Every child is different, but it helps many new parents to know what milestones to look for throughout their baby’s development. Here’s a simple list of some milestones you can look for as your baby grows.
Birth to 3 Months:
- Pushes up on arms while lying on tummy
- Opens and closes fists
- Brings hands up to mouth
- Lifts and holds up head while lying on tummy
- Tracks a moving object with eyes while lying on back
- Smiles at voices or sounds
- Demonstrates interest in faces
- Makes eye contact
- Uses different cries for different needs (a hungry cry vs. a tired cry)
- Turns head toward voices or sounds
- Makes cooing noises
4 to 6 Months:
- Sits up using hands for support
- Rolls over from back to tummy and vice versa
- Reaches for toys while on tummy
- Uses both hands to feel toys
- Brings objects up to mouth
- More easygoing, not upset at everyday sounds
- Listens and responds when spoken to
- Shows reaction to sudden noises
- Demonstrates interest in food
- Opens mouth for spoon
7 to 9 Months:
- Sits up without support
- Transitions from tummy or back to a sitting position
- Picks up small objects with fingers and thumb
- Attempts to crawl
- Focuses on objects that are nearby and far away
- Recognizes sound of name
- Imitates sounds
- Shows recognition of some words/sounds
10 to 12 Months:
- Pulls up to stand and uses furniture for support
- Claps hands
- Enjoys listening to music
- Crawls toward objects
- Speaks one or two words
- Able to feed self with finger foods
- Uses gestures and hand movements to communicate wants and needs
Sarah Creal is a family, maternity, newborn, and birth photographer serving Richmond, Virginia and Lawton, Oklahoma. With 10+ years in business and 95 five-star reviews, she is known for relaxed, connected photography and her ability to work with children and families of different needs. Sarah was also an occupational therapist for 25 years and is a member of Professional Photographers of America and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
