Baby Milestones: Month by Month

Your baby’s first 18 months are full of exciting changes — from their very first smile to those wobbly first steps.

Every week brings something new as your little one learns, grows, and begins to understand the world around them. Watching these milestones unfold is one of the most rewarding parts of parenthood, and it’s completely normal to wonder what to expect next.

While it’s helpful to know the typical stages of development, remember that every baby is unique. Some reach certain milestones a little earlier or later than others, and that’s perfectly okay. What matters most is that your child is progressing at their own pace, surrounded by love, encouragement, and opportunities to explore.

To help guide you through these early months, we’ve broken down key developmental milestones from birth to 18 months - plus ideas for how you can support your baby’s learning through everyday play and connection.

0-3 Months

Gross Motor / Movement

• Lifts head and chest when on tummy
• Keeps head in the middle when lying on back
• Begins to kick and move arms and legs

Fine Motor / Hand & Finger Skills

• Opens and closes hands
• Brings hands to mouth
• Swipes at objects dangling in front

Visual / Perception

• Watches faces intently
• Follows slow movements (~40 cm in front)
• Begins to recognise familiar people

Social / Emotional & Communication

• Smiles in response to faces
• Begins to coo and make vowel sounds
• Gains trust through consistent care and comfort

What You Can Do

• Give “tummy time” in short sessions (face-to-face, with toys or a mirror).
• Use contrasting mobiles or toys to encourage tracking
• Talk, sing, and respond to your baby’s vocalisations

“Tummy time can begin from day one, and it doesn’t need to be on the floor initially. Placing your baby on your chest is a great way to start.”

4-6 Months

Gross Motor / Movement

• Rolls (front to back, back to front)
• Begins to support weight on legs when held
• May sit with support

Fine Motor / Hand & Finger Skills

• Reaches out with one hand
• Grasping toys, shaking or banging them
• “Raking” objects toward self

Visual / Perception

• Follows moving objects more accurately
• Recognises objects and people at a distance

Social / Emotional & Communication

• Laughs out loud
• Shows excitement in interactions
• More expressive with face, coos, responds to voices

What You Can Do

• Give toys of different textures, shapes, sounds
• Encourage reaching, grasping, exploring in safe space
• Talk about what baby sees, name objects

7-9 Months

Gross Motor / Movement

• Sits unsupported
• Begins to pivot or “worm” on tummy to reach
• May begin crawling or bottom shuffling

Fine Motor / Hand & Finger Skills

• Transfers objects from one hand to the other
• Begins voluntary release of objects
• Bangs objects together

Visual / Perception & Cognition

• Looks for hidden objects
• Responds when a toy is named
• Understands simple “in / on / under” as you play

Social / Emotional & Communication

• Experiments with gestures (e.g. waving, reaching)
• May show stranger anxiety
• Babbles with consonant sounds

What You Can Do

• Play peek-a-boo, hide small objects to find
• Use simple language describing what you and baby see
• Provide a safe, open floor space to move

10-12 Months

Gross Motor / Movement

• Moves between sitting, lying, crawling
• Pulls up to stand, lowers self with control
• Cruises (walks holding furniture) and may take first steps

Fine Motor / Hand & Finger Skills

• Uses pincer grasp (thumb + index)
• Bangs two objects together
• Puts objects in a container / takes them out

Visual / Perception & Cognition

• Finds hidden items
• Looks at correct picture when named (e.g. “Where’s the duck?”)
• Begins to understand object permanence

Social / Emotional & Communication

• Says perhaps “mama”, “dada”, and a few more words
• Imitates gestures (wave, clap)
• Responds to simple requests without gestures

What You Can Do

• Encourage self-feeding finger foods
• Read picture books, point out objects and name them
• Limit use of baby walkers — allow floor time to explore freely

13-15 Months

Movement / Gross Motor

• Takes steps independently
• Squats to pick up objects
• Climbs on and off low furniture

Fine Motor / Hand & Finger Skills

• Marks on paper (scribbling)
• Uses both hands together (one holds, one manipulates)
• Begins to use utensils or cups

Check out these fine motor activities to help your toddler build strength, coordination, and confidence through simple, everyday play.

Cognition / Perception

• Explores putting things in and out
• Points at things to indicate interest

Social / Emotional & Communication

• Uses several single words
• Tries to imitate daily tasks
• May show more independence / testing limits

What You Can Do

• Provide safe stacking toys, simple puzzles
• Offer finger foods and practice spoon use
• Encourage imitation (you do, baby tries)

16-18 Months

Gross Motor / Movement

• Walks independently (though wobbly)
• Crawls up stairs or attempts steps
• Enjoys push-along toys

Fine Motor / Hand & Finger Skills

• Stacks 2–3 blocks
• Makes marks on paper with crayon
• Removes socks/shoes, feeds self with spoon

Visual / Perception & Cognition

• Points to name familiar body parts and objects
• Recognises shapes and colours
• Understands “in / on / under” and can point to pictures named

Social / Emotional & Communication

• Uses more words (beyond “mama”/“dada”)
• Follows one-step instructions without gesture
• Shows separation anxiety; uses gestures to communicate

What You Can Do

• Provide push/pull toys, stacking sets, simple puzzles
• Encourage naming of body parts, objects
• Read books together, narrate everyday life
• Offer simple choices (“Do you want red or blue cup?”)

We spoke to Lucy Pearson, Specialist Children’s Physiotherapist and Clinic Director at Top Physiotherapy, who shared the following advice:

“Remember, you are your child’s parent - you know them best. Sometimes, all the research in the world won’t get your child to do something exactly when you want them to. If you have a concern, trust your instincts. A little help from a trained professional can provide the guidance and support you and your child need to achieve their goals.

Every child is unique, but no baby is ever ‘lazy’. If your baby isn’t reaching a particular milestone, there’s usually a reason - whether it’s mild muscle weakness, tightness, difficulty with motor planning, or something else entirely. A trained professional can help identify what’s going on and guide you through the next steps.”

Every baby develops in their own time, so try not to worry if your little one isn’t following these milestones exactly. Some babies might take their first steps a little later, while others start talking earlier - it’s all part of their individual journey.

What’s most important is offering plenty of love, encouragement, and opportunities to play and explore. If you ever have concerns about your baby’s development, trust your instincts and reach out to your health visitor for reassurance and guidance.

At My Ohana, we believe every milestone, big or small, deserves to be celebrated. Our nurseries provide a nurturing, play-based environment where children can grow, learn, and reach their full potential.

Ready to see what makes our nurseries special? Book a tour today and experience the My Ohana difference for yourself.