

{"id":111081,"date":"2025-07-15T06:22:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T06:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=111081"},"modified":"2026-04-22T10:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T10:00:16","slug":"baby-milestones-by-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/parenting\/baby-milestones-by-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Baby Milestones by Month: 12 Big Moments to Watch For"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-111085\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2388145113-1.jpg\" alt=\"Couple holding new born baby \" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those tiny fingers curling around yours, the first gummy smile, the wobbly first steps&hellip;it&rsquo;s incredible how much babies change in such a short time! One day, they&rsquo;re blinking up at you in wonder; the next, they&rsquo;re babbling secrets only they can understand.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every giggle, wiggle, and new skill feels like pure magic&mdash;and sometimes a total mystery, too. If you&rsquo;ve ever caught yourself wondering what&rsquo;s next or worrying if things are &ldquo;on track,&rdquo; you&rsquo;re not alone.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From first smiles to those triumphant first steps, baby milestones by month bring countless &ldquo;wow&rdquo; moments that melt hearts and keep parents on their toes!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-are-baby-developmental-milestones\"><\/span><b>What are baby developmental milestones?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Baby developmental milestones are the exciting skills and behaviors that most babies typically reach around certain ages&mdash;like smiling, rolling over, sitting up, or taking first steps.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They&rsquo;re little markers of how your baby&rsquo;s brain and body are growing and learning to do new things, month after month.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"research_highlight\"><p>According to a research paper published in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK557518\/#:~:text=Developmental%20delays%2C%20such%20as%20speech,brain%20imaging%20should%20be%20considered.\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pediatrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, tracking baby milestones month by month can help spot developmental delays early, allowing for timely support and better long-term outcomes for children<\/p><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These milestones cover different areas, including movement, communication, social skills, and thinking abilities. While it&rsquo;s natural to compare notes with other parents,<\/span><b> remember every baby is unique, and baby milestones by month can happen at slightly different times for each child.&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s all part of the incredible journey of watching your little one grow!<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to psychology expert, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/experts\/jenni-jacobsen\">Dr. Jennifer Schulz<\/a>, &ldquo;Milestones are a guideline for specific physical, social, and cognitive skills that babies and young children should master by a certain age, but they are just a guide, and babies who fall outside of the typical window may still be perfectly healthy.&rdquo; She continues, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s important to consult with your child&rsquo;s primary care provider if you have concerns about their development.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types-of-baby-developmental-milestones-by-month\"><\/span><b>Types of baby developmental milestones by month<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Babies grow and learn so fast&mdash;it&rsquo;s truly amazing how much changes in just the first year! To help parents keep track, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/22063-baby-development-milestones-safety\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experts group <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">baby development milestones by month into different types.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These milestones help you know what&rsquo;s typical and when to cheer your little one&rsquo;s progress. Remember, though, every baby&rsquo;s timeline is unique. Here&rsquo;s a look at four main types of milestones you might notice as you track baby milestones by month.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wporg-box\"><div class=\"\"><span class=\"wporg_heading\">RELATED READING : <\/span><span class=\"wporg_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/parenting\/things-first-time-parents-should-keep-in-mind-about-a-newborn\/\" title=\"4 Things First-Time Parents Should Keep in Mind About Their Newborn Baby\">4 Things First-Time Parents Should Keep in Mind About Their Newborn Baby<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<h3><b>1. Gross motor milestones<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gross motor milestones are all about <\/span><b>big movements that help babies control their bodies, like rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These skills show how strong your baby&rsquo;s muscles and coordination are becoming.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, they&rsquo;ll learn to balance, push themselves up, and eventually stand on their own. For many parents, seeing their baby take those first steps is a huge, joyful moment! Doctors watch gross motor skills closely to make sure your baby&rsquo;s physical growth is on track.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Note:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Around 6 months, many babies can roll over both ways (tummy to back and back to tummy).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>2. Fine motor milestones<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fine motor milestones involve <\/span><b>the smaller muscles in your baby&rsquo;s hands and fingers. These skills help them grab toys, feed themselves, and explore the world in new ways<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. At first, babies make random grabbing motions, but soon they&rsquo;ll learn to reach for objects on purpose.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fine motor progress is a key part of baby development milestones by month, showing how your child&rsquo;s brain and muscles work together. Over time, these skills will help with writing, dressing, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Note:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> By 9 months, many babies can pick up small objects between their thumb and finger, called a pincer grasp.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>3. Language and communication milestones<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Language and communication milestones cover everything from cooing and babbling to saying real words.