It's hard to believe that a little baby can grow so fast in the first year of life! In just 12 short months, your little one will have accomplished a lot - from learning how to roll over to take their first steps. As a parent, it's important to be aware of the different milestones your baby should reach during their first year. This will help you monitor their development and ensure they are on track for healthy growth. This blog post will discuss some milestones your baby should reach during their first year!

1 To 3 Months

Focus Their Eyes On Things 12 Inches Away

Your baby's vision will be blurry during the first few weeks of life. They will start to focus their eyes on things that are about 12 inches away from them. This is when they will start to track moving objects with their eyes.

If you move a toy back and forth in front of your baby, you should see them following it with their eyes. If you don't see this happening, talk to your doctor as it could be a sign of a vision problem.

Additionally, your baby's color vision will develop during this time, so they will start to notice colors other than black, white, and gray.

Side To Side Head Movement When Lying Down

When your baby is about a month old, they should be able to move their head from side to side when they are lying down. This is because their neck muscles are getting stronger.

If you try to pull your baby's head up from their chest, they should be able to hold it up for a few seconds before it falls back down.

You can help your baby develop their neck muscles by giving them "tummy time" every day. Tummy time is when you put your baby on their stomach while they are awake and supervised.

Just make sure that you are always close by in case they need your help.

Smile At People

Your baby will start to smile at people around the age of two months. This is their way of showing they are happy and content.

If you see your baby smiling, make sure to smile back! This will help them feel loved and supported.

Additionally, your baby may start to coo and make other sounds around this time. This is their way of communicating with you and others.

Make sure to respond to your baby's coos and sounds, so they know you are listening.

As your baby develops their social skills, they will also start to show interest in other babies and children. This is a normal part of the development and should be encouraged!

4 To 6 Months

Roll Onto Their Tummies And Back

Look out for when your baby rolls onto their stomach and back at around four months old. This is a big milestone as it means they are developing the muscles needed for crawling.

Crawling is an important milestone as it helps your baby develop coordination and strength. Additionally, it allows them to explore their environment and learn about the world around them.

Encourage your baby to keep moving by giving them plenty of "tummy time" and providing them with toys that encourage movement.

Copy Sounds They Hear

During the fourth or fifth month, your baby will start to copy sounds they hear. This is their way of learning how to talk.

You may notice your baby-making sounds like "ba" or "da" as they try to imitate the people around them.

Make sure to respond to your baby's imitations, so they know you are listening. Additionally, try to expose them to a variety of sounds and words to continue developing their language skills.

Bring Objects To Their Mouths

As your baby explores their world, they will also start to put everything they can find into their mouths. This is because they are curious and want to learn about the objects around them.

While it is normal for babies to put things in their mouths, you should ensure that the objects are safe and clean. Additionally, try to provide your baby with toys that are specifically designed for teething.

These toys will help soothe their gums and provide them with a safe way to explore their world.

7 To 9 Months

Via Pexels

Your baby will continue to develop rapidly during the seventh, eighth, and ninth months. Some of the milestones you can expect to see during this time include:

Sit On Their Own

At around seven or eight months old, your baby should be able to sit on their own without support. This is a big milestone as it means they are developing the muscles needed for crawling and walking. There are a few ways you can help your baby to achieve this milestone:

• Put them in a sitting position often, using pillows or cushions to support their back.

• Give them plenty of tummy time to strengthen the muscles in their back and neck.

• When they are playing, make sure they have some toys or objects to lean on to practice sitting up.

If your baby cannot yet sit on their own, don't worry. Every baby develops at their own pace, and there is no need to be concerned unless you notice other delays in their development.

Crawl

Crawling is another key milestone in your baby's first year. It usually occurs between seven and ten months, but some babies may start earlier or later. Crawling is important for several reasons:

• It helps your baby develop their coordination and balance.

• It strengthens the muscles in their arms, legs, and back.

• It gives them a chance to explore their environment and learn about the world around them.

There are a few different ways that babies can crawl, so don't worry if your baby doesn't seem to be doing it the "right" way. Some babies will bottom shuffle, others will army crawl, and some will even scoot on their tummies. As long as they are moving forward, they are doing great!

10 to 12 Months

Stand Up And Taking A Few Steps

Around ten to twelve months old, your baby should start pulling themselves up to a standing position. This is another milestone that helps them develop their coordination and balance. It also gives them a chance to practice using their legs, which will be important for walking.

Standing up is the precursor to walking, so you may find that your baby takes a few steps and then falls down. Again, this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you provide plenty of support and encouragement, so they keep practicing.

By twelve months old, most babies are able to take at least a few steps on their own. Walking is an important milestone that helps your baby develop their gross motor skills. It also gives them a sense of independence and confidence.

If your baby is not yet walking, don't worry. Every baby develops at their own pace, and there is no need to be concerned unless you notice other delays in their development.

Bring You A Toy To Play With

Around ten to twelve months old, your baby should start showing an interest in playing with other people. This is a great milestone as it means they are starting to understand that other people have their own thoughts and feelings.

You can encourage this milestone by playing "peek-a-boo" with your baby. This game is simple, but it is a great way to get your baby to interact with you. You can also try playing with toys together or reading books together.

If your baby is not yet showing an interest in playing with others, don't worry. They will eventually catch up, and there is no need to be concerned until later in their development.

In conclusion, there are many milestones your baby should reach in their first year. These milestones, among many others, are important for their development, and they give you a chance to bond with your baby. If you are ever concerned about your baby's development, please speak to a doctor or other healthcare professional.