from birth to one year old
The important thing to remember when consulting a baby milestone chart is that all babies develop at a different rate. At fourteen months, my daughter knew all the letters of the alphabet but my son still hadn’t said his first word.
Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t manage some of these activities at the stated time. Some skills will be gained earlier than indicated and others may take a while to come.
Your Child Health Record (Red Book) has some useful advice about possible developmental problems and what to look for. Of course, if you are concerned about your baby’s development consult your health visitor or GP for advice.
from birth
Turns head from side to side
Turns towards the sound of your voice
Recognises you
from 2 months
Holds head steady for a few moments
Gurgles and makes other sounds
Smiles at you
from 3 months
Partially controls head
Lifts head and chest when lying on tummy
Focuses both eyes
Swipes arms at objects
Plays with hands
Recognises familiar objects
from 4 months
Kicks legs purposefully
Follows objects with their eyes
Holds a rattle
Puts things in mouth
Rolls over one way
Laughs
from 5 months
Holds head steadily
Reaches for objects
Imitates other babies
Babbles
from 6 months
Rolls from front to back
Pushes up from their front
Explores objects with hands
Grasps objects
Sits up unsupported for a few moments
Responds to name
from 7 months
Moves around on tummy or crawls
Gets anxious with strangers
Takes weight when standing supported
Passes object from one hand to another
Holds two objects at the same time
Plays with feet
from 8 months
Looks for dropped objects
Moves from lying to sitting
Sits unsupported
Babbles with more than one syllable
from 9 months
Looks for dropped objects
Moves from lying to sitting
Sits unsupported
Babbles with more than one syllable
from 10 months
Pulls up to standing
Waves goodbye
Takes a few steps with hands held
Throws objects
Enjoys books
from 11 months
Crawls up the stairs
Moves around holding furniture