Your baby’s development week by week: A parent’s guide to the first year

Baby week by week development

by Anne Lora Scagliusi |
Updated on

The first year with your baby is full of incredible changes from teeny newborn snuggles to wobbly first steps. It’s wild how much can happen in just 12 months! While it’s natural to keep an eye on milestones, try not to worry too much if your little one takes their own path. Some babies babble before they roll, others skip crawling altogether; it's all part of their unique journey.

Use this guide to get a sense of what your baby might be doing each week, but remember, they don’t follow a script. If something’s on your mind, it’s always worth chatting to your health visitor or GP, they’re there to help.

In this article, we’ve consulted with three leading child experts to bring you everything you need to know about your baby’s first year: Charlie Blyth, founder of The Healthy Child Co. and a specialist public health nurse (health visitor); Dr. Sharon Silberstein, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant; and Rachel Coley, Paediatric Occupational Therapist and child development expert at Lovevery. Now, let’s take a closer look at the incredible development and milestones your baby may reach in their first year!

Baby Developement Week by Week
Your baby’s growing fast – week by week, they’re learning to sit, crawl, and soon, take those first steps! ©Mother&Baby/ DAPA Images

Newborn phase

Charlie Blyth, founder of The Healthy Child Co. and a specialist public health nurse (health visitor) explains that in the first few weeks, newborns rely on reflexes and are highly sensitive to their environment. They begin to show preferences for faces and familiar sounds, while emotional bonding and sensory input from caregivers play a crucial role in their development.

Week 1

In week one, newborns typically sleep between 8 to 18 hours a day, which is totally normal. Contact naps are common during this time, and skin-to-skincuddles are incredibly soothing for both of you. Not only does it help regulate their body temperature, but it also reduces stress for your little one. Dr. Sharon Silberstein, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, highlights that "touch is one of the most important senses for your newborn, and holding your baby close can help them feel secure."

Charlie says you might notice reflexes like rooting – turning their head when their cheek is stroked – and the Moro reflex, where loud sounds make the baby fling their arms and arch their back. They may also instinctively grip your finger.

Week 2

By week two, your baby’s weight should stabilise and they should have returned to their birth weight by around day 10–14. Expect 8–12 feedings a day, with breastfeeds lasting up to 40 minutes and formula feeds around 1–2 ounces. These frequent feedings help with weight gain and emotional bonding. Charlie advises, "At this stage, babies are still learning to regulate their sleep and feeding cycles, so consistency and nurturing are key." Dr. Sharon suggests checking diaper output: mustard-coloured poop and clear, frequent urine (4–6 times a day).

Week 3

Your baby’s nervous system continues to mature, and you may notice more jerky movements, which are a normal part of motor development. Charlie notes, "You may also see your baby respond to the familiar scent of your skin and the sound of your voice, which helps strengthen those early emotional bonds.” Babies will begin to fixate on faces and may track objects briefly as their sensory development progresses.

Week 4

Your baby’s hearing and vision will improve significantly. They may still appear cross-eyed at times as their eye muscles strengthen, but they will begin to focus better on faces and objects. Charlie says, “Around this time, babies start making cooing sounds and vowel-like vocalisations. This is an important stage for their sensory development, especially through face-to-face interactions.” Babies will also prefer human faces over other shapes and respond to the sound of their caregiver's voice.

How to support your newborn baby's development

Health Visitor Charlie shares five ways:

•Hold and cuddle your baby frequently to promote bonding and emotional security.

•Offer tummy time daily (supervised) to build head and neck strength.

•Talk and sing to your baby to support auditory development.

•Respond promptly to your baby’s cries to build trust and reduce stress.

•Use high-contrast cards and facial expressions during face-to-face interactions to stimulate visual development.

Month 1: Newborn adjustments

According to Rachel Coley, Paediatric Occupational Therapist and child development expert at Lovevery, by one month your baby is developing early signs of head control, able to briefly lift their head during tummy time for a few seconds. This marks the beginning of strengthening their neck muscles. Rachel also notes that at this stage, babies can gaze at black-and-white images and faces from about 8-12 inches away.

