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CDC-aligned first-year checklist

Baby milestones by age: 2 to 12 months

Milestones describe what most children can do by a certain age. They help you notice development and start useful conversations — they are not a scorecard or a race.

By 2 months

Most babies can do these by the end of the 2-month stage:

• Calms when spoken to or picked up
  Your voice and touch are already their safe place.
• Looks at your face
  Faces — especially yours — are the most interesting thing in the world right now.
• Seems happy to see you
  Brightens or wiggles when you walk up.
• Smiles when you talk or smile
  The first social smiles usually appear around 6–8 weeks.
• Makes sounds other than crying
  Little coos and gurgles are the start of conversation.
• Reacts to loud sounds
  Startles, blinks, or goes quiet at a sudden noise.

By 4 months

Most babies can do these by the end of the 4-month stage:

• Smiles on their own to get your attention
  Smiling is now a tool for connection, not just a reflex.
• Chuckles when you make them laugh
  Not quite a full laugh yet — but close.
• Moves or makes sounds to keep your attention
  They're learning that they can start the interaction.
• Coos — makes 'oooo' and 'aahh' sounds
  Long vowel sounds, often back and forth with you.
• Makes sounds back when you talk
  Your first real conversations.
• Turns head toward your voice
  Knows where the sound of you comes from.

By 6 months

Most babies can do these by the end of the 6-month stage:

• Knows familiar people
  Lights up for the people they see most.
• Likes to look at themselves in a mirror
  They don't know it's them yet — but they love that baby.
• Laughs
  Real, full laughs now.
• Takes turns making sounds with you
  Sound back and forth — the rhythm of conversation.
• Blows raspberries
  Sticking out the tongue and blowing — great mouth-muscle practice.
• Makes squealing noises
  Experimenting with pitch and volume.

By 9 months

Most babies can do these by the end of the 9-month stage:

• Is shy or clingy around strangers
  Stranger wariness is a healthy sign of attachment.
• Shows several facial expressions
  Happy, sad, angry, surprised — the full range is emerging.
• Looks when you call their name
  They know that word means them.
• Reacts when you leave
  Looking, reaching, or crying when you go — separation awareness.
• Smiles or laughs at peek-a-boo
  The all-time classic — and a real cognitive workout.
• Makes sounds like 'mamamama', 'babababa'
  Babbling in strings — the building blocks of first words.

By 12 months

Most babies can do these by the end of the 12-month stage:

• Plays games with you like pat-a-cake
  Back-and-forth games with rules — real social play.
• Waves bye-bye
  Gestures are language too.
• Calls a parent 'mama' or 'dada'
  Or another special name — the word that makes it all worth it.
• Understands 'no'
  Pauses briefly or stops when you say it. Briefly.
• Puts something in a container
  In and out, in and out — early problem-solving.
• Looks for things they see you hide
  A toy under a blanket is a puzzle they can now solve.

By 15 months

Most babies can do these by the end of the 15-month stage:

• Copies other children while playing
  They may imitate how another child uses a toy.
• Shows you an object they like
  Sharing something interesting is a social milestone.
• Claps when excited
  Excitement starts coming with its own gestures.
• Hugs a stuffed toy or doll
  Affection can show up in pretend play.
• Shows you affection
  A cuddle, kiss or lean-in all count.
• Tries one or two words besides mama or dada
  Approximations count when they consistently mean something.

By 18 months

Most babies can do these by the end of the 18-month stage:

• Moves away but checks that you are close
  Exploration and connection work together.
• Points to show you something interesting
  This is sharing attention, not only asking for something.
• Puts hands out for washing
  They are learning familiar care routines.
• Looks at a few pages in a book with you
  Short shared reading moments absolutely count.
• Helps when you dress them
  They may push an arm through a sleeve or lift a foot.
• Tries three or more words besides mama or dada
  Clear pronunciation is not required; consistent meaning matters.

By 24 months

Most babies can do these by the end of the 24-month stage:

• Notices when others are hurt or upset
  They may pause, look concerned or try to comfort.
• Looks at your face in a new situation
  Your reaction helps them decide what to do.
• Points to things in a book when asked
  For example, finding the bear or the shoe.
• Says at least two words together
  Combinations such as 'more milk' or 'mummy go' count.
• Points to at least two body parts
  Try it naturally during dressing or bath time.
• Uses more gestures than waving and pointing
  Nodding, blowing a kiss or gesturing 'come here' are examples.

What if my baby has not reached one yet?

One unchecked item does not diagnose a delay. Note what you see, use your baby's corrected age if they were born early, and bring the checklist to your health visitor or pediatrician. Ask sooner if your baby loses a skill they previously had or if your instincts say something is wrong.

Bloomie provides general information based on CDC guidance. It is not medical advice and never a diagnosis.