Congratulations on becoming a new parent! As you embark on this incredible journey of raising a baby, it’s natural to have many questions about what lies ahead. In “Baby’s First Year: What To Expect Month By Month,” we will guide you through each stage of your baby’s development, providing you with valuable insights and essential information to help you navigate the joys and challenges that come with each passing month. From those precious first smiles to those memorable first steps, get ready to embrace the exciting milestones and heartwarming moments that await you in your baby’s first year.
Month 1
Physical development
During the first month of your baby’s life, you can expect to witness significant physical development. At this stage, your little one is still adjusting to the outside world and getting used to their new surroundings. They will primarily spend their time sleeping, eating, and growing rapidly.
Physically, your baby will gradually gain weight, and their body will start to become more robust. Their movements will be limited, and they will mostly remain curled up in a fetal position. You may notice some reflexes such as the Moro reflex or rooting reflex, where they turn their head towards anything that touches their cheek.
Cognitive development
In terms of cognitive development, your baby will be responsive to sounds and some visual stimuli during the first month. They may turn their head towards voices or look in the direction of sounds. It’s fascinating to observe how they start becoming familiar with your voice.
Their eyesight is still developing, and focusing on objects is a challenge for them. However, they can see high-contrast patterns or objects that are held closely around 8-12 inches from their face. This is why many toys for newborns have black and white patterns, helping them stimulate their vision.
Social development
During their first month, your baby’s social development is primarily centered around forming a bond with you, their primary caregiver. Your presence and touch are incredibly comforting to them, and they rely on you for their every need.
Babies at this stage are not yet capable of interacting actively with others, but they will show signs of social engagement through eye contact, following your face with their gaze, and seeking comfort when they’re distressed. Your nurturing and responsive care are crucial for building a sense of security and trust.
Month 2
Physical development
As your baby enters their second month, you’ll observe further developments in their physical abilities. They’ll become more alert and active, trying to lift their head briefly during tummy time or when being held upright. You’ll also notice their limbs gradually becoming less curled up, allowing for more movement.
While their movements remain largely reflexive, the development of their motor skills will become more apparent. They may start swatting at objects within their reach or bringing their hands closer to their mouth. These actions are signs of their growing understanding of cause and effect.
Cognitive development
During the second month, your baby’s cognitive development progresses as they become more aware of their surroundings. They’ll exhibit increased curiosity towards objects and people. You might notice them staring at colorful toys or tracking moving objects with their eyes more smoothly.
They will start recognizing familiar faces, including yours. Your baby may respond differently to various tones of voice, becoming more attentive or soothed by familiar voices. This demonstrates their growing understanding of the world and their desire to explore it.
Social development
In terms of social development, your baby will engage in social interactions more actively during their second month. They will respond to your smiles, coos, and touch, and may even start imitating some of the sounds you make. This is an exciting milestone as it signifies their growing ability to communicate and connect with you.
Make sure to continue providing plenty of loving interactions and responding to their cues. Responding promptly to their needs helps promote an attachment bond and lays the foundation for healthy social development in the future.
Month 3
Physical development
During the third month, your baby will exhibit remarkable progress in their physical development. They will have better head control and be able to lift it for longer periods when on their tummy or being held upright. You may also witness the emergence of their adorable little giggles.
At this stage, your baby’s motor skills will continue to advance. They will start batting at objects with purpose, trying to grasp them. Hand-eye coordination improves as they successfully grab and hold onto toys. Their legs will also become stronger, and they may push down with their feet when placed on a firm surface.
Cognitive development
In terms of cognitive development, your baby’s understanding of cause and effect will become more refined. They will show interest in objects and attempt to manipulate them. They may enjoy shaking a rattle or banging objects together, delighting in the sounds they create.
Their visual acuity will improve, allowing them to track moving objects more smoothly and focus on smaller details. They may also start recognizing themselves in a mirror, which can be a source of fascination and amusement for them.
Social development
During the third month, your baby’s social development takes another leap forward. They will display a greater range of emotions and expressions, such as smiles, laughter, and even moments of frustration. Their social interactions will become more intentional and purposeful.
Your baby will begin to show preferences for familiar faces and may become interested in observing other people’s actions. They will enjoy engaging in simple games like peek-a-boo or imitating your facial expressions. These interactions are essential for nurturing their social skills and fostering a sense of belonging.
Month 4
Physical development
By the fourth month, your baby’s physical development will continue to advance, enabling them to explore their environment more actively. They will gain even more control over their head and neck, being able to hold it steady and look around with greater curiosity.
Motor skills progress as they learn to roll over, initially from belly to back and eventually from back to belly. These developments allow them to access new perspectives of the world around them. They’ll also enjoy playing with their hands and feet, bringing them together and attempting to bring objects to their mouth.