<\/span><b> Even before they speak, babies communicate through sounds, gestures, and facial expressions. Listening and responding to your baby&rsquo;s sounds helps them develop strong language skills.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pediatricians pay close attention to these milestones to catch any speech delays early. It&rsquo;s a wonderful feeling when your baby finally says &ldquo;Mama&rdquo; or &ldquo;Dada&rdquo; for the first time!<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Note:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> By 12 months, many babies say one or two simple words and understand simple requests like &ldquo;Come here.&rdquo;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>4. Social and emotional milestones<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social and emotional milestones show how your baby connects with people and handles feelings. At first,<\/span><b> babies respond mostly to caregivers with smiles and cuddles. As they grow, they start recognizing familiar faces, showing preferences, and reacting to strangers.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These milestones help<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/parenting\/essential-parenting-skills-new-parents\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> build healthy relationships <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and trust as your child grows. Tracking social and emotional skills is a key part of understanding baby milestones month by month.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Note: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 8 months, babies often develop stranger anxiety and might cling to parents in unfamiliar situations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12-baby-milestones-parents-watch-month-by-month\"><\/span><b>12 baby milestones parents watch month by month<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-111084\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2189741697.jpg\" alt=\"Baby holding parents hand while sleeping \" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching your baby grow is like witnessing a tiny miracle unfold day by day. Each month brings exciting changes, new skills, and sweet surprises that make all the sleepless nights worthwhile.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parents love keeping an eye on baby milestones month by month because they&rsquo;re clues to how their little one&rsquo;s brain and body are developing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, though&mdash;<\/span><b>every baby has their own pace, so try not to compare too much<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here are 12 important baby development milestones by month that many parents eagerly look forward to!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Social smile &ndash; 1 to 2 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around one or two months, babies often start flashing that magical social smile&mdash;<\/span><b>a true grin in response to seeing a face or hearing a familiar voice.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This milestone shows your baby is beginning to recognize people and interact socially.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smiling helps strengthen your bond and makes all those late nights feel worth it! It is an important sign of early social and emotional development. A lack of social smiling by 2-3 months may be worth mentioning to your doctor, just to be safe.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby smiles back when you lean over and say, &ldquo;Hi, sweetie!&rdquo;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>2. Head control &ndash; 2 to 3 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At around two or three months, babies start gaining control over their neck muscles. <\/span><b>They can lift their head briefly during tummy time and look around, even if still a bit wobbly.&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This milestone helps prevent flat spots on the back of the head and strengthens muscles needed for rolling and sitting. I<\/span><b>t&rsquo;s one of those baby milestones by month that shows how physical strength and coordination are developing. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always supervise tummy time to keep things safe and comfy for your little one.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby holds their head up for several seconds while lying on their tummy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"wporg-box\"><div class=\"\"><span class=\"wporg_heading\">RELATED READING : <\/span><span class=\"wporg_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/parenting\/parental-advice-5-essential-rules-for-new-parents\/\" title=\"Parental Advice for New Parents: Mastering the 7 Essential Rules\">Parental Advice for New Parents: Mastering the 7 Essential Rules<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<h3><b>3. Rolling over &ndash; 3 to 4 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By three or four months, <\/span><b>many babies learn to roll over from tummy to back, and soon after, from back to tummy.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It&rsquo;s an exciting sign that your baby&rsquo;s muscles and coordination are improving. Rolling helps babies explore their world and sets the stage for crawling later on.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure play spaces are safe and free from hazards, as rolling babies can move quickly! This milestone marks big changes in how mobile your baby is becoming.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You put your baby on a blanket, look away for a second&mdash;and they&rsquo;re suddenly flipped over!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>4. Reaching for objects &ndash; 4 to 5 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between four and five months, <\/span><b>babies start reaching for and grabbing toys, hair, or anything colorful that catches their eye<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This milestone shows their hand-eye coordination is getting sharper. It&rsquo;s amazing to see how deliberate their movements become.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reaching also helps develop fine motor skills, essential for later milestones like feeding themselves. It&rsquo;s one of the exciting baby milestones month by month because it signals growing curiosity and independence.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby sees a rattle nearby and reaches out to grab it with both hands.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>5. Babbling &ndash; 5 to 6 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By five or six months, <\/span><b>your baby may start babbling with joyful sounds like &ldquo;ba-ba,&rdquo; &ldquo;da-da,&rdquo; or &ldquo;ga-ga<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&rdquo; This is an early step in language development, as babies experiment with different noises. Babbling helps babies practice using their mouth and tongue for speech.