Baby Milestones: What to Expect (and When to Check In) in the First Year

Watching your baby grow is one of the best parts of parenting. One day they’re smiling at you, and the next they’re babbling, crawling, or taking their first steps. But how do you know if they’re developing on track?

Developmental milestones are skills or behaviors that most children, typically 75% or more, achieve by a certain age. While some children reach milestones earlier and others later, both can fall within a range of typical development. Every child is unique, but knowing what to look for can help you feel more confident and let you know when it might be time to ask for help.

At Blueberry Pediatrics, we’re here to support you through every stage of your baby’s growth. Dr. Casey Sommerfeld, a board-certified pediatrician practicing in a busy urgent care setting and mom of two, helps guide our approach to baby development. We also follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, the gold standard in child development, to reflect the most current research. 

Baby Milestones: 0–3 Months

In the first three months, babies adjust to the world around them. You’ll start to see more alertness, early smiles, and the first signs of control over their bodies.

Motor Skills

Most babies in this stage:

• Lift their head briefly during tummy time
• Bring hands to their mouth
• Move arms and legs more smoothly
• Begin to follow objects with their eyes
  

Social and Emotional

Babies this age often:

• Smile socially by around 2 months
• Enjoy looking at faces
• Calm with a familiar voice or touch
• Show different reactions when sleepy, hungry, or overstimulated

Communication

You may notice your baby:

• Cooing or making simple vowel sounds
• Turning toward sounds
• Quieting or becoming alert to your voice
• Using different cries for different needs

Reach out if your baby:

• Doesn’t respond to sounds
• Isn’t following objects with their eyes
• Feels very stiff or very floppy
• Hasn’t shown any social smiling by 3 months

Baby Milestones: 3–6 Months 

Between 3 and 6 months, babies become more alert, active, and social. You may start seeing bigger smiles, stronger movements, and new ways of connecting with the world around them.

Motor Skills 

Most babies in this stage:

• Can hold their head steady without support
• Push up on their arms during tummy time
• Reach for and grab toys or objects
• May begin to roll from tummy to back
  

Social and Emotional 

Babies this age often:

• Enjoy playing with people and may cry when the fun stops
• Recognize familiar faces and begin to show preferences
• Express happiness with smiles, coos, and excited movements
  

Communication 

You may notice your baby:

• Babbling more, with sounds like “bah” or “goo”
• Using different cries for different needs
• Responding to their name or a familiar voice with movement or sounds
  

When to Reach Out to a Pediatrician:

• Is not making any sounds or vocalizations by 6 months
• Has trouble holding their head up
• Doesn’t respond to people or smile at familiar faces

Baby Milestones: 6–12 Months 

This is when things really start moving! Between 6 and 12 months, many babies go from sitting to crawling to pulling themselves up, and they often become more expressive, curious, and chatty.

Motor Skills 

Most babies during this stage:

• Sit up without help
• Crawl or scoot around on the floor
• Pull to stand or cruise along furniture
• Use fingers to pick up small objects (like puffs or toys)
  

Social and Emotional 

At this age, you might see your baby:

• Show stranger anxiety or clinginess around new people
• Play simple games like peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake
• Laugh more often and imitate facial expressions

Communication 

Many babies 6–12 months:

• Say simple sounds like “mama” or “dada” (though not always with meaning yet)
• Use gestures like pointing or waving
• Respond to their name and familiar words

Pro Tip: Narrate your baby’s day in short, clear sentences—“Time to change your diaper!” or “Let’s go outside!” This helps with both bonding and language development.

Let your pediatrician know if your baby:

• Isn’t sitting on their own by 9 months
• Doesn’t try to move toward things they want
• Hasn’t said any clear sounds or shown interest in communicating

Every baby grows in their own way, but if something feels off, trust your instincts. Blueberry pediatricians are here 24/7 to answer your questions and support your family’s journey through every stage of development.

Supporting Growth Together Tracking baby milestones doesn’t mean watching the clock or comparing your child to others. It’s about noticing the little signs of growth and feeling empowered to ask questions when something feels off.

At Hello Nanny!, we know that great caregivers are partners in every stage of a child’s growth. That’s why we love recommending Blueberry Pediatrics—a service that offers 24/7 access to board-certified pediatricians. They’re here to support you with milestone check-ins, developmental concerns, or just those “is this normal?” questions that pop up along the way.

FAQs About Baby Milestones 

How do I know if my baby is reaching milestones on time? 

Every baby is different. Use the general timelines as a guide, but talk to your pediatrician if you have questions.

Are delays always a cause for concern? 

Not always. Some delays are temporary or tied to individual development. But early support can make a big difference.

Who should I talk to if I’m concerned about development? 

Start with your pediatrician. Services like Blueberry Pediatrics can give you quick, expert answers and peace of mind 24/7.

Should my nanny watch for milestones too? 

Yes! Nannies are often the first to spot changes or patterns. Make milestone tracking a shared part of your care routine.

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Dr. Casey Sommerfeld attended the University of Florida, where she received both her B.S and medical degree. She completed her residency at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sommerfeld is board certified in Pediatrics and practices in a busy pediatric urgent care center. In her free time she enjoys working out, reading, cooking/baking and spending time with her husband and two young children.

Learn more about Dr. Sommerfeld and Blueberry Pediatrics at www.blueberrypediatrics.com