Cognitive development
During the fourth month, your baby’s cognitive development will become more apparent as they engage in a variety of activities and demonstrate their learning abilities. They will enjoy reaching for and grasping objects, improving hand-eye coordination while refining their motor skills.
Your baby will start responding to their name and turn their head towards familiar sounds. They may also react to their own reflection in a mirror and show interest in observing their reflection for more extended periods. Their understanding of cause and effect will become more sophisticated as they explore their surroundings.
Social development
In terms of social development, your baby will become even more responsive and expressive. They will actively seek attention and engage in playful exchanges with you and others. Their smiles and coos will become more intentional, as they attempt to communicate and connect through gestures and vocalizations.
Your baby may also display stranger anxiety, becoming cautious or wary around unfamiliar faces. This is a normal part of their social development and indicates their growing ability to differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar individuals. Continue providing a loving and supportive presence to help them navigate these new experiences.
Month 5
Physical development
During the fifth month, your baby’s physical development will continue to progress, providing them with more mobility and independence. They will have gained even more head control, and they may now be able to sit with support or for brief periods without assistance.
Your baby’s motor skills will become more refined, and their hand-eye coordination will improve significantly. They’ll enjoy exploring objects by picking them up, shaking them, and even dropping them to see the cause and effect. Some babies may also start teething at this stage, chewing on toys or their hands to soothe their gums.
Cognitive development
In terms of cognitive development, your baby’s understanding of the world will expand further. They will exhibit a growing ability to anticipate events and anticipate familiar routines. Your little one may show excitement or recognition when it’s feeding time or when they see their favorite toy.
Their memory will also improve, as they start recognizing objects and people they’ve encountered before. They may recognize their own name and respond with excitement or turn their head towards the sound. Their curiosity and desire to explore their surroundings will continue to grow.
Social development
During the fifth month, your baby’s social development will be characterized by increased engagement with their surroundings and a growing interest in other people. They will show a preference for familiar faces and may start reaching out to touch and interact with others.
Your baby will also become even more responsive to social cues, such as facial expressions and gestures. They may imitate sounds, expressions, or even simple actions. Watching their reactions and interactions will bring joy to your heart as you witness their growing social awareness.
Month 6
Physical development
By the sixth month, your baby’s physical development will have progressed significantly, allowing for newfound independence and mobility. They will exhibit improved head control and will start learning to sit unsupported for more extended periods. Some babies may even start crawling or attempting to move on their own.
Motor skills will continue to develop, and your baby will enjoy exploring toys with their hands. They’ll learn to transfer objects from one hand to the other, developing their dexterity. Their legs will become stronger, enabling them to stand with support and even bounce on their feet.
Cognitive development
During the sixth month, your baby’s cognitive abilities will expand further as their exploration of the world intensifies. Object permanence will begin to develop, meaning they understand that objects exist even when they’re out of sight. This newfound understanding may result in moments of frustration when a desired object is out of reach.
Their babbling will become more purposeful, with more specific consonant sounds and even simple, repetitive syllables. Their ability to recognize familiar faces and objects will become more refined, and they may even show excitement or reach out when seeing something they recognize.
Social development
In terms of social development, your baby will continue to become more interactive and eager to engage in social exchanges. They will engage in turn-taking games, imitating your actions or sounds. Peek-a-boo will become even more exciting, and they may respond with laughter and anticipation.
Your baby will also display a widening range of emotions, from joy and enthusiasm to frustration and, at times, separation anxiety. Their ability to connect emotionally with you and express their needs will continue to grow, making communication between you and your little one more meaningful than ever.
Month 7
Physical development
By the seventh month, your baby’s physical development will have reached new heights, as they become more mobile and active. They may have mastered sitting unsupported and now enjoy exploring their surroundings from an upright position. Some babies may even start to pull themselves up to a standing position while holding onto furniture.
Their hand-eye coordination will continue to improve, and they will become more adept at manipulating objects. They’ll enjoy picking up small objects between their thumb and forefinger, refining their pincer grasp. Their fascination with their own hands and feet will persist, providing hours of entertainment.
Cognitive development
During the seventh month, your baby’s cognitive development will be marked by further growth in their problem-solving abilities. They will begin to understand cause and effect on a more complex level and may experiment with dropping objects from different heights or throwing toys to observe how they land.
Their babbling will become more elaborate, resembling real speech. They may use various tones and inflections to communicate with you and others, trying to express their wants and needs. They may even understand simple words or phrases and respond with actions or gestures.
Social development
Socially, your baby’s interactions will become more dynamic and engaging during the seventh month. They will actively seek your attention and enjoy playing simple interactive games. Peek-a-boo will continue to be a favorite, along with games involving clapping, waving, or imitating sounds.
Your baby’s emotional connections will deepen, and they will show attachment to familiar caregivers. Separation anxiety may become more pronounced as they increasingly recognize and differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar faces. Ensuring a secure and loving environment will help them navigate these emotions.