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Responding to their sounds helps encourage even more talking down the road. Pediatricians see babbling as an essential part of baby development milestones by month for communication growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;You can encourage language development by responding to your child&rsquo;s babbling, which teaches them the nuances of back-and-forth conversation,&rdquo; says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/experts\/jenni-jacobsen\">Dr. Schulz<\/a>. <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby babbles &ldquo;ba-ba-ba&rdquo; and beams when you repeat it back to them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>6. Sitting without support &ndash; 6 to 7 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around six or seven months, <\/span><b>many babies can sit up without needing your hands behind them.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It&rsquo;s a huge moment of independence! Sitting helps babies play with toys, see more of the world, and practice balance. It&rsquo;s also great for developing strong back and core muscles.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, babies may topple over at first, so soft surfaces are your best friend.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby sits on a play mat, happily banging toys together.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>7. Stranger anxiety &ndash; 7 to 8 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At about seven or eight months,<\/span><b> babies might suddenly get shy or clingy around unfamiliar people<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This milestone, known as stranger anxiety, shows their brains are learning to tell the difference between familiar and new faces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s a normal stage of emotional development, though it can be tough for parents. Be patient and let your baby warm up at their own pace. This is one of those baby milestones by month that reassures you your baby&rsquo;s memory and attachment are growing stronger.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby buries their face in your shoulder when someone new tries to say hello.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>8. Crawling &ndash; 8 to 9 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-111083\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2472910815.jpg\" alt=\"Baby crawling on the floor \" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between eight and nine months,<\/span><b> many babies begin crawling&mdash;or scooting, army crawling, or rolling to get around<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! Crawling builds muscles and coordination and helps babies explore their surroundings. It&rsquo;s thrilling (and a bit exhausting) for parents because now the real baby-proofing begins!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While crawling is common, some babies skip it and go straight to standing or walking. Pediatricians reassure parents that this variation is usually normal.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby sees a toy across the room and crawls over determinedly to grab it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>9. Pulling to stand &ndash; 9 to 10 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around nine or ten months, <\/span><b>babies often start pulling themselves up on furniture or your legs to stand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This milestone strengthens leg muscles and builds confidence for cruising and eventually walking. Parents often see it happen seemingly overnight!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure furniture is sturdy and safe for your adventurous little one. It&rsquo;s one of the exciting baby milestones month by month because it signals walking isn&rsquo;t too far away.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby grabs the coffee table and slowly pulls themselves to a standing position.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>10. Saying first words &ndash; 10 to 11 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By ten or eleven months, <\/span><b>many babies say their first meaningful words, like &ldquo;Mama,&rdquo; &ldquo;Dada,&rdquo; or the name of a favorite toy.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It&rsquo;s a thrilling moment when babbling turns into real words! First words show growing language skills and social connection.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep talking, reading, and singing to encourage more vocabulary. Pediatricians watch for early words as part of tracking baby development milestones by month.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby looks at you and says &ldquo;Mama!&rdquo; with a big smile.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>11. Cruising &ndash; 11 to 12 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cruising happens <\/span><b>when babies walk while holding onto furniture for balance, usually around eleven or twelve months.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It&rsquo;s a big confidence-builder and strengthens leg and core muscles. Cruising helps babies practice weight-shifting and balance needed for independent walking.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parents often see little daredevils letting go for a few seconds at a time! It&rsquo;s a thrilling sign your baby&rsquo;s first solo steps might be just around the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby shuffles sideways along the couch, gripping the cushions for support.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>12. Taking first steps &ndash; Around 12 months<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around twelve months,<\/span><b> many babies take those magical first independent steps! It&rsquo;s often wobbly and cautious at first, but it marks a huge leap in independence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Walking helps babies explore, learn, and engage with the world in new ways.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrate this moment, even if your baby decides to crawl sometimes instead. Remember, some babies walk earlier or later, and both are perfectly normal.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Milestone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your baby lets go of the coffee table and takes two shaky steps toward you, grinning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-to-keep-a-baby-safe-as-they-grow-and-develop\"><\/span><b>How to keep a baby safe as they grow and develop?