As parents, it’s natural to be curious about our baby’s development and milestones. From their first smile to their first step, every little achievement is worth celebrating. But what are the typical milestones of a baby from 0 to 36 months? And when should you be concerned?
Let’s take a look at the key milestones your baby will likely reach during the first three years of their life:
0-3 Months:
During these initial months, your baby will be mainly sleeping and feeding. However, they will also begin to display some important social and physical developments, including:
Responding to sounds and voices
Following objects with their eyes
Smiling and cooing
Lifting their head briefly during tummy time
Grasping objects when they are placed in their hands
3-6 Months:
As your baby begins to get more comfortable with their environment, you will likely see them becoming more interactive and responsive. Key milestones during this period include:
Rolling over from their stomach to their back
Sitting up with support
Recognizing familiar faces and responding with a smile
Reaching out to grab objects
Responding to their name
6-9 Months:
By this point, your baby will have developed better head control and will be more mobile. They will also be communicating in their own unique way, and may reach the following milestones:
Sitting up without support
Crawling or scooting on their stomach
Pulling themselves up to stand with support
Babbling and trying to imitate sounds
Using gestures such as waving or clapping
9-12 Months:
Your baby will be developing at a rapid pace during this period, both physically and cognitively. They will be more curious about their surroundings and may hit the following milestones:
Standing without support
Taking their first steps or walking with support
Saying their first words
Understanding simple instructions
Pointing to objects they want
12-18 Months:
Your baby will be exploring the world more actively during this period and their communication skills will improve significantly. Key milestones during this stage include:
Walking independently
Saying several words
Pointing to body parts when prompted
Playing more actively with toys
Using simple phrases like “more milk please”
18-24 Months:
As your toddler becomes more confident and independent, you may see them developing a stronger sense of self. They may also display the following milestones:
Running and jumping
Using simple sentences
Engaging in imaginative play
Sorting objects by color or shape
Beginning to recognize themselves in the mirror
24-36 Months:
By this point, your toddler will have made significant progress in their language and cognitive development. They will be more confident in their movements and may hit these milestones:
Talking in sentences and asking questions
Riding a tricycle or balance bike
Pretending to play with toys
Dressing themselves with minimal help
Following simple rules and routines
When to be concerned:
While every child develops at their own pace, there are some red flags to watch out for. If your baby does not reach any of the above milestones by the specified ages, it may be a cause for concern. Some other signs to watch out for include:
Difficulty with basic movements such as crawling or sitting up
Delayed speech or language development
Unresponsiveness to social cues
Lack of curiosity or interest in their surroundings
Loss of previously acquired skills
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