Your baby's first year is full of magical moments and "wait, is this normal?" questions. From those first sleepy smiles in soft newborn essentials to their triumphant first steps, we're breaking down what to expect each month. Consider this your month-by-month baby milestones guide — with expert guidance from Dr. Lindsey Sandys, a pediatric occupational therapist and specialist in all things newborn development. First, let’s learn a little more about her!
Give us a little intro! Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and what led you to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist?
Hi, I'm Dr. Lindsey Sandys, a pediatric occupational therapist and mom to a curious, silly 16-month-old little boy. I started Koa Pediatric Therapy after navigating my own postpartum journey and realizing how little hands-on support there is for development in the first three years of life. These early years are so important, but parents are often left figuring it out alone!
What’s one thing you wish every new parent knew about infant development in the first year?
How important movement is! It’s truly the foundation for so many other skills to come. Things like tummy time, rolling, and crawling help build strength, coordination, and even support things like attention, handwriting, and learning down the road!
How do you recommend parents balance milestone checklists with the understanding that “every baby develops at their own pace”?
I encourage parents to use milestone checklists as helpful guides — not rigid rules. Every baby truly does develop at their own pace. What's most helpful is comparing your baby to their own progress over time. That said, if an expected skill hasn't started to emerge within about two months of when you'd typically expect it, it's a good idea to check in with a professional.
Are there any “myths” about baby milestones that you'd love to debunk?
Yep! First, crawling is an important milestone. Even though some babies go straight to walking, crawling helps build coordination, core strength, and motor planning. Second, it’s not okay to skip tummy time if your baby doesn’t like it. Tummy time is essential for developing head control, shoulder strength, and the foundation for rolling, crawling, and sitting. If your baby hates tummy time, it's best to see an OT/PT who specializes in infant care.
Now, let's take a journey through your little one's first year! We asked Dr. Sandys our most pressing questions for each month, from sitting up to learning to crawl. Her answers were helpful, comprehensive, and even a little surprising!
1 Month Old Baby: Sensory Exploration
Your baby’s world is brand new — and right now, their main “job” is to connect through their senses. In this first month, your little one begins recognizing familiar voices, especially yours, and may calm when they hear you or feel your touch. Vision is still fuzzy, but they can focus best on faces about 8–12 inches away — roughly the distance from your chest to your face during feeding. Simple routines like gentle talking, singing, and skin-to-skin cuddles help wire their developing brain for connection and security (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2024; CDC Infant Development Guidelines, 2024).
Little Sleepies: How can I tell if my newborn is starting to recognize my voice or face?
Dr. Sandys: First year baby development begins right away as they start to recognize you. In the first 2 weeks, they’re sensitive to sounds and may calm down when they hear your voice, though their focus and eye contact are brief because their vision is still developing.
What types of sensory experiences are best for supporting early brain development in their first month?
The best sensory experience for supporting your baby’s early brain development is you — your voice, your touch, your face. Talking softly, singing, gentle skin-to-skin contact, and making eye contact during feeding or cuddling all provide important sensory input.
2 Month Old Baby: Tummy Time & Sweet Smiles
By two months, your baby is getting stronger and more social. Those early smiles aren’t just gas anymore! Regular tummy time sessions strengthen neck and shoulder muscles while supporting motor control that lays the groundwork for rolling and crawling later on.
You’ll also start seeing more focused eye contact and early cooing as they experiment with sounds. Social smiles appearing around 6–8 weeks show your baby is beginning to recognize and respond to you — a big emotional and neurological leap (Harvard Center on the Developing Child, 2023; Zero to Three Milestone Guide, 2024).
Little Sleepies: How much tummy time is enough tummy time?
Dr. Sandys: I would shoot for 2-3 minutes several times a day. At this age, you'll probably notice your baby starting to lift and turn their head during tummy time which is a big win for muscle strength and control! You can do tummy time on the floor, snuggles on your chest, or even in your lap. Variety keeps it interesting!
LS Tip: We love using our Mini Cloud Blankets for tummy time! With soft sherpa on one side and prints to match their jammies on the other, choose from fuzzy or silky and let your little one explore different textures as they stretch, lie, and gaze at the world around them.
When should I expect my baby to start smiling, and what does it mean when they do?
Around 6 to 8 weeks, you’ll start to notice smiles happening in response to things they see or hear, like your voice or face. When your baby smiles, it means they’re starting to engage socially and recognize you. It’s a wonderful sign that their brain and emotions are developing and that they’re building that special bond with you.
