Every baby is unique, but of course you are curious about what other babies do at the same age. A baby’s general development proceeds at a rapid pace, in terms of sensory, motor, intellectual and social-emotional development. Characteristically, the baby is attracted to everything that is new, while at the same time the baby seeks familiarity in an environment that is predictable: safety with mom and dad. A baby’s journey of discovery in the first year is a fascinating process.

The development of a baby

The development from helpless baby to stubborn toddler usually follows a typical pattern. Yet babies differ in development. If you notice that your baby is three months or more behind across the board, it is wise to consult your doctor or child health clinic. Please note: about half of all babies do what you can expect per month. It is very possible that your baby is faster or slower in some parts. This depends, among other things, on gender and temperament. When developing a baby, we usually look at the whole picture.

Month 1

The first month of a baby’s life is all about sleeping, crying, drinking and growing. The baby makes spontaneous, uncontrolled movements (baby reflexes), can recognize your smell and voice and can also see you within a short distance of his field of vision. From the third week onwards he becomes more active when he is awake and responds better to sounds.

• Close his hand tightly around an outstretched finger
• While lying on his stomach, raise his head briefly
• Waves arms and legs
• Makes noises spontaneously
• Smiles back
• Tries to get attention by crying
• Sees an object 20 to 30 cm away

Month 2

In the second month, the baby becomes stronger and sees better, especially bright colors. Baby’s world is therefore becoming more and more interesting. He will stay awake longer and longer between feedings and will be interested in little games such as imitating you or making funny faces. You might even get your first laugh!

• Keeps head fairly still when held upright
• Already raises his upper body slightly when lying on his stomach
• Places his hands around the breast or bottle
• Enjoy the bath
• Recognizes his parents
• Makes at least two different noises when someone talks or laughs to him

Month 3

In month three, a baby becomes more and more active. Now you are getting to know your baby better and what is going on with the sounds he makes. The baby wants to follow you in everything, he starts with his own ‘baby language’ and babbles away. He will also look at his own hands in amazement.

• Close his fingers around a toy
• Shakes a rattle
• Plays with his own hands
• Babbles
• Follows a toy with his eyes
• Sucks food from a spoon
• Imitates someone talking with their mouth
• Turns his head in the direction of a sound

Month 4

The fourth month is the month in which understanding of emotions develops, the baby can purse his lips and he starts to use his own body better. He constantly observes his environment and learns from his parents through play. With a bit of luck, he will have developed his own sleep rhythm and will sleep through the night.

• Holds a toy with both hands, center in front of his chest
• Grabs a toy right in front of his face
• Brings hands and toys to his face
• Screams with pleasure
• Makes sounds in the mouth
• Laughs out loud
• Reacts differently to a strange face
• When a snack comes, he opens his mouth

Month 5

In the fifth month, the baby especially wants to move! He will attempt to roll over from stomach to back or vice versa, he will thrash around and make the first attempts to crawl. The baby becomes increasingly busy, grabs everything that passes by and wants to hold things for himself.

• Supports on arms
• Plays with feet
• Tries to grab moving objects
• Laughs when someone makes a funny face
• Holds a bottle herself
• Pulls hair, glasses or earrings when sitting on his lap
• Makes sounds like mmm or brrr

Month 6

In the sixth month you can suddenly see his first tooth! The baby becomes unfamiliar because he realizes that he is dependent on his safe circle, which of course includes his mother and father. He now clearly shows who does and who does not belong to his familiar environment. Rolling over can cause dangerous situations, so be careful.

• Rolls from stomach to back and back
• Extends his arms when he sees a familiar person
• Picks up a toy with one hand
• Makes lots of noises and ‘talks’ to his toys
• Comes from a supine position to a sitting position and keeps his head straight when you grab his wrists

Month 7

In the seventh month you will notice that your baby wants to be involved in everything. If you sit at the table, your baby will want that too! He is beginning to understand what ’cause and effect’ is, and he will continue to test this. The baby gains more and more ‘self-awareness’, knows his name and, for example, also knows better how he can achieve something.

• Transfers a toy from one hand to the other
• Holds a cookie and chews it
• Sometimes holds two things at the same time
• Responds to his name
• Looks at a toy that has fallen out of the playpen
• Pulls away a cloth that is placed on his face
• Cries when a toy is taken away

Month 8

During this month it may happen that your baby suddenly calls you! The first attempts to form words are now taking place, so it is nice to further stimulate language development now. You will also notice that your baby has an increasingly strong will of his own, and this sometimes manifests itself in stubbornness and anger when he does not get his way.

• Makes sounds like ‘pa pa’ and ‘da da’
• Chatters while playing
• Indicates when he has eaten enough
• Tries to move from position in prone position
• Holds two toys and drops one when he reaches for a third
• Protests when left alone

Month 9

In month nine you will notice that your home becomes more and more interesting for your baby. He explores while crawling and does not shy away from electrical sockets. So be careful: make your house baby-proof because its grabby fingers reach in all directions. The baby is also getting faster: don’t lose him!

• Tiger lies on his stomach on the ground
• Opens cupboard doors and takes things out of the cupboard
• Can be loose
• Turns in all directions to grab toys
• Reacts when something is prohibited with ‘no’
• Goes looking for someone who is hiding from him

Month 10

The tenth month is all about pulling up and standing. You may see the first attempts to walk past the box or a table. In this phase you also notice that he wants and can do more and more: eat himself, drink himself and even help with dressing. Encouragement will help him go even further.

• Enjoy his reflection in the mirror
• Wraps his arms around his father or mother
• Pulls himself up on the box or bench until he is standing
• Plays loosely with two hands with a toy
• Helps with dressing
• He puts a piece of bread in his mouth
• Offer toys but then hold on to them
• Holds two small toys in one hand

Month 11

In the eleventh month, baby’s character becomes increasingly clear. That is why, in addition to care, another task is added: education. Because the baby sees life as one big game and thinks that everything in his environment is actually his property, you will have to start setting boundaries. In any case, he will find it interesting to ‘read’ a book together.

• Can sit upright independently from a supine position
• Walks past furniture
• Understands simple commands
• Indicates a toy when someone extends their hand
• Crawls on hands and knees
• Tries to turn pages
• Imitates different sounds

Month 12

In the twelfth month the baby will imitate you even more often. He tries to repeat words, claps his hands and waves. He wants to stir his own (toy) pan while cooking and he wants to carry a bag when shopping. You will use the word ‘no’ at many times, but the upcoming toddler still has difficulty following through!

• Occasionally comes loose
• Points out things he wants
• Moves to children’s songs and music
• Embraces his favorite cuddly toy or doll
• Bends down to pick up toys from the floor
• Rolls a ball in front of him from a sitting position