Month 8
Physical development
During the eighth month, your baby’s physical development will enable them to explore their environment with newfound independence. They’ll become more mobile, perhaps crawling confidently or even attempting to stand without support. Their movements will become more purposeful and coordinated.
Fine motor skills will also progress as they gain greater control over their fingers. They’ll enjoy picking up smaller objects, using their thumb and forefinger to pinch and grasp. Their curiosity will drive them to examine objects closely, often taking them to their mouth for further exploration.
Cognitive development
In terms of cognitive development, your baby’s understanding of cause and effect will become more refined during the eighth month. They will experiment with different actions to observe specific outcomes. For example, they may knock down a tower of blocks to see how they topple.
Their babbling will continue to evolve, approaching a more recognizable form of language. They may say simple words or syllables, and their understanding of language will grow. They’ll respond to familiar commands and gestures, demonstrating their comprehension skills.
Social development
By the eighth month, your baby’s social development will be characterized by their increasing ability to communicate and engage with others. They’ll enjoy babbling animatedly, responding to your conversations and imitating certain sounds or words. Pointing and gesturing will become more intentional, as they try to direct your attention to something of interest.
Your baby will also express their emotions more explicitly, using facial expressions, vocalizations, and body language. They may show excitement, frustration, or even empathy. Engaging in interactive play and responding consistently to their emotional needs will further nurture their social skills.
Month 9
Physical development
During the ninth month, your baby’s physical development will bring about exciting milestones in their mobility and coordination. They may become proficient at crawling, exploring their environment and reaching for objects they desire. Some babies may even start cruising along furniture, taking steps while holding on for support.
Their pincer grasp will continue to improve, allowing them to pick up even smaller objects with more precision. They’ll enjoy stacking toys or exploring containers by putting objects in and taking them out. Their fascination with cause and effect will extend to more complex actions.
Cognitive development
In terms of cognitive development, your baby’s ability to problem-solve and understand patterns will continue to advance during the ninth month. They may attempt to fit objects together, such as stacking cups or placing shapes in the corresponding holes of a sorter toy. Their memory and recognition skills for familiar objects and faces will also grow stronger.
Their communication skills will expand, and they’ll understand more words and simple commands. They may even utter a few recognizable words, although their pronunciation may still be unclear. Their non-verbal communication, such as pointing or gesturing, will become more refined.
Social development
During the ninth month, your baby’s social interactions will flourish as they become more expressive and interactive. They’ll enjoy playing with other children and may even imitate their actions or sounds. You’ll notice their growing ability to express preferences, as they may reach out for specific toys or seek comfort from preferred caregivers.
Your baby will exhibit a greater sense of empathy and understanding of others’ emotions. They may show compassion when they witness someone else crying or respond with laughter to funny situations. Encouraging positive interactions with others and providing support during social interactions will nurture their social development.
Month 12
Physical development
By the twelfth month, your baby’s physical development will have brought them leaps and bounds in terms of their mobility and coordination. Many babies will have started taking their first steps independently, embarking on the exciting journey of walking and exploring the world on their own two feet.
Their fine motor skills will also continue to improve, and they’ll be able to manipulate objects with more precision. They’ll enjoy playing with stacking toys, building towers, and exploring cause and effect through trial and error. Their dexterity will allow them to feed themselves with finger foods and hold a spoon.
Cognitive development
During the twelfth month, your baby’s cognitive abilities will have reached significant milestones. They’ll demonstrate a growing understanding of words and simple instructions, following commands such as “wave goodbye” or “give me a kiss.” Their vocabulary may expand to a few recognizable words or sounds.
They’ll exhibit problem-solving skills, exploring toys and objects in more complex ways. They may use trial and error to figure out how to put shapes into a sorter or assemble simple puzzles. Their curiosity and desire to learn will be evident as they explore their environment and seek opportunities for discovery.
Social development
As your baby reaches their first birthday, their social development will continue to flourish. They’ll show a greater awareness of themselves as individuals, displaying a unique personality and preferences. They’ll seek interaction with others and enjoy playing alongside their peers as they develop social bonds.
Your baby will engage in pretend play, imitating everyday activities or using objects symbolically. They’ll begin to show empathy and understanding of others’ emotions, offering comfort or hugs when someone is upset. Encouraging positive social interactions and providing emotional support will help foster their social development.
As you can see, a baby’s first year is filled with incredible growth and development. Each month brings new discoveries and milestones, both physical and cognitive. By understanding what to expect during each stage, you can actively participate in your baby’s development and provide the love and support they need. Enjoy this remarkable journey as you witness your baby transform from a newborn into a curious and vibrant little individual.
Sandra has over 13 years of experience as a child psychologist, both as a practitioner and researcher. She has a Bachelor's in child psychology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and then she did her master's in Psychology in Education (focused on Children & Families) at Columbia University, NY. She has been writing for health and child-related publications for over 5 years now.