3 Month Old Baby: Brain-Body Connection
This month, your baby starts syncing movement and mind. Every kick, stretch, and giggle is helping wire their nervous system. Around this stage, vision sharpens and color perception improves, so bright, high-contrast toys or your smiling face are irresistible.
As they wave arms and kick legs, they’re building the muscle memory and neural pathways that support later milestones like rolling, crawling, and even handwriting (Cleveland Clinic, 2023; American Occupational Therapy Association, 2024). It’s an exciting phase where movement equals learning, and every wiggly moment matters!
Little Sleepies: How is my baby’s vision developing, and what can I do to encourage it?
Dr. Sandys: Around this time, your baby’s vision is rapidly developing. They begin focusing on objects or faces at different distances, and their ability to track moving objects with their eyes is improving. They will start to see colors more clearly — especially bright, high-contrast patterns!
To encourage their vision, holding your baby close during feeding and play gives them the opportunity to focus on your face and expressions, supporting both their visual and social development.
What’s the connection between movement (like kicking) and brain development this month?
When your baby kicks, stretches, or waves their arms, they’re starting to explore how their body moves in space. These repetitive, self-generated movements help build important neurological pathways between the brain and body.
4 Month Old Baby: Early Expression
Around four months, your baby becomes a little conversationalist in training! They're starting to babble, coo, and respond to your voice with adorable squeals and giggles. This is also when many babies master rolling from tummy to back — a thrilling milestone that marks growing core strength and coordination.
Their curiosity is blossoming too, as they reach for toys with more intention and begin exploring textures with their hands and mouth. These early communication attempts and physical achievements are setting the stage for more complex interactions and movements ahead (Mayo Clinic Infant Development Guide, 2024; Pathways.org Motor Milestone Resources, 2023).
Little Sleepies: How can I encourage early communication, even before babbling begins?
Dr. Sandys: Read, talk, and sing to your baby throughout the day using a warm, expressive voice. Pause to let them "respond," and make lots of eye contact. When your baby coos, smiles, or makes a sound, your responding to them as if they’re talking to you is how communication begins.
How can I encourage rolling?
By helping your baby find their feet while lying on their back! You can gently guide their hands toward their knees or feet. This builds core strength and body awareness, both of which are key for rolling.
5 Month Old Baby: Body Awareness
Your five-month-old is becoming increasingly aware of their own body and how it moves through space. You might notice them grabbing their feet, rocking on their tummy, or doing what looks like tiny swimming motions during playtime. This month is all about building body awareness and understanding how different parts work together.
They're also getting stronger — able to push up on their arms during tummy time and roll with more control. These repetitive movements aren't just cute but are essential for developing the coordination and strength needed for sitting, crawling, and beyond (American Academy of Pediatrics Developmental Milestones, 2024; National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2023).
Little Sleepies: What does it mean if my baby is reaching for and grabbing toys?
Dr. Sandys: This means baby’s hand-eye coordination, motor planning, and body awareness are all coming together. Your baby is learning how to see something they want, plan how to move their body, and then actually reach out and grab it!
Why does my baby look like they’re trying to swim during tummy time?
This is a really positive sign! The Landau reflex helps your baby build important skills like core strength, head and neck control, and postural stability. When your baby lifts their head, chest, and legs during tummy time or when held face-down, they’re strengthening the muscles needed to sit up, roll, and eventually crawl.
6 Month Old Baby: Sitting Up & Solid Foods
Half a birthday means big changes! Many babies begin sitting independently (or with minimal support) around six months, opening up a whole new world of play and exploration. This upright position strengthens their core and frees up their hands for reaching, grabbing, and discovering. It's also a common time to introduce solid foods, which supports oral motor development and sensory exploration.
Your baby's hand-eye coordination is improving rapidly too, making mealtime an adventure of squishing, smearing, and maybe even getting some food in their mouth (CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early., 2024; American Academy of Pediatrics Nutrition Guidelines, 2024).
Little Sleepies: Why is sitting up (with or without support) such a big milestone for development?
Dr. Sandys: Sitting up is a major baby growth milestone as it opens up so many new possibilities. It supports strength in their trunk and neck which helps them control their movements better. Sitting up also helps them learn to shift their weight which is key for things like crawling and reaching.
