If there’s one thing seasoned parents will tell you, it’s this: "Cherish the moments because they grow up in the blink of an eye." While it might sound a bit cliché, we often don’t realise just how fast our little ones are changing until they’re suddenly outgrowing their onesies or toddling around faster than you can catch them. 

From their first smile to those tentative steps, each milestone is a significant part of your baby’s growth and your family’s story. However, keeping track of these milestones isn’t just about creating cherished memories; it’s also about understanding and supporting your baby’s developmental needs. That’s why we’ve created a month-by-month milestone checklist to ensure you’re celebrating every giggle, step, and sleepy snuggle.  

Month-by-Month Milestones 

Month 1: The First Smile and Recognition

In the first month, your baby starts to recognise your voice and may focus on your face. These early interactions are vital for their social development. Look for their first smile – a heart-melting moment! Studies suggest that newborns can distinguish their parent’s voice from others while in the womb. This recognition builds a strong foundation for bonding and emotional security. 

Month 2: Becoming More Alert

By the second month, your baby becomes more alert and responsive, starting to coo and make gurgling sounds. These early vocalisations are their first steps towards language development. Around this stage, you’ll notice your baby beginning to engage more with their surroundings and express curiosity.

Month 3: Improved Head Control

Around the third month, your baby will have better head control and will begin to reach for and grasp objects. This is an exciting period as they start exploring the world around them. Experts highlight the importance of tummy time for developing these motor skills. 

Month 4: Rolling Over and Expressiveness

In the fourth month, your baby might start rolling over and showing more expressive facial expressions. This is a sign of growing muscle strength and emotional development. Rolling over is a major milestone that signifies increasing physical coordination. Remember to keep your baby’s environment safe as they become more mobile!

Month 5: Responding to Name

By month five, your baby will likely start responding to their name and begin babbling. This indicates their growing awareness and cognitive development. Babbling is an important precursor to speech, so engage in conversations with your little one to encourage this skill.

Month 6: Sitting Up and Starting Solids

At six months, your baby might sit up with support and start eating solids. This is a major milestone as they begin to transition from milk to more varied foods. Ensure they have a safe environment to explore these new tastes and textures. Sitting up independently marks a significant step in their physical development, and means you can transition to having them sit, rather than lie in one of our prams.

Month 7: Exploring with Hands and Mouth

In the seventh month, your baby will explore objects with their hands and mouth, and start transferring items between hands. This is their way of developing their senses. Encourage them with safe, varied objects to explore. This stage helps improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, preparing them for more complex tasks in the future. 

Month 8: Crawling and Stranger Anxiety 

By the eighth month, crawling might begin, and you might notice signs of stranger anxiety. While you may feel a bit worried, rest assured that it’s a natural part of their social development and should decrease around the age of two. Make sure your home is baby-proofed for their new mobility. Crawling enhances their ability to explore and understand their environment, fostering independence.

Month 9: Pulling to Stand

In the ninth month, your baby might start pulling themselves up to stand and babble more complex sounds. This indicates growing strength and coordination. Encourage these activities by providing sturdy furniture to hold onto. Pulling to stand is a precursor to walking, showing that your baby is building the necessary muscles and balance.

Month 10: Cruising and Waving Goodbye

By month ten, your baby may cruise along furniture and start waving goodbye. These gestures are early forms of communication and social interaction. The best way to reinforce these actions is with positive responses! Make sure to wave back and encourage them when they attempt to communicate with you.

Month 11: Understanding Commands

At eleven months, your baby will begin to understand simple commands and may attempt their first words. This is a sign of their growing cognitive and language skills. Engage with them using simple, clear language to boost their understanding. Understanding commands indicates their ability to comprehend language and follow instructions.

Month 12: First Steps and Independence

As your baby's first birthday approaches, get ready for some unforgettable moments! At month twelve, they might take their first wobbly steps, start playing more independently, and clearly communicate their needs (sometimes quite loudly!). Watching your little one take those first steps is like witnessing a small miracle, symbolising both physical and cognitive growth.

Supporting Your Baby’s Development

Here are the top ways to support your baby’s development throughout their first year, ensuring they thrive physically, cognitively, and emotionally.

Physical Development

• Tummy Time: Tummy Time is essential for strengthening your baby’s neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. Start by placing your baby on their tummy for a few minutes each day. Pediatrician Dr Douglas suggests that tummy time can be more flexible than many parents realise. A great way to ease into it is by laying down and placing your baby on your chest. This not only helps with muscle development but also creates a sweet bonding moment.
• Reaching and Grasping: Encourage your baby to reach for toys just out of their grasp. This not only strengthens their muscles but also improves hand-eye coordination.
• Rolling and Crawling: Create a safe, open space for your baby to practice rolling and crawling. Use toys and objects to motivate them to move and explore.

Cognitive Development:

• Interactive Games: Play peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, and other interactive games to develop their cognitive skills. These games teach them about object permanence and cause-and-effect relationships.
• Educational Toys: Provide toys that stimulate their senses, such as rattles, soft books, and stacking blocks. Look for toys that encourage problem-solving and creativity.
• Reading Together: Read to your baby daily. Point out pictures, make sounds, and engage them with the story. This not only boosts their language skills but also strengthens your bond.

Emotional Development

• Consistent Routines: Establish regular routines for feeding, sleeping, and playtime. Consistency helps your baby feel secure and understand what to expect.
• Responding to Cues: Pay attention to your baby’s cues and respond promptly. Whether it’s a cry for food, a need for comfort, or a desire for play, responding to their needs builds trust and emotional security.
• Affection and Bonding: Spend quality time cuddling, talking, and playing with your baby. Physical touch and positive interactions are essential for their emotional health and can even shape a child’s happiness for life.

Capturing and Celebrating Milestones

While you’re dedicated to supporting your baby’s development, don’t forget to savour the journey. Capture those precious moments with photos and videos—aim for candid shots that truly showcase their personality. Create a milestone scrapbook or journal where you can jot down notes, add photos, and include little keepsakes. Celebrating these milestones with family and friends can be as simple as a cosy gathering or a fun outing, making each achievement even more special. These moments are fleeting, and your future self will be incredibly grateful for the memories you’ve preserved. 

Conclusion

As you navigate the incredible journey of your baby’s first year, remember that every baby develops at their own pace. The milestones we’ve shared are average ages, so don’t worry if your little one doesn’t hit them exactly on time. What’s most important is that your baby is growing, exploring, and experiencing the world around them. For more tips and high-quality products, visit the Edwards & Co prams collection. Let’s make your baby’s first year one to remember.