The Ultimate Baby Milestone Tracker: What to Expect From 0–12 Months (and How to Support Every Stage)

If you’re the proud new parent of a newborn, chances are you’ve wondered at some point, “Is my baby doing what they’re supposed to be doing?” 

Maybe you’ve compared notes with another parent or scrolled through milestone charts late at night looking for reassurance.

Hey, maybe that’s why you're here right now (welcome in, sit down, pull up a chair)!

Don’t worry, you’re not weird. It's all a parental right of passage. Feeling self conscious when they’re falling behind – or taking all the credit when they appear to demonstrate mastery (“it’s just in the genes, I guess”). 

Here’s the good news: baby milestones aren’t about checking boxes or keeping up with anyone else’s child. They’re simply helpful guidelines that show how babies tend to grow, move, and interact with the world during their first year.

In this piece, we're going to walk through baby milestones from birth to twelve months, and offer some simple, realistic ways to support development during everyday routines. 

No pressure. No perfection. Just progress.

We’re lucky at Busy Baby, because we’ve had a lot of experience doing this (babies are kinda our thing). And we’ve got some friends in the know.

This guide relies on advice from Busy Baby contributors, such as Sarah Schlichter – RDN,MPH dietician and recipe writer on her blog Bucket List Tummy along with Kelly Sullivan – Pediatric Occupational Therapist from Kean University with over a decade of experience working with families.

These ladies know their stuff, and we’re lucky to have their input. 

In the first couple of months, babies are adjusting to life outside the womb. 

“What is this strange new place?”

Most are beginning to lift their heads briefly during tummy time, reacting to loud sounds, and making early eye contact. 

You may also notice the first social smiles starting to appear (“hey there cutie!”).

At this stage, development is best supported through gentle interaction. Short tummy time sessions on the floor help build early neck and upper body strength, while talking and singing during diaper changes or feedings support early communication skills.

It may be hard to sing and smile while taking in a nasty diaper change, but listen, it’s all worth it in the end. 

Simple, high-contrast toys and face-to-face connection are often more than enough.

This is also a great time to establish a habit of floor play. A wipeable play surface can make it easier to let your baby explore safely, even during quick play sessions between naps.

A good silicone placemat could be one of your first purchases to help aid in development (and contain the seemingly endless flow of spit and spills). 

We know you’ve got options when you’re eyeing out the best silicone placemat – and we don’t shy away from the competition. 

The Busy Baby Original Mat has elite suctioning – our tether system, incorporated into the product itself, and portability of the mat makes it the secret to our Shark Tank success. 

Too big? Consider Mini Mat for all the benefits at a smaller size and price point. 

If you want to zoom in on this newborn-to-three-month phase, check out our birth to three month guide, written by Busy Baby contributor and Pediatric Occupational Therapist Katherine Sherrard.

Between three and four months, many babies gain better head control and start reaching for objects. 

You’ll likely hear more cooing, giggles, and expressive sounds as your baby begins experimenting with their voice.

Offering toys just within reach encourages hand-eye coordination, while textured items like non-toxic teethers help babies learn through touch. 

Floor time continues to be essential here, especially as babies begin rolling and pivoting their bodies.

Items like the Busy Baby 2-in-1 Teether and Training Spoon allow for exploration and hand eye coordination practice during mealtime. 

This is a wonderful phase for interactive play. 

Responding to your baby’s sounds and narrating your daily routines helps build early language skills and strengthens the connection.

Around five to six months, many babies begin rolling both ways, sitting with support, and bringing everything straight to their mouths. 

“I don’t care what it is, I’m going to lick it.”

This is a big sensory phase, and exploration often looks messy.

As babies prepare for solids, they benefit from opportunities to safely explore food, utensils, and textures. Allowing your baby to participate during mealtimes builds confidence and motor skills, even if very little food is actually eaten at first.

Consider starting on solid foods – whether you keep them on formula, stick to breast feeding, switch to purees, or begin baby led weaning, trying new things is encouraged. 

See our guide on starting solids if your baby seems ready to step into the mealtime scene (and you’re prepared for the chaos). 