At one month, your baby starts tracking objects with their eyes, Charlie says, though not yet confidently. Movements also become less jerky and more purposeful, laying the groundwork for future milestones like reaching and rolling.

Week 5

At 5 weeks, babies begin to stretch out more and are less curled up in the foetal position. Charlie says, "so we call this ‘extended limbs,’" but it’s really just that they lie flatter, often with their arms stretched back over their head instead of being tucked in a ball. Random, jerky arm and leg movements are very common at this stage and play an important role in supporting future development. Active playtime, including reaching and kicking, typically begins around 12–16 weeks.

Week 6

At six weeks, your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles continue to strengthen. By this stage, they may start lifting their head during tummy time and turning it from side to side, a significant developmental milestone. This sets the stage for more movement, including the future ability to roll over and crawl. Charlie stresses the importance of tummy time, stating "It helps build muscle strength and coordination, both of which are vital for future mobility milestones."

Week 7

By week 7, your baby will continue to grow rapidly, gaining around 1-2 inches in height. Additionally, their ability to focus and engage with the world around them will increase, especially in tracking objects and responding to sounds. Charlie notes, "Your baby is now beginning to make more refined visual and auditory distinctions, recognising certain faces, sounds, and objects."

Week 8

At 8 weeks, your baby’s motor skills are becoming more advanced. While their movements can still be quite jerky, parents might notice their baby beginning to open and close their hands or even bat at toys in a very uncoordinated way, but unlikely to start purposefully reaching. Charlie highlights, “At this stage, babies are starting to show more interest in different colours, textures, and sounds, which are key elements in their cognitive development." During this time, your baby will likely receive their 8-week vaccination, which marks an important health milestone as well.

How to support your one-month-old baby’s development

Health Visitor Charlie shares five ways:

• Hold your baby upright briefly to encourage head control.

• Use expressive facial expressions to promote bonding.

• Sing, talk, read, and make eye contact to support early communication.

• Introduce black-and-white or high-contrast toys for visual stimulation.

• Continue daily tummy time to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.

Month 2: Big changes, bigger smiles

At two months, Rachel says, your baby "looks at and responds to you with their face, movements, or sounds. Watches a slowly moving object or person at a short distance."

Week 9

During this period, your baby’s muscles and motor control are becoming more refined. They may begin to lift their head and chest more easily during tummy time and may start pushing up with their arms.

Week 10

At 10 weeks, your baby’s social interactions are increasing. They may begin to smile more intentionally, especially in response to familiar faces and voices. You may also notice their increasing ability to focus on objects and begin tracking things with their eyes.

Week 11

Your baby may start to develop more coordination as they begin to reach and grasp for toys more deliberately. You will likely see your baby begin to mimic expressions or sounds, signalling early attempts at communication.

Week 12

By 12 weeks, your baby’s motor skills continue to improve, and they may begin rolling over or showing more controlled movements. Their social interactions are likely more pronounced, and they may smile, giggle, or coo in response to your actions.

How to support your 2-month-old baby’s development

• Hold and cuddle your baby often to encourage bonding.
• Offer daily supervised tummy time to build neck and shoulder strength.
• Talk and sing to your baby to develop their listening skills.
• Respond promptly to their coos and cries to build trust.
• Use high-contrast toys or cards to stimulate their vision.

Month 3: Social smiles and first movements

At three months, your baby is becoming more playful and expressive. Rachel notes they can "hold their head up when upright" and "move their arm toward a toy, though they may not grasp it yet." This is also when you'll see their "first genuine social smiles" and hear cooing sounds. These milestones mark the start of social engagement, with your baby responding to your voice and showing more interest in people and toys.

Week 13

Your baby may begin smiling with purpose, especially in response to familiar faces or voices. Eye contact becomes more meaningful, and their social skills are blossoming as they begin recognising you as their main source of comfort and interaction. Charlie adds, "They're beginning to recognise faces and respond more intentionally to social cues, a sign of developing social awareness."

