Physical Development Milestones of Your Baby(From Birth to 12 Months)

The initial months after the birth of a baby are very crucial to understand if the baby is on track as far as the development is concerned. Physical development milestones of your baby such as holding the head, rolling over, sitting, crawling and standing happen by the time the baby is one year old. Most babies are able to take their first steps and walk too by this time. These milestones follow a pattern where babies are able to hold their head first and then start rolling over. This is followed by other milestones such as sitting, standing and walking.

Early Physical Development And Growth

Physical development in a child includes the set of skills that a baby develops which allows them to do physical activities. These activities include rolling over, sitting, crawling, standing, walking and running. By their first birthday, most babies are able to stand with support and some babies can successfully take their first steps too. However, this is not true for all babies and there may be some variations.

Doctors assess the growth of a baby depending on various milestones and the time at which they achieve it. A delay in the physical development milestones of your baby may be an important indicator of a delayed development which needs immediate medical intervention through consultations and therapies. There is a thin line between a slight developmental delay or a delay that needs intervention. A child specialist will be able to assess these delays and let you know what is normal and when to worry.

What Are the 5 Stages of Physical Development in Childhood?

The 5 stages of physical development in a child’s journey are:

5 Stages of Physical Development	Age Group
Newborn	From Birth to 2 Months
Infant/Baby	2 to 12 Months
Toddler	1 to 3 Years
Preschool	3 to 5 Years
School-Age	6 to 17 Years

2 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

They learn all the basics from day 0 to 2 months, which lays the foundation for future developments.

Developmental Milestones of 2 Month Old Baby

The baby has better control over arms and legs compared to the first month
Lifts up head to 45 degrees during tummy time.
Turns around and can look at both sides.
Moves hands and legs with more coordination and fewer jerks.
Tries to bring hand to the mouth.
Try to reach or grab small objects for a few seconds.
Is able to kick legs and wave hands with relative ease.
Recognizes sounds and may try to turn head towards the source

Signs of Developmental Delay in 2 Month Old Baby

Does not try to lift head during tummy time.
Does not turn head to follow sounds or object.
Limbs are still stiff or floppy.

How to Improve 2 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Tummy time is very important at this stage. Give your baby 2-5 minutes of tummy time every day. If they oppose, break it down to a few seconds at a time and slowly increase it.

[Read : Developmental Delays in Babies]

3 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

The change can be drastic in the 3rd month.

Developmental Milestones of 3 Month Old Baby

Able to hold head and chest up during tummy time.
Uses hands to support the upper torso when trying to look up during tummy time.
Able to open and close fists.
Can move arms and legs more consciously.
Tries to swipe hanging objects.
Can hold their bottle.
Recognizes sounds and turns head towards the source.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 3 Month Old Baby

Unable to hold anything given to them.
Unable to lift head/chest during tummy time.
Doesn’t respond to loud sounds, bright lights, or familiar voices.
Unable to hold up their head when carried.
Does not bring objects/hands to the mouth.

How to Improve 3 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Increase tummy time and get down on the floor with them. They will try to lift their heads and look at you while you engage them. Hang toys above their heads, just within reach. Communicate with them by telling them stories or talking to them.

4 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

Time for major developments in gross motor skills.

Developmental Milestones of 4 Month Old Baby

The baby will rock from side to side and rollover during tummy time.
Will attempt to sit with support.
Will reach for your hair, phone, and other items in your hand.
Play with their own fingers.
Puts fists and fingers into the mouth.
Smiles at familiar faces.
Turns head to track faces and objects.
Shakes toys.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 4 Month Old Baby

Does not smile at familiar faces.
Unable to hold up head without support.
Does not push against the floor or raise head during tummy time.
Legs don’t push down when made to stand.
Unable to move eyes to track movement.

How to Improve 4 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Leave rattles and toys strewn around. Put your baby on a firm or hard surface to encourage them to roll over. You can dangle their favourite toy within their reach and move it to the side to help them roll over to one side.

[Read : Baby’s Gross Motor Skill Development]

5 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

Your baby becomes stronger and more independent physically.

Developmental Milestones of 5 Month Old Baby

Can roll over from tummy to back.
Can sit with support.
Most babies can roll over from back to tummy too.
Some babies may try to move on their tummies or bums.
Able to hold objects.
Explores different textures.
Flexes hands and legs.
Limbs move with coordination.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 5 Month Old Baby

No attempt to roll over.
Limb movements are still jerky.
Unable to hold anything for long.
Unable to sit up with support.

How to Improve 5 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Keep giving them objects with different textures to hold and explore.
Help them sit up with support – between your legs or leaning against you.
Hold them in an upright position to encourage leg movements.

6 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

At the half-year mark, your baby can do many things.

