Learning About Activities to Help Your Baby Meet Developmental Milestones

Adult Health Library

What are developmental milestones for babies?

Growth and development milestones are things you can expect to see from your baby at different stages. They help you see how your baby is doing compared with other babies at the same age. Milestones are grouped into 4 areas: how your baby interacts with others (social-emotional), how they communicate (language and communication), how they learn (cognitive), and how they move (motor).

Babies often move in a natural and predictable way from one milestone to the next. But each baby grows and gains skills at their own pace. Some babies may be ahead in one area but behind in another. This is normal.

If your baby is meeting milestones, their development is on track. They may need some extra help if they keep missing milestones or reaching one but then losing that new ability. You can give them that help. So can your baby’s doctor or a specialist.

What milestones happen in the first 12 months?

Here’s about what you can expect at different stages in your baby’s first year:

3 months: Your baby can start to control their head movements. They can start doing tummy time to help strengthen their head and neck muscles.
4-6 months:Your baby can control and balance their head, neck, and trunk. They may play with their hands and reach or grasp at objects. They’re becoming more coordinated and may roll over on purpose. They may sit with their hands balanced in front of them (tripod).
6-9 months: Your baby’s sight starts to improve. They have more motor control. Their leg and trunk coordination starts to develop. They may start to sit alone with control. Some babies may begin to crawl or pull to stand.
9-12 months:Your baby may use their thumb and index finger to pinch smaller objects. Your baby may crawl and stand as they gain even more coordination and control over large muscles. Your baby may hold onto objects and begin to “cruise” to practice walking. They may start to walk around 9 to 15 months.

What are the benefits of helping your baby with their milestones?

The benefits of helping your baby meet developmental milestones include:

Learning new skills. This helps your baby learn and grow in many ways during their first year.
Practicing how to move and control their body. Your baby gets stronger and can coordinate their movements better.
Creating a bond between you and your baby. It’s extra time you get to spend together.
Developing social skills, vision, and strength.

How can you help your baby with their milestones?

You can help your baby by playing games and getting them into different positions. Here are some ideas.

On the back

While your baby is on their back, talk to them or get their attention. Try to get them to move their head to the front and sides. This helps develop social skills, vision, and strength. Here's how to do it:

On the floor. Lay your baby on their floor and hold toys in front of them. This will encourage them to bring their hands to the middle of their body.
In your lap. While you're sitting, lay your baby on your legs. Support their head and neck with your knees.

On the side

This helps your baby practice head strength and movement in a different position. This will help your baby bring their hands forward and to their mouth. It allows them to explore surfaces with their fingers and toes. Here's how to do it:

On the floor. Lay your baby on their side, so their hips are stacked and shoulders are stacked. Give them time with this position on both sides.
On the floor with props. Try placing a rolled up towel behind their back to help them stay in position. Toys can be helpful to direct their attention and help them practice reaching.

On the tummy

This is also called “tummy time.” It helps strengthen your baby’s neck, back, and arms. For safety, keep your eyes on your baby at all times when they’re doing tummy time. Here's how to do it:

On the floor. Place your baby on the floor on their tummy. They’ll learn how to lift their head and prop up in their forearms. Try using a rolled up towel under their chest with their arms over the blanket. Later, they’ll learn to push up with their arms straight.
In your arms. Hold your baby and place them on your chest. They should be facing over your shoulder. Talk and sing to your baby, encouraging them to lift their head.
In your arms at your shoulder. Hold your baby and place them so their chest is on your shoulder. They can hold their arms around your shoulder for support. Stroke the back of their neck and back to encourage them to lift their head. This position gives them more of a strength and balance challenge.

Sitting with support

This helps with head control and strengthening the neck, stomach, and back. It helps your baby practice balancing. Here's how to do it:

Chest support. Help your baby into a sitting position and hold them around their chest. Let them lean forward, so their shoulders are in front of their hips.
Trunk support. As they get older and have more control, support them lower around their trunk or hips. This gives them more of a challenge.

Standing with support

This helps build strength in your baby’s back, hip, and leg muscles. It also gives them a chance to practice balance. Here's how to do it:

Trunk support. Support your baby’s trunk as they stand. Help them keep their hips behind their ankles and feet flat on the floor.
Chest and bottom support. You can also support your baby by holding their chest with one hand and bottom with the other. This gives them more of a challenge.