Week 14

Their periods of alertness lengthen, and they may enjoy quiet moments of face-to-face communication. As Charlie points out, "Mimicking facial expressions is a key milestone in social development, signalling that babies are starting to engage in a more interactive and reciprocal way."

Week 15

Your baby may begin to reach for toys, exploring them by bringing them to their mouth. Their hand-eye coordination is improving, making playtime more interactive and purposeful. Charlie highlights, "Reaching for and exploring toys is an early sign of hand-eye coordination, which will continue to develop over the coming months."

Week 16

Expect more vocalisations. Your baby is testing their voice and enjoying the reactions it brings. Charlie explains, "babies experiment with their voices, cooing and gurgling. This vocal play is an early step toward language development. They begin experimenting with single-syllable consonant-vowel sounds like 'ba,' 'ga,' 'da,' and 'ma,' marking an early stage of babbling."

Their body movements become more deliberate, with more kicking and wriggling as body awareness increases. "At three months, babies thrive on interaction with caregivers. They are comforted by being held, talked to, and shown affection," Charlie adds.

How to support your 3-month-old baby's development

Health Visitor Charlie shares four ways:

• Engage in tummy time daily to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.

• Talk, sing, and smile to encourage social interaction.

• Use toys with movement and sound to stimulate sensory development.

• Provide a safe, stimulating environment for visual tracking and reaching.

Month 4: Exploring and expressing

At four months, Rachel says babies can "grasp toys and explore them with their hands, eyes, and mouth, and they begin to laugh." Your baby’s social and physical skills are growing rapidly. They’re becoming more curious and engaged with their surroundings, and their motor skills are getting stronger and more coordinated.

Week 17

You'll likely hear bigger laughs and notice more deliberate attempts at making sounds. Babies at this age start using their voice to get attention or express emotion.

Week 18

Your baby may begin sitting with support and following objects with smoother, more accurate eye tracking. They are now more visually aware and interested in exploring what’s around them.

Week 19

Tummy time becomes even more productive, as your baby may start pushing up on their arms and possibly rolling from tummy to back. These movements help build strength and coordination.

Week 20

Social engagement deepens. Your baby may reach out intentionally for toys or your face, seeking interaction. Giggles, eye contact, and smiles are regular parts of your day.

How to support your 4-month-old baby’s development

• Provide toys that encourage reaching and grasping.
• Engage in interactive play with smiles and sounds.
• Offer supervised tummy time to strengthen muscles.
• Introduce simple games like peek-a-boo to build attention.
• Maintain consistent sleep and feeding routines.

Month 5: Sensory and fine motor development

Your baby is gaining strength and exploring with their hands. They're fascinated by textures and starting to refine their grasp. Rachel also adds, atfive months, "They reach toward their feet when on their back, begin intentionally rolling from belly to back, and move or make sounds to show interest in continuing an activity, like rocking on your lap to prompt you to resume bouncing them."

Week 21

They might begin transferring objects from one hand to another, showing increased dexterity. This is also when babies start to show clear interest in reaching for specific objects.

Week 22

Rolling in both directions might begin. Tummy time is now a favourite activity, building the strength needed for sitting and crawling.

Week 23

Babies continue to babble with consonant-vowel sounds like "ba" and "ga." They’re getting more expressive, experimenting with tone and pitch, and starting to engage in simple back-and-forth "conversations," laying the groundwork for real communication.

Week 24

Your baby will likely be exploring through mouthing and touching. They might enjoy toys with different textures and are beginning to recognise cause and effect — shaking a rattle makes noise!

How to support your 5-month-old baby’s development

• Encourage sitting with support to develop core strength.
• Provide textured toys for sensory exploration.
• Engage in mirror play to promote self-awareness.
• Introduce simple signs or gestures to aid communication.
• Keep regular feeding and sleep schedules.

Month 6: Sitting up and starting solids

This month brings major changes. Many babies begin sitting with little to no support and may be ready to start solids, depending on developmental cues.

