Baby Milestone Tracker
Enter your baby's birth date to see what most children can do at that age, what usually comes next, and when it's worth talking to your doctor.
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If your baby was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age (age from their due date) until about 2 years old.
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The first weeks
Right now your baby is simply adjusting to life outside the womb. Most of their day is feeding, sleeping and being close to you — and that is exactly what it should be.
What to expect
- Feeding often, roughly every 2–3 hours, day and night
- Sleeping 14–17 hours in total, but in short stretches
- Crying that often peaks around 6–8 weeks, then eases
- Day and night confusion — their body clock is still forming
The first formal milestone checklist begins at 2 months. Before then, focus on feeding, safe sleep and being close — not on checklists.
What you can do
- Hold and respond to your baby often. You cannot spoil a newborn by comforting them.
- Talk, sing and make eye contact during feeding, changing and bathing — this is how language starts.
- Give short tummy time while your baby is awake and you are watching.
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm flat surface with no pillows, blankets or soft toys.
- Never shake a baby. If crying is overwhelming, put your baby somewhere safe, step away, and check every 5–10 minutes.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 2 months —
Related reading
By 2 months
Your baby is starting to connect with you. The first real smile usually arrives around now — and it is worth every sleepless night.
Social & emotional
- Calms down when you speak to them or pick them up
- Looks at your face
- Seems happy to see you when you walk up to them
- Smiles when you talk to them or smile at them
Language & communication
- Makes sounds other than crying
- Reacts to loud sounds
Learning & thinking
- Watches you as you move
- Looks at a toy for several seconds
Movement & physical
- Holds their head up during tummy time
- Moves both arms and both legs
- Opens their hands briefly
What you can do
- Smile and act excited when your baby makes sounds, then wait — this teaches turn-taking, the foundation of conversation.
- Lay your baby on their tummy while awake with a toy at eye level to help them practise lifting their head.
- Only breast milk or formula for now — babies are not ready for water or other food until around 6 months.
- Learn your baby's hunger signs: hands to mouth, turning towards the breast or bottle, licking lips.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 4 months —
Related reading
By 4 months
Your baby is becoming social on purpose. They now do things to get your attention — and they have discovered their own hands.
Social & emotional
- Smiles on their own to get your attention
- Chuckles when you try to make them laugh
- Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
Language & communication
- Makes cooing sounds like "oooo" and "aahh"
- Makes sounds back when you talk to them
- Turns their head towards the sound of your voice
Learning & thinking
- Opens their mouth when they see the breast or bottle if hungry
- Looks at their own hands with interest
Movement & physical
- Holds their head steady without support when you are holding them
- Holds a toy when you put it in their hand
- Swings at toys with their arms
- Brings their hands to their mouth
- Pushes up onto their elbows or forearms during tummy time
What you can do
- Copy your baby's sounds back to them and see how long the "conversation" lasts.
- Give them safe household objects of different textures to hold and explore.
- Name what you are doing throughout the day — babies learn language long before they speak it.
- Keep routines for feeding and sleeping so your baby learns what to expect.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 6 months —
By 6 months
Your baby is exploring everything — usually with their mouth. Around now most babies are ready to begin solid foods alongside milk.
Social & emotional
- Knows familiar people
- Likes to look at themselves in a mirror
- Laughs
Language & communication
- Takes turns making sounds with you
- Blows raspberries (sticks tongue out and blows)
- Makes squealing noises
Learning & thinking
- Puts things in their mouth to explore them
- Reaches to grab a toy they want
- Closes their lips to show they do not want more food
Movement & physical
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Pushes up with straight arms during tummy time
- Leans on their hands for support while sitting
What you can do
- Around 6 months, most babies are ready to start solid foods while continuing breast milk or formula. Ask your doctor about timing for your baby.
- Let your baby touch and explore soft food with their hands — mess is part of learning.
- Play peek-a-boo and name objects as they look at them.
- Keep small objects out of reach now that everything goes in the mouth.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 9 months —
By 9 months
Your baby now knows exactly who you are — and may protest loudly when you leave. That clinginess is a sign of healthy attachment, not a problem.
Social & emotional
- Is shy, clingy or fearful around strangers
- Shows several different facial expressions
- Looks when you call their name
- Reacts when you leave the room
- Smiles or laughs during games like peek-a-boo
Language & communication
- Makes different sounds like "mamamama" and "bababababa"
- Lifts their arms up to be picked up
Learning & thinking
- Looks for objects when they are dropped out of sight
- Bangs two things together
Movement & physical
- Gets to a sitting position by themselves
- Moves things from one hand to the other
- Uses their fingers to rake food towards themselves
- Sits without support
What you can do
- Separation crying is normal at this age. Say a short goodbye and go — long goodbyes make it harder.