Developmental Milestones of 6 Month Old Baby

Rock and roll over both ways.
Push with legs against a hard surface.
Grab things given to them or next to them.
May try to grab things with both hands.
Attempt to sit in a tripod position without support.
Take food to the mouth.
Responds when name is called.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 6 Month Old Baby

Unable to roll over.
Unable to take food to the mouth.
Does not reach for toys.
Does not turn when called.

How to Improve 6 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

This is the stage to introduce solid foods. Make them sit up with support and give them finger foods they can hold and eat on their own. Also, engage them in active play to improve fine motor skills.

[Read : Baby’s Fine Motor Skill Development]

7 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

Your baby is no longer a helpless infant.

Developmental Milestones of 7 Month Old Baby

Sit up without support.
Can rock back and forth.
Tries to drag themself across the floor.
Attempts at standing up by pushing hands and knees against the floor.
Develops better hand-eye coordination.
Holds their own bottle and drink without help.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 7 Month Old Baby

Lack of coordination.
Unable to sit.
Shows no interest in moving.
Cannot hold objects/ does not show interest in holding objects.

How to Improve 7 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Active play when you ask them to move or reach for things can encourage them to move and sit up to play. Ensure the environment is safe for them to explore.

8 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

Your baby will be on the move, keeping you busy.

Developmental Milestones of 8 Month Old Baby

Tries to push up on hands and knees.
Tries to crawl, learns crawling.
Sits up from lying down position.
Tries to hold things and stand up.
Uses hands to do different things such as pointing at something they need, clapping and waving.
Bangs objects against each other, learns cause and effect-the sound produced when banging.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 8 Month Old Baby

Does not roll over, rock, or show signs of movement.
Unable to bear weight on legs when made to stand.
Cannot sit up without support.
Does not communicate with limb movements.
Does not recognize or acknowledge sounds.

How to Improve 8 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Engage them in active play. Consult your pediatrician to rule out any complications or developmental issues.

9 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

The developments can be very fast at this stage.

Developmental Milestones of 9 Month Old Baby

Understand object permanence and search for toys and items.
Able to crawl faster.
Switches between sitting and crawling
Learns to put small items into big bowls.
Can stack one or two blocks.
Takes and gives items on cue when parents point.
Plays with other babies.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 9 Month Old Baby

Does not stack or move toys during play
Unable to hold spoon or for

How to Improve 9 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Keep giving them toys in various shapes, sizes, and textures, and show them how to play. Communicate and lead by example.

10 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

Most babies are up on their feet around this time.

Developmental Milestones of 10 Month Old Baby

Pulls self to a standing position.
Can stand with support.
Will hold and attempt to walk.
Can point at things.
Hold and eat from a spoon.
Attempts to hold small objects with thumb and finger.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 10 Month Old Baby

Does not push on legs when held upright.
Shows no interest in holding items.

How to Improve 10 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Hold them in an upright position and make them stand for a few seconds without putting too much weight on their tender legs.

11 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

Your baby is more independent and curious now.

Developmental Milestones of 11 Month Old Baby

Can stand without support for a few minutes
May take their first steps with support, by holding a parent or a piece of furniture
Some babies will start walking
Can move around fast.
Stacking blocks of different sizes.
Try climbing.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 11 Month Old Baby

No signs of movement or usage of legs.
Does not interact or engage in active play.

How to Improve 11 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Keep things just out of reach, to encourage them to move. Also arrange playdates to play with other babies and toddlers their age.

12 Month Old Baby Physical Development Milestones

Your little one crosses one of the biggest milestones and is now one year old!

Developmental Milestones of 12 Month Old Baby

Stands on their own or with support.
Walks with or without help.
Carry things and move.
Can do squats
Can stoop to pick up something from the floor, toys, for example.

Signs of Developmental Delay in 12 Month Old Baby

Weak legs and hands that can’t push or hold.
Does not respond or play.

How to Improve 12 Month Old Baby’s Physical Development?

Give them walk-along or drag-along toys to encourage movement.
Active playtime to teach them stacking and arranging.

Every baby is unique and each has their own growth and development curve. Some babies may crawl a little late and pick up walking quickly. Other babies can learn crawling much faster and then get delayed with walking. Such situations are normal and may no warrant a visit to the doctor. But if you find that your baby is not interested in communication or responding to sounds by at least 8 months of age or is unable to sit without support by their first birthday, this can indicate a delay in the physical development milestones of your baby.

Ensure to share any concerns with your baby during the regular pediatrician visits. This will help the doctor assess any delays. If there is delayed development, the doctor may refer your baby to a specialist who will help you with further steps. Recognizing a developmental delay at the earliest with help you, your baby, and the team of experts work together to address the issue at the right time so that your little munchkin can have a better quality of life.