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-111082\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2142121707-2.jpg\" alt=\"Couple holding new born baby \" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As your baby grows, they become curious little explorers, eager to touch, grab, and taste everything in sight! While watching them hit baby milestones by month is exciting, it also means new safety challenges pop up all the time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"research_highlight\"><p>A research paper published on <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/safekids.org\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SafeKids.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> states that infants face common household dangers&mdash;like falls, burns, choking&mdash;and that implementing simple safety measures (e.g. outlet covers, cabinet locks) dramatically reduces injuries and protects growing babies.<\/p><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&rsquo;t worry&mdash;it&rsquo;s all manageable with some planning and vigilance. Here are five trustworthy ways to help keep your baby safe while enjoying every bit of their amazing journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<table id=\"tablepress-286\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-286\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Activity<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Do<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Don\u2019t<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Tummy Time<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Place your baby on a firm surface while you supervise.<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Leave your baby unattended during tummy time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Introducing solids<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Offer soft, age-appropriate foods in small pieces.<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Give whole grapes, nuts, or chunks that could cause choking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Sleep time<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Lay your baby on their back in an empty crib.<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Put blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys in the sleep space.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Bath time<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Always keep a hand on your baby and gather supplies first.<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Leave your baby alone, even for a few seconds.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Playtime<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Choose toys labeled safe for your baby\u2019s age.<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Give toys with small parts that can be choking hazards.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-286 from cache --><\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch this TED Talk by Becky&#8239;Kennedy, a clinical psychologist, who shares the power of &ldquo;repair&rdquo; after parenting missteps&mdash;how reconnecting with your child builds trust and strengthens bonds.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PHpPtdk9rco?si=wKzNE-l3-314R1-v\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">&#65279;<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When-to-talk-to-your-pediatrician-about-milestones\"><\/span><b>When to talk to your pediatrician about milestones<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s natural to wonder if your baby is hitting their baby milestones by month on time. <\/span><b>While every child grows at their own pace, there are moments when checking in with your pediatrician is wise.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A quick chat can ease your mind and help catch any issues early. Here&rsquo;s when to consider making that call!<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If baby <\/span><b>stops doing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> skills they already learned<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No social smile <\/span><b>by 2-3 months<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No babbling or sounds <\/span><b>by 6-7 months<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trouble holding head up <\/span><b>by 4 months<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not sitting without support <\/span><b>by 9 months<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No interest in people or toys<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/li>\n<\/ul><ul><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Worries about vision or hearing<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any <\/span><b>gut feeling<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> something isn&rsquo;t right<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><b>Please note: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trust your instincts&mdash;doctors are there to help support healthy baby milestones by month!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final-thoughts\"><\/span><b>Final thoughts<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching your little one grow and discover the world is an incredible journey filled with joy, surprises, and sometimes a few worries. Remember, baby milestones by month are helpful guides, but every baby follows their own unique timeline.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trust your instincts, celebrate each small win, and lean on your pediatrician whenever you have questions. Tracking baby milestones month by month can feel overwhelming at times, but it&rsquo;s also a beautiful way to witness just how much your baby is learning and changing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Above all, your love and care are the most important milestones of all!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Those tiny fingers curling around yours, the first gummy smile, the wobbly first steps&hellip;it&rsquo;s incredible how much babies change in such a short time! One day, they&rsquo;re blinking up at you in wonder; the next, they&rsquo;re babbling secrets only they can understand.&nbsp; Every giggle, wiggle, and new skill feels like pure magic&mdash;and sometimes a total mystery, too. If you&rsquo;ve ever caught yourself wondering what&rsquo;s next or worrying if things are &ldquo;on track,&rdquo; you&rsquo;re not alone.&nbsp; From first smiles to those triumphant first steps, baby milestones by month bring countless &ldquo;wow&rdquo; moments that melt hearts and keep parents on their toes! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1393,"featured_media":111085,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[37],"tags":[2640],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111081"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1393"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111081"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":120076,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111081\/revisions\/120076"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/111085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}