Baby Milestones

Baby milestones & special moments, first words

Your new baby's first year is like a roller-coaster ride... thrilling at times, but with the odd anxious moment thrown in. As your baby grows, she becomes a little person in her own right and from her first coos to first words and first steps, she'll meet a whole range of magic milestones.

Here is a month-by-month guide to help you make sure of catching those very special moments as they happen.

But do remember that all babies develop at different rates, so there's every chance that your baby may reach some of these milestones earlier or later than other babies.

0-12 Months

AGE	WHAT YOUR BABY IS DOING	TIPS FOR MUM AND DAD
Newborn	Cries - is soothed by feeding and cuddling.	Don't wish your baby on to the next stage.
4 weeks	Watches you while you're talking and mimics by opening and closing her mouth. Stops crying when you pick her up.	Just enjoy the way your baby is and let her develop at her own pace. It's natural to compare your baby with others.
6 weeks	Smiles at you and follows a mobile with her eyes.	Don't compete with other parents about what your babies can do!
8 weeks	Focuses on nearby objects. Crying starts to diminish.	Take plenty of photographs, as your baby will change very fast this year.
3 months	Squeals and gurgles, swipes cot toys with her hands.	Your baby will pay more attention to what you're saying if you speak to her in a high-pitched, sing-song tone.
4 months	Holds rattle, eats first solid baby food, is able to roll from back on to the front.	Don't leave her lying on the bed once she can roll over.
5 months	Baby is aware of strange situations and people, and will suck toys.	Give her teething rattles to mouth.
6 months	Can sit unsupported and play with her feet.	Prop her up with a v-shaped pillow.
7 months	Begins to feed herself lumpier foods and start reaching for toys.	Offer breadsticks and slices of cooked vegetables.
8 months	Understands the word no. Gets ready to crawl.	Babyproof your home with safety gates before she gets on the move.
9 months	Crawls and dexterity improves.	Place a toy just out of reach to encourage her to crawl.
10 months	Can pull herself to stand, and will join in nursery rhymes with actions.	Play Pat-a-cake to encourage her to clap.
11 months	Cruises around furniture and begins to say her first words.	Speak to her and pause so she can babble back in reply.
12 months	Takes her first steps. First birthday.	Hold her hands to support her while she learns to walk.

13-24 Months

AGE	WHAT YOUR BABY IS DOING	TIPS FOR MUM AND DAD
13 months	May cruise around the furniture, holding on.	Make sure there are no sharp edges or corners at baby head height.
13 months	Unsteadily walking on her own. Examines and explores objects close up. Becoming more skilled at using her hands.	Repeat stories, songs and little games. Her memory isn't developed so she doesn't get bored by repetition.
14 months	May form a strong attachment to comfort items. Eats with gusto, but no manners! Drinking from a cup.	Let him choose what he wants to eat from a selection. Allow him time to experiment with a round-edged spoon.
15 months	Individual style is developing. Can say several simple words. Recognises herself in the mirror.	Arrange her environment to match her temperament helping her to feel most comfortable with her development.
16 months	Enjoys helping around the house. Can point to body parts when asked.	Play games where baby has to point to body parts. Ask simple questions to elicit simple answers. Read together.
17 months	Can help undress himself and learn to clean his teeth with help.	Teach your toddler about manners. Show them that it's best to say "please" and "thank you."
18 months	Will try and kick a ball, enjoys pushing and turning buttons and knobs. Likes to dance to music.	Play her favourite songs. She still loves repetition. Reward good behaviour but not bad behaviour to help encourage your toddler to behave well.
19 months	Can recognise when something is not how it should be, such as a wrong name or a missing part to a favourite object.	Enjoy a joke with your child by deliberately making mistakes in a story or being (safely) clumsy and letting her find out and laugh about it.
20 months	Can climb upstairs by himself and start to run. May explore more intimate parts of his body. There may be some aggressive behaviour such as hitting, biting or pushing.	Help him to walk downstairs. Don't overreact to your child's mistakes or aggressive behaviour. If your child hits someone or something and you hit back, this teaches the child that hitting is acceptable.
21 months	May want to rearrange the furniture and 'help' with housework. Likes to do things her way.	Respect your toddler's preferences and interests by letting her have control over little things. Make it clear that safety and certain bad behaviour is not negotiable.
22 months	Your child will become more dexterous using either the left or right hand.	Allow him time to set goals and watch the outcome of events. Little things become important to him so give him the space to experiment.
23 months	Can compile three word sentences. Understands opposites. Plays more with other children.	Play games with her and join in activities with her. She wants to include you in her learning process.
24 months	Talks about herself, what she likes and doesn't like. Will ask "why?" Sense of self is becoming strong. Second birthday.	Listen to what she is trying to express. Respond to her questions and be patient! Be careful not to overload her with questions of your own. Take it slowly and be simple.

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