Busy Baby Travel Tether Bib + Utensils are perfect during early feeding to help reduce frustration for both baby and parent while encouraging independence. 

This is also a great time to revisit tummy time and supported sitting to strengthen those core muscles.

By seven to eight months, many babies are sitting independently and starting to move across the floor in their own way – whether that’s crawling, scooting, or rolling with determination. 

You may notice more purposeful use of both hands and increased curiosity about how things work.

Gross motor milestones start to take center stage, and it’s fun to watch them zoom around the living room. 

Creating a safe space for movement is key at this phase. Babies learn best when they’re free to explore without constant interruption. Floor play, problem-solving toys, and opportunities to practice self-feeding all support growing independence.

By this age, your baby should be getting into forks and spoons – but what if that’s not really what you’re seeing?

This exact thing happened to Brooke Boruff, OTR/L, specializing in baby development and founder of Infant Insights, when, straight up, her baby refused to use utensils.

Brooks' story is a great reminder that it’s not a competition, nobody’s perfect, and all babies are different. 

If your baby is anything like Brook’s, seemingly uninterested in forks and spoons, there are great ways to teach babies how to use utensils. 

Seven to eight months is also often when parents notice how helpful small schedules can be.

Routine, routine routine. 

Sitting down together for meals or a set playtime provides consistency while allowing babies to practice emerging skills at their own pace.

Between nine and ten months, babies are often pulling themselves up to stand, cruising along furniture, and developing a pincer grasp using their thumb and forefinger. 

You may also see clapping, waving, and strong reactions to familiar people (“hey, that’s grandma!”).

Fine motor development can be supported through everyday activities like picking up small (safe) food pieces or manipulating toys that require grasping and releasing. 

Encourage independence (while perhaps limiting back pain) by incorporating Bottle Bungees and Toy Bungee Tethers. Attach them to your Busy Baby Mat, stroller, or infant car seat – check out how parents are using Busy Baby products to help survive grocery shopping with baby. 

Naming objects and actions throughout the day supports language growth and helps babies make sense of their environment.

At this stage, many parents appreciate products that keep babies engaged while allowing them to practice independence, especially during meals and outings. 

Secure, familiar tools help babies focus on learning rather than frustration. If they’re into it and it’s helping them grow, try not to switch it up. 

There are tons of ways to enhance hand-eye coordination and develop upper extremities – and by the one year mark you should be seeing some of those results. 

As babies approach their first birthday, many begin taking first steps, saying a few words, and communicating more intentionally through pointing and gestures. 

Their personalities become more apparent, and their desire to do things independently grows stronger.

Supporting this stage means offering encouragement without rushing the process. Celebrating attempts, talking through routines, and allowing space for exploration help babies gain confidence as they transition into toddlerhood.

This is also a great time to reflect on how far your baby has come. The tiny moments of practice throughout the year truly add up!

It’s important to remember that milestones are averages, not deadlines. Some babies walk early but talk later.

Others focus on language before movement. Personality, environment, and opportunity all play a role in development.

If you ever notice ongoing delays or feel concerned, reaching out to your pediatrician is always appropriate. Asking questions early can provide reassurance or guidance when needed.

Supporting your baby’s development doesn’t require complicated activities or constant stimulation. Some of the most impactful moments happen during floor play, mealtimes, diaper changes, and quiet connection.

Creating spaces where babies can safely explore — whether that’s during recreation or feeding — allows them to practice skills naturally. 

Pediatric Occupational Therapist Kelly Sullivan believes the Busy Baby lineup of products can be assistive technologies, useful and therapeutic even after the newborn phase. 

Tools designed to reduce frustration and promote independence are the goal – to help parents step back and let babies lead, which is where so much growing happens.

The best developmental tools are often times the simplest – floor time, safe hands-on exploration, and some type of routine.

We hope you consider joining the Busy Baby family, and discover why Busy Baby products are approved by occupational therapists and used by parents all over the map. 

Your baby is learning every day, even when progress isn’t obvious. 

Development isn’t linear, and growth often comes in quiet spurts before big leaps.

Trust the process. Celebrate the small wins. And remember that showing up consistently matters more than doing everything “perfectly.”

You’re doing important work — one milestone at a time.