- Repeat the sounds your baby makes back to them, and add a word: "ba-ba? Ball!"
- Now that they are mobile, check floor level for small objects, cords, hot drinks and stairs.
- Let them practise feeding themselves with soft finger foods.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 12 months —
By 12 months
One year old. Your baby is likely pulling up, cruising along furniture, and using their first real words — often "mama" or "baba".
Social & emotional
- Plays games with you like pat-a-cake
Language & communication
- Waves bye-bye
- Calls a parent "mama", "baba" or another special name
- Understands "no" — pauses briefly or stops when you say it
Learning & thinking
- Puts something into a container
- Looks for things they saw you hide
Movement & physical
- Pulls up to stand
- Walks along holding on to furniture
- Drinks from a cup without a lid while you hold it
- Picks small things up between thumb and pointer finger
What you can do
- Walking anywhere between about 9 and 18 months is within normal range — late walkers are usually fine.
- Name things your child points at. Pointing is an early conversation, so answer it.
- Read together every day, even for a few minutes. Let them turn the pages.
- Screen time is not recommended before age 2, apart from video calls with family.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 15 months —
By 15 months
Your toddler is copying everything you do. Imitation is how they learn now — so they are watching you far more closely than you think.
Social & emotional
- Copies other children while playing
- Shows you an object they like
- Claps when excited
- Hugs a doll or soft toy
- Shows you affection
Language & communication
- Tries to say one or two words besides "mama" or "baba"
- Looks at a familiar object when you name it
- Follows directions given with both a gesture and words
- Points to ask for something or to get help
Learning & thinking
- Tries to use things the right way — a phone, cup or book
- Stacks at least two small objects
Movement & physical
- Takes a few steps on their own
- Uses their fingers to feed themselves
What you can do
- Let them help with small real tasks — handing you clothes, putting a spoon in a bowl.
- When they point at something, name it and add one more word.
- Offer choices between two things to reduce power struggles.
- Expect frustration and tears — they understand far more than they can say yet.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 18 months —
Related reading
By 18 months
Your toddler is walking on their own and starting to test independence — moving away from you, then checking that you are still there.
Social & emotional
- Moves away from you but looks back to make sure you are close
- Points to show you something interesting
- Puts their hands out for you to wash them
- Looks at a few pages in a book with you
- Helps you dress them by pushing an arm through a sleeve
Language & communication
- Tries to say three or more words besides "mama" or "baba"
- Follows one-step directions without any gesture
Learning & thinking
- Copies you doing chores, like sweeping
- Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
Movement & physical
- Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
- Scribbles
- Drinks from a cup without a lid, though they may spill
- Feeds themselves with their fingers
- Tries to use a spoon
- Climbs on and off a sofa or chair without help
What you can do
- Give them safe ways to climb and move — restricting movement makes behaviour harder, not easier.
- Say what you want them to do, not only what to stop: "walk slowly" works better than "don't run".
- Tantrums are normal at this age. Stay calm and nearby; they are overwhelmed, not misbehaving.
- Secure furniture, cover sockets and lock away cleaning products — climbing has started.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 2 years —
Related reading
By 2 years
Two years old. Words are combining into little sentences, and your child is starting to notice how other people feel.
Social & emotional
- Notices when others are hurt or upset
- Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
Language & communication
- Points to things in a book when you ask
- Says at least two words together, like "more milk"
- Points to at least two body parts when asked
- Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing
Learning & thinking
- Holds something in one hand while using the other
- Tries to use switches, knobs or buttons on a toy
- Plays with more than one toy at the same time
Movement & physical
- Kicks a ball
- Runs
- Walks up a few stairs, with or without help
- Eats with a spoon
What you can do
- Expand what they say: if they say "more milk", reply "you want more milk, yes!"
- Name feelings out loud — "you are angry because it broke" — this is how emotional control is learned.
- Keep routines predictable; two-year-olds cope far better when they know what comes next.
- Play alongside other children, even if they do not play together yet.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 2½ years —
Related reading
By 2½ years
Pretend play begins in earnest — feeding a doll, cooking imaginary food. This is serious cognitive work disguised as fun.
