Developmental milestones are fundamental skills and behaviors like smiling, walking, and talking that most children begin achieving at specific ages. They are used by well intentioned parents, friends, and relatives to predict the probability of the child's future career prospects and to determine "smartness". But more realistically, they are used by pediatricians to track growth and catch any potential delays. 

It is important to understand that all babies are different. They're little humans, not AI generated equations, and as such, they may reach milestones a little earlier or a little later than the general rule. These milestones are guides that can be helpful in allowing us to identify and potentially overcome any delays. They are also a way for parents to celebrate the development of their child. Watching your baby meet each milestone is fun, exciting, and awe-inspiring. We watch them go from helpless, (adorable) crying potatoes to these amazing, curious, funny, tiny people.

Developmental milestones are not to be feared and agonized over. Nor should they be used to brag and compare. "When were you potty trained?" is not a question on any college entrance exam. They are simply a tool to help you.

Here are the major developmental milestones to look for, and about what age you should start to see them. If you are ever have any concerns that your child is delayed in achieving their milestones, contact your pediatrician. This information is directly from the CDC's website. It has been compiled all in one place for easy digestion, but if you would like more information, you can find it here.

 

2 month old milestones

Social/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

Movement/Physical Development

• Holds head up when on tummy
• Moves both arms and both legs
• Opens hands briefly

Cognitive

• Watches you as you move
• Looks at a toy for several seconds

Language/Communication

• Makes sounds other than crying
• Reacts to loud sounds

 

4 month old milestones

Social/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

Movement/Physical Development

• 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/forearems when on tummy

Cognitive

• If hungry, opens his mouth when he sees breast or bottle
• Looks at his hands with interest

Language/Communication

• Makes sounds like "ooo" "aah" (cooing)
• Makes sounds back when you talk to him
• Turns head towards the sound of your voice

 

6 month old milestones

Social/Emotional

• Knows familiar people
• Likes to look at self in a mirror
• Laughs

Movement/Physical Development

• Rolls from tummy to back
• Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
• Leans on hands to support herself when sitting

Cognitive

• 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

Language/Communication

• Takes turns making sounds with you
• Blows "raspberries" (sticks tongue out and blows)
• Makes squealing noises

 

9 month old milestones

Social/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

Movement/Physical Development

• Gets to a sitting position by himself
• Moves things from one hand to her other hand
• Uses fingers to "rake" food towards himself
• Sits without support

Cognitive

• Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
• Bangs two things together

Language/Communication

• Makes a lot of different sounds like "mamamama" and "babababa"
• Lifts arms up to be picked up

 

12 month old milestones

Social/Emotional

• Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake

Movement/Physical Development

• Pulls up to stand
• Walks, holding onto 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

Cognitive

• Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
• Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket

Language/Communication

• Waves "bye-bye"
• Calls a parent "mama" or "dada" or another special name
• Understands "no" (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

 

15 month old milestones

Social/Emotional

• Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
• Shows you an object she likes
• Claps when excited
• Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
• Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

Movement/Physical Development

• Takes a few steps on his own
• Uses fingers to feed herself some food

Cognitive

• Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
• Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks

Language/Communication

• Tries to say one or two words other than "mama" or "dada," like "ba" for ball or "da" for dog
• Looks at a familiar object when you name it
• Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, "Give me the toy."
• Points to ask for something or to get help

 

18 month old milestones

Social/Emotional

• Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
• Points to show you something interesting
• Puts hands out for you to wash them
• Looks at a few pages in a book with you
• Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot

Movement/Physical Development

• Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
• Scribbles
• Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
• Feeds himself with his fingers
• Feeds himself with his fingers
• Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help

Cognitive

• Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
• Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

Language/Communication

• Tries to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"
• Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, "Give it to me."

 

24 month old milestones

Social/Emotional

• Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
• Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation

Movement/Physical Development

• Kicks a ball
• Runs
• Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
• Eats with a spoon

Cognitive

• Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking off the lid
• Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
• Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting food on a toy plate

Language/Communication

• Points to things in a book when you ask, like "Where is the bear?"
• Says at least two words together like "More milk."
• Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you
• Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes