Baby & Toddler Milestones
A month-by-month guide, 1-36 months
Why milestones matter
Every baby grows at their own pace, but milestones give parents and practitioners a helpful roadmap. Tracking them early helps catch delays sooner and supports healthy spinal and nervous system development from day one.
Concerned about development?
Book a check-up with our chiropractic team — we love partnering with families through every stage of growth.
Newborn milestones, month by month
1 month
Lifts head when lying on tummy
Responds to sound
Stares at faces
2 Months
Vocalizes: gurgles and coos
Follows objects across field of vision
Notices his hands
Holds head up for short periods
3 Months
Recognizes your face and scent
Holds head steady
Visually tracks moving objects
4 Months
Smiles, laughs
Can bear weight on legs
Coos when you talk to him
5 Months
Distinguishes between bold colors
Plays with his hands and feet
6 Months
Turns toward sounds and voices
Imitates sounds
Rolls over in both directions
Sitting, crawling & first words
7 months
Sits without support
Drags objects toward herself
8 Months
Says "mama" or "dada" to parents (isn’t specific)
Passes objects from hand to hand
9 Months
Stands while holding onto something
Jabbers or combines syllables
Understands object permanence
10 Months
Waves goodbye
Picks things up with pincer grasp
Crawls well, with belly off the ground
11 Months
Says "mama" or "dada" to the correct parent
Plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo
Stands alone for a couple of seconds, cruises
12 Months
Imitates other’s activities
Indicates wants with gestures
13 Months
Uses two words skillfully (e.g., "hi" and "bye")
Bends over and picks up an object
14 Months
Eats with fingers
Empties containers of contents
Imitates others
15 Months
Plays with ball
Uses three words regularly
Walks backward
Words, walking & play
16 Months
Turns the pages of a book
Has temper tantrums when frustrated
Becomes attached to a soft toy or other object
17 Months
Uses six words regularly
Enjoys pretend games
Likes riding toys
18 Months
Will "read" board books on his own
Scribbles well
19 Months
Uses a spoon and fork
Runs
Throws a ball underhand
Enjoys helping around the house
20 Months
Feeds doll
Takes off own clothes
Dumps an object in imitation, such as throwing garbage away
21 Months
Can walk up stairs
Able to set simple goals (e.g., deciding to put a toy in a certain place)
22 Months
Kicks ball forward
Follows two-step requests (e.g. "Get your doll and bring it here")
23 Months
Names simple picture in a book
Uses 50 to 70 words
24 Months
Names at least six body parts
Half of speech is understandable
Makes two-to three-word sentences
Talking, drawing & independence
25 - 26 Months
Stacks six blocks
Walks with smooth heel-to-toe motion
27 - 28 Months
Runs well
Turns pages one at a time
29 - 30 Months
Brushes teeth with help
Washes and dries own hands
Draws a vertical line
31 - 32 Months
Recites own name
Draws a circle
33 - 34 Months
Names one color
Names one friend
Carries on a simple conversation
35 - 36 Months
Describes how two objects are used
Uses three to four words in a sentence
Names two actions (e.g., skipping, jumping)
