Guides/Baby milestones month by monthMilestones month by month
Baby milestones month by month
You'll get a photo idea for every month of the first year, and the CDC milestone list at two, four, six, nine, and 12 months.
The CDC checklists cover two, four, six, nine, and 12 months. Other months get a photo idea only. The lists are quoted from the CDC's developmental milestones in Learn the Signs. Act Early.
The CDC says these are things most children, 75 percent or more, can do by that age. Every baby is different. If you have a concern, talk with your child's doctor. This page isn't a screening, and it isn't medical advice.
The sticker on the onesie
Press this month's tie on a plain onesie and use the same spot every time. Compare our three sets. If you want one tie for each month, start with Monthly Onesie Stickers.
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- Monthly Onesie StickersAmazon
Month 1
Lay your baby on a blanket and stay beside them.
Month 2
Take yours by a window, on their back, with you beside them. 2 month baby photo ideas at home stays on that photo.
Most babies do these things by two months, on the CDC checklist for 2 months.
Social and emotional
- Calms down when spoken to or picked up
- Looks at your face
- Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her
- Smiles when you talk to or smile at her
Language
- Makes sounds other than crying
- Reacts to loud sounds
Learning, thinking, and problem-solving
- Watches you as you move
- Looks at a toy for several seconds
Movement
- Holds head up when on tummy
- Moves both arms and both legs
- Opens hands briefly
Month 3
Keep the same corner and the same window.
For month 3, 3 month baby photo ideas at home adds a hands photo and a tummy-time look-up.
Month 4
If they are looking at their hands, leave your hands out of the frame.
Most babies do these things by four months, on the CDC checklist for 4 months.
Social and emotional
- Smiles on his own to get your attention
- Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh
- Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
Language
- Makes sounds like "oooo", "aahh" (cooing)
- Makes sounds back when you talk to him
- Turns head towards the sound of your voice
Learning, thinking, and problem-solving
- If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle
- Looks at her hands with interest
Movement
- Holds head steady without support when you are holding him
- Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
- Uses his arm to swing at toys
- Brings hands to mouth
- Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
Month 5
Stay in the same spot.
Month 6
Take this one on the floor, and stay close enough to reach. For more setups, see 6 month baby photo ideas at home.
Most babies do these things by six months, on the CDC checklist for 6 months.
Social and emotional
- Knows familiar people
- Likes to look at self in a mirror
- Laughs
Language
- Takes turns making sounds with you
- Blows "raspberries" (sticks tongue out and blows)
- Makes squealing noises
Learning, thinking, and problem-solving
- Puts things in her mouth to explore them
- Reaches to grab a toy she wants
- Closes lips to show she doesn't want more food
Movement
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
- Leans on hands to support herself when sitting
Month 7
Get down to their eye level.
Month 8
Keep the same background.
Month 9
Stop when they are done. 9 month baby photo ideas at home has five setups for this month.
Most babies do these things by nine months, on the CDC checklist for 9 months.
Social and emotional
- Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
- Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
- Looks when you call her name
- Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
- Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
Language
- Makes a lot of different sounds like "mamamama" and "bababababa"
- Lifts arms up to be picked up
Learning, thinking, and problem-solving
- Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
- Bangs two things together
Movement
- Gets to a sitting position by herself
- Moves things from one hand to her other hand
- Uses fingers to "rake" food towards himself
- Sits without support
Month 10
Bring one toy they already reach for.
Month 11
Stay close while they move.
Month 12
Take this photo in the morning, before the house fills up. First birthday photo ideas at home covers that sticker photo, a smash cake, and a side-by-side with month 1.
The CDC checklist for this age is the one-year list. Most babies do these things by one year, on the CDC checklist for 1 year.
Social and emotional
- Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
Language
- Waves "bye-bye"
- Calls a parent "mama" or "dada" or another special name
- Understands "no" (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
Learning, thinking, and problem-solving
- Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
- Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket
Movement
- Pulls up to stand
- Walks, holding on to furniture
- Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
- Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food
Stickers in this guide
Things you should know
Learn the Signs. Act Early. materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools. The CDC says not to wait. If your child isn't meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills, or you have other concerns, talk with your child's doctor and ask about developmental screening.
How to line the 12 photos up is in make a first-year collage from your monthly baby photos.
