Developmental milestones are what many parents think of as “baby book” moments. They include achievements like your baby’s first smile, laugh, wave, word, or steps. Every child is unique and develops at a slightly different pace, but tracking developmental milestones and when they are reached is important. Doing so can help parents identify developmental delays that signal the need for early support. As you look over the milestones listed below, don’t think that they’re “etched in stone” or that there is automatically a concern. Milestones aren’t deadlines.
Types of Developmental Milestones to Track in Children
Developmental milestones fall into the following categories of development:
- Physical Developmental Milestones
- Emotional and Social Developmental Milestones
- Cognitive Developmental Milestones
- Language and Communication Milestones
The Developmental Milestones to Watch for at Each Stage (Birth to Two Years)
Caregivers can track a child’s development, using the following milestones from the CDC.
At Two Months, a Baby Should:
- Move both arms and legs.
- Hold up their head during tummy time.
- Briefly open hands.
- Look at your face.
- Be soothed when held or spoken to.
- Smile when you talk or smile.
- Seem happy to see you.
- React to loud noises.
- Vocalize (other than crying).
- Focus on a toy for several seconds.
- Watch you move.
At Four Months, a Baby Should:
- Hold up their head steadily (while being held) without your support.
- Bring hands to their mouth.
- Use arms to swing at toys.
- Hold onto a toy.
- Push onto their elbows during tummy time.
- Produce a partial laugh (chuckle) in response to something funny.
- Smile for your attention.
- Move, make sounds, or look at you to receive or maintain your attention.
- Coo
- Turn their head toward the sound of your voice.
- Respond with a sound when you talk.
- Open their mouth in response to seeing a bottle or breast.
- Watch their hands with interest.
At Six Months, a Baby Should:
- Roll over from their tummy onto their back.
- Support themself in a sitting position by leaning on their hands.
- Push up with straight arms during tummy time.
- Recognize primary caregivers and family members.
- Laugh
- Look at themself in the mirror.
- Imitates sounds you make.
- Squeal
- Blow raspberries (blow with the tongue out)
- Bring items to their mouth to explore.
- Close lips when no longer hungry.
- Reach for toys.
At Nine Months, a Baby Should:
- Sit up without support.
- Pass items from one hand to the other.
- Use their fingers to “rake” food closer.
- Begin to fear or be shy around strangers.
- Look or react to their name.
- React when you leave.
- Laugh or smile during peek-a-boo.
- Show facial expressions (happy, angry, sad, surprised…)
- Lift arms to ask to be picked up.
- Produce lots of different sounds (bababa, dadadada, or mamamama)
- Bang items togethers.
- Look for dropped items that have fallen out of sight.
At 12 Months, a Baby Should:
- Pull themself into a standing position.
- Walk while holding onto furniture.
- Pick up items with the thumb and pointer finger.
- Drink from a cup with no lid while a caregiver holds it.
- Play games (peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake)
- Wave hello or bye-bye.
- Pause briefly, understanding the word “no.”
- Call parents mama or dada.
- Look for items they see you hide.
- Put items in a container (like blocks into a cup).
At 15 Months, a Baby Should:
- Take their first steps.
- Use fingers to feed themself.
- Show you objects they like.
- Clap when excited.
- Copy other children during play.
- Hug stuffed animals or dolls.
- Show affection.
- Attempt new words in addition to mama and dada.
- Point to ask for something.
- Look at familiar objects when they are named.
- Follow simple directions that are given with gestures and verbally.
- Stack small objects (at least two).
- Try to use common items the right way (book, cup, phone…)
At 18 Months, a Baby Should:
- Walk independently.
- Drink from a cup with no lid.
- Feed themself with their fingers.
- Try to use silverware.
- Climb on and off furniture without help.
- Scribble
- Move away from the caregiver while ensuring that they are nearby.
- Point at objects of interest.
- Look at a book with you.
- Extend arms and hands for them to be washed.
- Lifts feet or pushes arms through sleeves when being dressed.
- Be beginning to say three or more words other than mama and dada.
- Follow simple, one-step, verbal instructions.
- Mimic you doing chores.
- Perform rudimentary play with toys (i.e. walking an action figure or pushing a car).
At 24 Months, a Baby Should:
- Walk up a few stairs without assistance.
- Run
- Eat with a spoon.
- Kick a ball.
- Notice others feeling hurt or upset.
- Watch your face for reactions.
- Recognize and point to pictures in a book.
- Put at least two words together.
- Know at least two body parts.
- Use more complex gestures, like nodding or blowing kisses.
- Hold something in one hand and use the other.
- Play with multiple toys at once.
- Work with the knobs, buttons, zippers, or switches on a toy.
When to Seek Professional Advice
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends professional screening for developmental issues during routine wellness appointments at certain ages (nine, 18, 24, and 30 months).
Any missed milestone, however, is worth discussing with your child’s pediatrician. We recommend tracking milestones with a checklist (such as the CDC’s Milestone Tracker App) and bringing the checklist to your child’s checkup.
Support and Guidance for Every Stage of Your Child’s Development
At Children’s Wellness Center, we are here to support parents while providing exceptional care to children. We welcome you to sign up for our free New Parents Class where you can learn more about developmental milestones and the basics of infant care from an expert.
As always, we welcome you to contact us if you have any questions about developmental milestones and your child’s progress.