously acquired developmental skills, this is also another reason to have your child seen by a doctor.
In Australia, our Maternal Child Health appointments are a great way to regularly check in and discuss these various milestones over the first 12 months – I urge all parents to tap into these great resources.
Who Should I Talk to If I’m Concerned?
Reach out to your family health nurse, maternal health nurse, registered nurse, paediatrician, family doctor or GP. In Australia, you can also access resources through the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority for guidance on developmental delay and support options.
How to Help Your Baby Reach Their Milestones
Activities to Encourage Crawling and Walking
Encourage floor play, tummy time, obstacle crawling, and assisted standing. Let babies explore different surfaces safely including carpet, grass, or play mats to help build coordination.
Talking, Singing and Reading to Boost Baby’s Brain
Babies learn best through interaction. Talk, sing, and read often. Label other objects, repeat familiar words, and follow their gaze. You can narrate what you’re doing around the house as a way of gently chatting to your baby – “daddy is cleaning the bench after breakfast”, “mummy is running you a lovely warm bath to unwind at the end of the day” etc. you may feel mad in the moment but you’ll be amazed when it’s the two of you how much it increases their exposure to language. The more babies hear language, the more they’ll eventually understand and use it.
Best Toys and Play Ideas for Baby Development
The truth is the first year you don’t need many toys at all!
I like soft blocks, mirrors and sensory items like fabric books to help with fine motor skills and baby cognitive development. Toys that make noise, like rattles, also help babies learn cause and effect.
FAQs on Babies 12 Month Development Milestones
When do babies start crawling, sitting, and walking?
- Crawling: 7-10 months
- Sitting unaided: 6-8 months
- Walking: 12-15 months (but sometimes later)
What if my baby skips a milestone?
Some babies skip crawling or rolling and go straight to walking. That’s okay, what matters is they’re progressing overall.
What is considered a late walker?
If your child isn’t walking by 18 months, check in with your GP or child health nurse.
What if my baby isn’t rolling over yet?
Rolling can happen anytime between 4-6 months. Keep encouraging tummy time and floor play.
Is it OK if my baby skips crawling?
Yes. Some babies shuffle, scoot, or cruise without traditional crawling. Focus on overall progress and mobility.
What are the red flags for developmental delays?
Lack of response to sounds, no eye contact, no attempts at movement or communication by 12 months. Speak to your GP or family health nurse if you notice any signs of delayed development in babies.
What can I do to support my baby’s growth development at home?
- Offer daily tummy time
- Talk and sing throughout the day
- Encourage exploration with safe spaces and stimulating baby toys
- Practice baby massage
- Follow routines that support baby safe sleep, play, and feed times
Is there a difference in development between babies fed on breast milk or formula?
Breastfeeding studies have been linked to all sorts of developmental outcomes including IQ! This is wonderful and I’m pro breastfeeding but these studies are not randomised controlled studies (the gold standard of academia) and have many confounding elements including maternal nutrition; education/IQ; mental health, socio economic status, access to childcare – etc. etc. it’s easy to link these outcomes, impossible to prove them conclusively, formula fed babies develop into healthy children.
Do boys and girls develop at different rates?
There can be slight differences, for example, girls may develop language skills earlier, while boys may hit gross motor skills first, but every child is unique.
Final Thoughts on Child Development in the First 12 Months
Every baby develops in their own way. Some will hit baby milestones by month, others will take longer to reach developmental milestones from 0–12 months. Don’t compare your child too closely to others, instead, focus on their individual progress, how they grow and develop, and how they engage with the world around them.
If you ever feel unsure, speak to your family health nurse or trusted healthcare professional. And remember: babies grow, babies learn, and babies communicate, in their own time, and in their own way.
