Baby Development
Every baby grows and learns at their own pace. This page gives simple examples of skills many babies begin to show as they grow, plus easy ways parents can support development at home.
0–3 Months
During the first few months, babies may begin to look at faces, react to sounds, move their arms and legs more, and briefly hold their head up during tummy time.
Try this: Talk, sing, cuddle, and give your baby short periods of supervised tummy time while awake.
4–6 Months
Babies may start smiling more, making sounds, reaching for toys, rolling, bringing objects to their mouth, and sitting with support.
Try this: Offer safe toys to reach for, read simple books, and give plenty of supervised floor time.
7–9 Months
Many babies become more active during this stage. They may sit without support, move toys from one hand to the other, respond to their name, make more sounds, and begin scooting or crawling.
Try this: Place safe toys a short distance away, play peekaboo, and talk about what you are doing throughout the day.
10–12 Months
Babies may begin pulling up to stand, cruising along furniture, waving, copying sounds or gestures, picking up small pieces of food, and understanding simple words.
Try this: Encourage safe movement, name familiar objects, read together, and practice simple games like waving and clapping.
12–18 Months
Toddlers may begin taking independent steps, pointing to things they want, using a few words, following simple directions, and copying everyday actions.
Try this: Let your child practice walking in a safe area, offer simple choices, and keep talking and reading together every day.
Simple Ways to Support Development
- Talk and sing to your baby often.
- Read together every day, even with very young babies.
- Give your baby safe floor time to move and explore.
- Respond to your baby's sounds, smiles, and gestures.
- Offer age-appropriate toys with different textures, shapes, and sounds.
- Keep screen use limited and prioritize face-to-face interaction and play.
Development Is Not a Race
Milestones are general guides, not deadlines. Some babies reach skills earlier or later than others. Premature babies may also reach milestones on a different timeline.
When to Talk With Your Child's Healthcare Provider
If you are worried about how your baby is moving, communicating, hearing, seeing, feeding, interacting, or learning, bring it up with your child's healthcare provider. Also speak with them if your child loses a skill they previously had.
The CDC offers milestone checklists and a free Milestone Tracker app to help families follow development from infancy through early childhood.
Important: This page is for general information and does not replace developmental screening or medical advice from your child's healthcare provider.