What’s the best way to introduce solid foods while supporting oral motor skills?
Introducing solid foods is best when your baby shows three key readiness signs: good head and neck control, an upright posture, and bringing their hands to their mouth. These signs mean your baby has the physical skills needed to safely explore food. Introducing textured teethers or teething tubes is a great way for your baby to safely explore different sensations in their mouth and build important oral awareness.
LS Tip: Our super absorbent newborn bibs are perfect for little foodies in the making! With adjustable snaps and a soft terry backing, they come in sweet prints and solids to mix and match with your fave Zippies.
7 Month Old Baby: Curiosity & Cause-and-Effect
Welcome to the age of curiosity! Seven-month-olds are little scientists, testing out how the world works through dropping, banging, and shaking everything they can get their hands on. This exploration isn't mischief — it's brain development in action. They're learning cause-and-effect relationships and developing problem-solving skills with every toy they transfer between hands or knock off the highchair.
You might also notice your baby starting to understand object permanence, realizing that things (and people!) still exist even when hidden. This cognitive leap supports their growing independence and memory skills (Zero to Three Cognitive Development Guide, 2024; Harvard Center on the Developing Child, 2023).
Little Sleepies: How can I support my baby’s growing independence and curiosity through play?
Dr. Sandys: Offer toys that encourage reaching, grasping, and transferring between hands, like blocks, textured balls, or cups. Toys that stack, nest, or have different textures help develop fine motor skills and problem-solving.
What does it mean if my baby is starting to understand cause-and-effect?
It means they’re realizing that their actions can make things happen. For example, when they shake a rattle and hear the sound, or press a button and see a light turn on, they’re learning that their behavior has a direct impact on the world around them. Around this time, babies also begin developing object permanence — the understanding that things still exist even when out of sight.
8 Month Old Baby: Coordination & Object Permanence
Eight months brings impressive coordination and a whole lot of movement! Many babies start crawling, scooting, or finding their own creative ways to get around. This mobility milestone does more than just help them reach toys — it builds essential connections between both sides of the brain, strengthens core muscles, and develops the shoulder stability needed for future skills like writing.
Object permanence solidifies this month too, which explains why peek-a-boo suddenly becomes the most hilarious game ever. Your baby truly understands now that you still exist when you hide behind your hands (Cleveland Clinic Child Development Stages, 2024; American Occupational Therapy Association Pediatric Resources, 2024).
Little Sleepies: What does crawling (or scooting, or rolling!) reveal about physical and cognitive milestones?
Dr. Sandys: Crawling is actually the only time in our lives that we move on all fours, using both our hands and knees together. This unique movement helps build shoulder stability and strengthens the arms, hands, and core muscles, which are essential for later fine motor skills like writing and feeding.
Crawling also encourages cross-body coordination to connect the two sides of the brain, supporting motor planning and cognitive development. Moving on all fours encourages the nervous system to shift from reflex-driven actions to more voluntary, controlled movements. This integration is crucial for smooth, coordinated motor skills as your baby grows.
How can I nurture my baby’s sense of object permanence during everyday routines?
Turn everyday moments into little games and learning opportunities! For example, during diaper changes or getting dressed, try gently hiding a favorite toy under a blanket and then revealing it or playing peek-a-boo. These activities help your baby practice understanding that things still exist even when they’re out of sight (yes, even you!).
9 Month Old Baby: Social Cues & Crawling
Your nine-month-old is becoming quite the social butterfly! Gestures like waving bye-bye, clapping for celebrations, and reaching up to be held show they're understanding social cues and learning to communicate without words. Crawling (or their preferred method of mobility) becomes more confident and purposeful as they navigate toward specific people, toys, or — let's be honest — anything they shouldn't touch.
This combination of physical coordination and social awareness reflects major cognitive leaps, as your baby connects movement with intention and starts understanding how their actions affect others (Mayo Clinic Social-Emotional Development, 2024; Pathways.org Communication Milestones, 2023).
Little Sleepies: How can I help my baby learn to crawl?
Dr. Sandys: One of my favorite ways is simply helping them get on all fours and gently rocking back and forth on a carpeted or non-slip surface. From there, placing a toy just out of reach encourages forward motion and promotes upright posture. Don’t be surprised if baby crawls backwards first — this is very typical!
How do gestures like waving or clapping reflect deeper communication skills?