Social & emotional
- Plays next to other children, and sometimes with them
- Shows you what they can do — "look at me!"
- Follows simple routines when told, like helping to tidy up
Language & communication
- Says around 50 words
- Says two or more words together with one action word, like "doggie run"
- Names things in a book when you point and ask
- Uses words like "I", "me" and "we"
Learning & thinking
- Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll
- Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a stool to reach
- Follows two-step instructions, like "get your shoes and come here"
- Shows they know at least one colour
Movement & physical
- Twists things with their hands — doorknobs, lids
- Takes some clothes off by themselves
- Jumps off the ground with both feet
- Turns book pages one at a time
What you can do
- Join their pretend play and follow their lead rather than directing it.
- Give two-step instructions to stretch their listening.
- Let them do slow things themselves — dressing, pouring — even when it is faster to help.
- Count and name colours during everyday tasks instead of formal lessons.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 3 years —
By 3 years
Real conversations start now. Your child can go back and forth with you, and asks endless questions — which is exactly how they learn.
Social & emotional
- Calms down within about 10 minutes after you leave them somewhere familiar
- Notices other children and joins them to play
Language & communication
- Has a conversation with you with at least two back-and-forth exchanges
- Asks "who", "what", "where" or "why" questions
- Says what action is happening in a picture when asked
- Says their first name when asked
- Speaks clearly enough for others to understand most of the time
Learning & thinking
- Draws a circle when you show them how
- Avoids touching hot objects when you warn them
Movement & physical
- Strings items together, like large beads
- Puts on some clothes by themselves
- Uses a fork
What you can do
- Answer the "why" questions as often as you can — curiosity fades if it is dismissed.
- Give them small responsibilities at home; three-year-olds want to be useful.
- Tell stories in your own language — home language builds the foundation for every other language.
- Allow unstructured play time daily. It is not wasted time.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 4 years —
By 4 years
Imagination takes over. Your child pretends to be other people, seeks out other children, and starts to understand rules.
Social & emotional
- Pretends to be something else during play
- Asks to go and play with children if none are around
- Comforts others who are hurt or sad
- Avoids danger, like not jumping from a height
- Likes to be a helper
- Changes how they behave depending on where they are
Language & communication
- Says sentences with four or more words
- Says some words from a song, story or rhyme
- Talks about at least one thing that happened during the day
- Answers simple questions
Learning & thinking
- Names a few colours
- Tells what comes next in a well-known story
- Draws a person with three or more body parts
Movement & physical
- Catches a large ball most of the time
- Serves themselves food or pours water with an adult watching
- Unbuttons some buttons
- Holds a crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb, not in a fist
What you can do
- Ask about their day and listen fully — this builds both language and trust.
- Let them lose games sometimes; handling disappointment is a skill.
- Encourage drawing and scribbling; it prepares the hand for writing.
- Set a few clear rules and keep them consistent between caregivers.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
Coming next: 5 years —
Related reading
By 5 years
School readiness is taking shape — following rules, telling stories, counting, and holding attention for longer stretches.
Social & emotional
- Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
- Sings, dances or acts for you
- Does simple chores at home, like matching socks
Language & communication
- Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events
- Answers simple questions about a book or story
- Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
- Uses or recognises simple rhymes
Learning & thinking
- Counts to 10
- Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
- Uses time words like "yesterday", "tomorrow" and "morning"
- Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during an activity
- Writes some letters of their name
- Names some letters when you point to them
Movement & physical
- Buttons some buttons
- Hops on one foot
What you can do
- Read together daily and ask what they think will happen next.
- Practise taking turns through simple games.
- Let them help with real chores — it builds confidence and attention.
- Protect sleep: five-year-olds still need 10–13 hours including naps.
Not ticking everything off is not a diagnosis. Children develop at very different speeds, and most who seem a little behind catch up on their own. You know your child best — if something is on your mind, or your child seems to have lost a skill they had before, it is worth a relaxed chat with your doctor at your next visit.
How to read this page
- A milestone is something most children (about 75%) can do by that age — not an average, and not a deadline.
- Children develop at different speeds. Comparing your child to another child rarely helps.
- This page is for starting a conversation with your doctor. It is not a test, a screening tool, or a diagnosis.
- If your baby was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age (age from their due date) until about 2 years old.
If anything about your child's development worries you, speak to your doctor or health worker. Trust your instinct — you know your child better than any website does.
Adapted from public health guidance from the sources below. Last reviewed: 3 weeks ago.
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