Developmental Milestones for Infants (0-6 months)

Interactive Milestone Checklist

Check off the milestones your child has reached. Every child is different — this is a guide, not a diagnosis.

• ✓ Brings hands to face
• ✓ Responds to loud sounds (startles or cries)
• ✓ Recognizes parent's voice
• ✓ Can focus on objects 8–12 inches away
• ✓ Grasps a finger placed in palm
• ✓ Turns head toward breast or bottle (rooting reflex)
• ✓ Moves arms and legs in jerky motions
• ✓ Makes small sounds (grunts, sighs)

Newborn to 1-Month-Old Baby Milestones

During the first month of life, your newborn is adjusting to life outside the womb. They're relying on reflexes to survive and beginning to recognize familiar voices and faces. While it might feel like your newborn isn't doing much, they're actually learning and developing rapidly.

Here are the milestones your newborn should be meeting:

• Grasping reflex (closing fingers around objects placed in their hand)
• Rooting reflex (turning head when cheek is stroked)
• Startle reflex (extending arms when startled)
• Responds to loud sounds
• Focuses on faces
• Can briefly track moving objects
• Makes reflexive movements and jerky motions
• Cries to communicate needs

2-3-Month-Old Baby Milestones

By 2-3 months, your baby is becoming more aware of their surroundings and starting to have more control over their movements. Their reflexes are becoming less prominent, and they're developing more intentional movements.

Here are the milestones a 2-3-month-old should be meeting:

• Smiles socially (in response to your smile or voice)
• Makes cooing sounds
• Follows objects with their eyes
• Holds head up briefly
• Pushes down with legs when feet are on a firm surface
• Opens and shuts hands
• Brings hands to mouth
• Responds to sudden sounds or movements
• Looks at you while you're talking or singing

4-5-Month-Old Baby Milestones

Between 4-5 months, your baby's personality really begins to shine. They're becoming more interactive and responsive to their environment. They're also developing better control of their head and neck.

Here's a list of the milestones a 4-5-month-old should be meeting:

• Laughs out loud
• Shows interest in mirrors and bright objects
• Reaches for objects
• Brings objects to mouth
• Turns head toward sounds
• Can hold head steady without support
• Begins to sit with support
• Rolls from back to side
• Shows excitement or frustration through facial expressions and sounds
• Babbles (makes sounds like "ba" or "da")

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a 3-month-old baby be able to do?

By 3 months, most babies smile socially, make cooing sounds, follow objects with their eyes, hold their head up briefly, and respond to sounds. They may also bring their hands to their mouth and open and close their hands. Every baby develops at their own pace, but these are typical milestones for this age.

When do babies start cooing and babbling?

Babies typically start cooing (making soft, repetitive vowel sounds like "ooh" and "aah") around 2-3 months of age. Babbling (which includes consonant sounds like "ba" and "da") usually begins around 4-6 months. Early communication through cooing and babbling is an important part of language development.

What are 6-month-old baby milestones?

By 6 months, most babies roll over both ways, sit with support, babble, respond to their name, and laugh out loud. They also show stranger anxiety (wariness of unfamiliar people), reach for objects, and transfer objects from one hand to another. Some babies may even begin to crawl or scoot.

What are the early signs of autism in babies?

Early signs in infants may include: limited eye contact or response to their name, reduced babbling or vocalizing, delayed motor milestones (rolling, sitting), repetitive movements, sensory sensitivities (to sounds, textures, or lights), or lack of response to social engagement. Early identification and intervention are beneficial for children with autism.

How do I know if my baby's development is on track?

While every baby develops at their own pace, developmental milestones provide a useful guide. If you notice your baby isn't meeting milestones for their age or loses skills they previously had, it's worth discussing with your pediatrician. Early intervention services offer free evaluations for children under 3 in most areas.

What should I do if I'm concerned about my baby's development?

If you have concerns about your baby's development—whether related to motor skills, speech, vision, hearing, or social-emotional development—share these concerns with your pediatrician. They can refer you for early intervention services, which offer free evaluations and therapy if needed. Early support makes a real difference in development.

Is Your Child Hitting Their Milestones?

Every child develops at their own pace — but if something doesn't feel right, early support makes a meaningful difference.