Back to guidesDevelopmental Milestones — gentle baby care guidance for new parents

Developmental Milestones

What to expect from 0–3 months, 4–6 months, and 7–12 months.

1. 0–3 months

  • Social: smiles by 6 weeks, begins to make eye contact.
  • Motor: lifts head during tummy time, opens and closes hands, kicks legs.
  • Hearing: startles at loud sounds, turns toward voices.
  • Vision: tracks faces and objects, prefers high-contrast patterns.

2. 4–6 months

  • Social: laughs out loud, enjoys looking at themselves in a mirror.
  • Motor: rolls tummy-to-back, pushes up on arms, reaches for toys.
  • Communication: babbles with consonants, responds to their name.
  • Feeding: shows interest in food, may sit with support.

3. 7–12 months

  • Motor: sits without support, crawls, pulls to stand, may cruise furniture.
  • Communication: waves, claps, says 'mama' or 'dada' meaningfully, understands 'no'.
  • Cognitive: looks for hidden toys, explores objects by banging and dropping.
  • Social: shows stranger anxiety and forms strong attachments.

When in doubt, ask a professional

This guide is for general information only. If you're worried about your baby's health or feeding, speak with your GP, health visitor, or paediatrician.