These show your baby is starting to understand social cues and express themselves without words. When your baby waves “bye-bye” or claps their hands, they’re practicing intentional, meaningful movements that help them connect with you and others. These gestures reflect growing social awareness, memory, and motor planning.
10 Month Old Baby: Growing Attachments
Ten months is when your baby's personality really shines through! They're forming deep emotional bonds and showing clear preferences for familiar faces, which sometimes means separation anxiety makes an appearance. While clingy moments can be challenging, they're actually a healthy sign of secure attachment.
Physically, your baby is probably pulling up to stand, cruising along furniture, and developing the confidence to explore more independently (with you as their safe home base, of course). Fine motor skills are advancing too — they might be working on the pincer grasp, picking up tiny objects between thumb and forefinger (Zero to Three Attachment & Development, 2024; CDC Infant Social-Emotional Growth, 2024).
Little Sleepies: My baby is starting to throw toys. Should I be worried, and how can I encourage this behavior in a positive way?
Dr. Sandys: This is totally normal! Throwing helps them learn cause-and-effect, build hand-eye coordination, arm strength, and motor planning. You can encourage it in a positive way by adding it into play where you place balls into buckets or other containers.
What signs of emotional bonding or attachment might I notice this month?
You might notice your baby seeks comfort from familiar caregivers and may get upset when separated (separation anxiety). This is a healthy sign of their growing attachment to you. Your baby might also show excitement when they see you and prefer you over strangers.
11 Month Old Baby: Building Confidence & “Mirroring”
Almost a year old, and your little one is soaking up everything like a sponge! This month, imitation becomes a favorite pastime as mirror neurons in their brain light up, helping them copy your gestures, sounds, and expressions. They're learning about social interaction by watching and mimicking you — from waving hello to pretending to talk on the phone.
Physically, cruising becomes more confident as they build the leg strength and balance needed for independent walking. Every sideways step along the couch is building their confidence and preparing those little legs for their big debut: first steps (American Academy of Pediatrics Year One Development, 2024; Harvard Center on the Developing Child Social Learning, 2023).
Little Sleepies: How does cruising or pulling to stand set the stage for walking and confidence?
Dr. Sandys: These milestones build the strength, balance, and coordination your baby needs for walking. When your baby pulls up to stand, they’re developing important muscles in their legs and core. Cruising (moving sideways while holding onto furniture) helps them practice weight shifting and balance in a more controlled way.
What’s going on in my baby’s brain when they mimic or imitate me?
Special brain cells called mirror neurons help them watch and copy your actions, almost like their brain is “mirroring” what you do. At the same time, they’re learning that you have feelings and intentions, which helps them understand how to interact with the world.
12 Month Old Baby: First Steps & Exploration
Happy first birthday to your amazing little explorer! Whether they're taking wobbly first steps or still perfecting their crawl, twelve months marks a major milestone in independence and confidence. Walking typically emerges anywhere between 9-18 months, so there's a wide range of normal. What matters most is that your baby is curious, engaged, and continuing to develop at their own pace.
This is also when language starts to bloom — you might hear their first recognizable words alongside lots of babbling "conversations." As they grow more independent, maintaining your emotional connection through responsive interaction, cuddles, and play helps them feel secure enough to explore their expanding world (Mayo Clinic First Year Milestones, 2024; American Academy of Pediatrics Developmental Guidelines, 2024).
Little Sleepies: What should I know about early walking — timing, tips, and developmental impact?
Dr. Sandys: Around 12 months, many babies start taking their first steps, but walking can happen anywhere between 9 and 18 months. To support your little one, provide plenty of safe space where they can explore standing and cruising. Also, encouraging barefoot play whenever possible is great because it helps develop foot muscles and balance.
How can I support my baby’s independence while keeping our connection strong?
Around this age, your little one is eager to explore and try new things, but they still need your love, reassurance, and presence to feel safe. Give them opportunities to explore safely, choose toys or activities, and try things on their own while staying close by to encourage independence in their first year of baby development.
As you navigate these precious milestones, we’re with you every step of the way. We even launched our Newborn Capsule, designed specifically to support new parents with smart features and ultra-soft comfort. Cue the coos and ahhs!
For more expert tips and community support, join our Little Sleepies VIP Facebook group where fellow caregivers share the journey.
Do you have a special milestone memory? Drop it in the comments for a chance to win a $50 LS gift card. We pick one lucky winner each month!
