See the key developmental milestones for your baby's age — covering movement, language, social skills and thinking. Remember: all babies develop at their own pace.
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Track it all in one place. A baby milestone book lets you document first words, steps and everything in between.
Developmental milestones are skills that most babies achieve within a typical age range. They cover four domains: gross motor (large movements), fine motor (hand/finger skills), language (communication), and social/emotional (relating to others and self-regulation).
There is always a wide range of typical development. A baby who reaches some milestones early and others later is usually developing normally. The milestones here align with NHS guidance and are designed as a general guide, not a diagnostic tool. Always discuss concerns with your health visitor or GP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Missing a milestone does not automatically indicate a problem — development is highly individual. However, if your baby is significantly behind in multiple areas, or has lost a skill they previously had, speak with your health visitor or GP. Early referral for additional support (speech therapy, physiotherapy) is most effective when it happens early.
Yes — for premature babies, use their corrected age (chronological age minus weeks premature) when checking milestones, typically until 2 years of age. A baby born 8 weeks early at 6 months old has a corrected age of 4 months. Most premature babies catch up with their full-term peers by age 2, though some may have persistent developmental differences.
Many babies skip traditional crawling and walk perfectly well. Bum shuffling, rolling, commando crawling or going straight to cruising and walking are all normal variants. Crawling is not a required developmental step — what matters is that babies are finding ways to explore their environment and developing strength and coordination for walking.