Milestone Countdown: When Baby Will Master Skills

With so many books and publications you can read, it’s hard to get just the baby milestone facts with none of the filler. Are you currently expecting or a recent mom and wondering when you can expect certain milestones to happen for your baby? Read on! Keep in mind no child is the same and your baby may hit these milestones before or after the stated ages. Here’s our baby milestone countdown, a guide to when baby will master certain skills. 

Smiling

In general, most babies start smiling between the ages of 1 and a half to 2 months old. This is generally the first of many baby milestones your little ones will accomplish in their lives.

Rolling over

The majority of babies have learned to roll over by the age of 6 or 7 months. Some babies will start to roll over as early as 3 months! Babies usually learn to roll back to belly first and about a month later, learn to roll from belly to back. Tummy time can help this milestone happen sooner.

Clapping hands

Between 9 months to 1 year old, your baby will learn to start clapping her hands. This will also help your little one learn hand and eye coordination as well as develop and control muscles.

Crawling

Some babies may skip this phase and go straight from pulling up or walking. Eeek! However, most babies hit this baby milestone between 6 and 10 months of age.

Pulling up to stand

The majority of babies will start pulling themselves up to stand between the ages of 9 to 10 months. Some babies may start to do this as early as 6 months of age. Pediatricians do advise a lot of parents to start lowering crib mattresses at this age just in case baby pulls herself up when you aren’t in the room.

Talking

A lot of babies will start making sounds at around 6 months of age. They will progressively improve these sounds through about 9 months old. By the one-year-old mark, most babies can say their first simple words, as well as understand what they mean.

Walking

Anywhere between 9 and 12 months of age your little one could possibly be taking her first steps. By 15 months she could be walking well by herself. However, some babies have been known to not take their first steps until 16 or 17 months of age.

Hopefully this milestone checklist gives you an idea of what to expect from your little one in the months and years to come. Just remember that not all babies develop at the same pace so there is no need to fret if your baby is falling a little behind on any of these baby milestones.