Baby Development Milestones: 0 to 12 Months

Quick answer: In the first year most babies smile socially around 6–8 weeks, laugh around 4 months, sit unsupported around 6–7 months, babble and start solids around 6 months, then crawl, pull to stand and say first words around 12 months. First steps usually come between 9 and 15 months. These are guidelines, not a checklist; speak to your health visitor if you're unsure.

What parents need to know

The first twelve months of your baby's life are nothing short of extraordinary. In just one year, they go from a newborn who can barely lift their head to a little person who may be walking and saying their first words. Here's what to look out for — and how to support it.

Remember, these milestones are guidelines, not a rigid checklist. Every baby develops at their own pace, and there's a wide range of what's considered normal. If you're ever unsure, your health visitor is your first port of call.

0–3 months

The newborn stage is all about adjustment — for both of you. Key milestones to look out for include:

• Smiling – Social smiles (in response to your face or voice) typically appear around 6–8 weeks.
• Head control – Your baby will begin lifting their head during tummy time.
• Tracking – Following faces and high-contrast objects with their eyes.
• Responding to sound – Turning towards familiar voices.
• Cooing – First vocalisations beyond crying, usually from around 6 weeks.

3–6 months

Things start getting exciting. Your baby is becoming more interactive and more fun to be around.

• Laughing – One of the best sounds in the world, usually appearing around 4 months.
• Rolling – Most babies start rolling tummy to back first, then back to tummy.
• Reaching and grasping – Intentionally grabbing toys and objects.
• Holding head steady – Good head control when upright.
• Recognising familiar faces – Your baby knows you and shows it.

6–9 months

This is often the stage parents describe as their favourite. Your baby's personality is really starting to emerge.

• Sitting unsupported – Usually around 6–7 months.
• Babbling – Consonant-vowel combinations like "ba-ba" and "ma-ma" begin.
• Solid foods – NHS guidance recommends starting solids at around 6 months.
• Object permanence – Beginning to understand that things exist even when out of sight (hello, peek-a-boo!).
• Stranger anxiety – Your baby may become wary of unfamiliar faces — perfectly normal at this stage.

9–12 months

The final stretch of the first year brings some of the biggest milestones yet.

• Crawling or shuffling – Moving independently around the room.
• Pulling to stand – Using furniture to haul themselves upright.
• Cruising – Walking along furniture.
• Pincer grip – Picking up small objects between finger and thumb.
• First words – Usually around 12 months, though some babies take a little longer.
• Pointing – A key communication milestone, showing they want to share attention with you.
• First steps – Some babies walk by their first birthday, but 9–15 months is the normal range.

How to support your baby's development

The most important thing you can do is simply engage with your baby. Talk to them constantly, even before they can respond. Read to them from the very beginning. Get on the floor for tummy time and play. Respond to their cries and their smiles. All of this stimulation shapes their brain development in ways that matter far more than any toy or gadget.

Frequently asked questions

When do babies start smiling?

Social smiles, given in response to your face or voice, typically appear around 6 to 8 weeks. If your baby isn't smiling by 8 weeks, the NHS recommends speaking to your GP or health visitor.

When should a baby start walking?

Some babies take their first steps by their first birthday, but 9 to 15 months is the normal range. Before walking, most babies pull to stand and cruise along furniture.

When should I speak to a GP or health visitor about my baby's development?

The NHS recommends speaking to your GP or health visitor if your baby isn't smiling by 8 weeks, isn't making eye contact, can't hold their head up by 3–4 months, isn't babbling or pointing by 12 months, or loses skills.

How can I support my baby's development at home?

Engage with your baby: talk to them constantly, read to them from the beginning, get on the floor for tummy time and play, and respond to their cries and smiles. This matters far more than any toy or gadget.