There is a reason people count a baby’s age in months until they are four. The early weeks and months of a child’s life are packed with milestones and development. Within roughly one year of being born, a baby is already taking their first steps and even talking – if you blink, you might miss their next big achievement.

0-3 months is the newborn or reflexive stage. Babies begin to lose their “newborn curl” (the fetal position they hold in their mother’s womb), and gain control of their limbs and body. By three months, babies can often lift their heads and chest while on their stomach, along with bringing their hands and feet to their mouths. They start to recognize familiar faces, voices, sounds, and objects as well. 

4-6 months in the interactive stage, full of grabbing, rolling, and pushing. At this stage, babies can push themselves up with straight arms and better support their heads on their own. Tummy time is a big part of this stage and leads to significant stepping stones like sitting up and rolling over. Babies also discover their voice in this stage, making squealing sounds and finding their belly laugh.

7-9 months is the mobile stage. Babies learn to crawl, pull themselves up, and sit without support. This is a big stage for cognitive development, as the babies begin to recognize their own name and understand simple words like “yes” and “no”. Babies can also become clingy in this stage, sometimes developing separation anxiety.

10-12 months is the pre-toddler stage, arguably the most entertaining of them all. Babies often take their first steps in this stage, and learn to stand for long periods unassisted. They learn to easily transition from lying down, to sitting, to standing in a matter of seconds. They also learn hand gestures like waving, clapping, or certain sign language motions like “more” and “food”. Babies can say their first word in this stage as well, often being something simple like “mama” or “dada”. 

The first year of a baby’s life flies by, but it is jammed with significant moments and memories for the whole family. Each month of a baby’s life is important in its own way, and it’s crucial to be present for every step of the way.