Week 25

Your baby may now sit briefly on their own or with minimal support. Charlie says, "At six months, babies can sit with support and briefly hold their posture." They could show interest in food by reaching for your meals or spoons. Your baby may also show improvements in hearing and language. Charlie says, "They respond to their name, turning their head or vocalising when it's called. They show pleasure in rhythmic or familiar sounds, such as music or voices."

Week 26

Solid food exploration may begin. Signs like good head control, watching others eat, and sitting up with assistance indicate readiness. At six months, the NHS recommends introducing your baby to solid foods, also known as weaning or complementary feeding. Charlie says, "In terms of visual and fine motor skills, babies now transfer objects from hand to hand, reach and grab toys with more coordination, and examine objects with increased curiosity and attention to detail."

Week 27

Laughter becomes more frequent and expressive. Charlie says, "At this stage, babies recognise familiar people and show excitement or comfort when seeing known faces. They laugh out loud and engage in joyful interactions with others. They also enjoy simple games, like tickling or peek-a-boo."

Week 28

Social preferences may become clearer. They might show excitement when seeing favourite people or toys.

How to support your 6-month-old baby's development

Health Visitor Charlie shares four ways:

• Encourage sitting and rolling with supervised floor play.

• Offer safe toys to promote reaching, grasping, and transferring.

• Respond to babbles and talk often to encourage communication.

• Use mirrors and interactive games to build social connection.

Month 7: Crawling and exploring the environment

Mobility becomes a major focus as your baby gears up for crawling or may already be on the move in their own way. According to Rachel, at seven months, babies "try to move toward a toy just out of reach, bang and shake toys, and turn to look when their name is called."

Week 29

Your baby may get into a crawling position and rock back and forth. This is a strong sign that crawling is just around the corner.

Week 30

Some babies start to move using army crawls or scooting. They’re eager to reach for toys and explore.

Week 31

Rolling and pivoting to get closer to objects are common. Their problem-solving abilities are growing.

Week 32

Pulling up to stand may begin. Your baby is strengthening their legs and balance, often using furniture or your legs as support.

How to support your 7-month-old baby’s development

• Encourage crawling to build coordination.
• Play peek-a-boo to teach object permanence.
• Offer safe spaces for exploring independently.
• Provide toys that encourage problem-solving.
• Keep routines consistent to support security.

Month 8: Sitting strong and social play

Your baby is becoming more coordinated and enjoys social interactions. Sitting unaided is becoming second nature. Rachel says that at eight months, babies "use both hands to bang two toys together or pass an object from one hand to the other, look for an object that moves out of sight, and begin to understand a few words for common objects or people."

Week 33

Independent sitting is well established. They can play with both hands while sitting and enjoy exploring toys in more depth.

Week 34

Interactive play like clapping, pat-a-cake, and peek-a-boo become favourites. Your baby thrives on repetition and social feedback.

Week 35

Babbling becomes more complex, with repeated consonant sounds. Your baby is preparing for speech by mimicking tones and patterns.

Week 36

They may start responding to simple gestures like waving or pointing. Social communication is becoming more nuanced.

How to support your 8-month-old baby’s development

• Support standing with help to strengthen legs.
• Give cause-and-effect toys to boost thinking skills.
• Play simple hide-and-seek games to develop memory.
• Offer varied textured toys for sensory learning.
• Engage frequently in social play.

Month 9: Standing with support and improving fine motor skills

Your baby’s balance, coordination, and communication are advancing. Standing and precise hand movements become more common. Rachel says at nine months, "They pull up to a standing position, get upset when separated from you, and grasp small pieces of soft food by raking it into their palm." Charlie adds, "Babies show increased mobility, more coordinated hand use, and early signs of language comprehension. They engage socially and display preferences and anxiety around strangers."

Week 37

Standing while holding onto furniture is likely. Charlie says, “Your baby may begin pulling to stand, using furniture to pull themselves up into a standing position.” Your baby is building strength and confidence in their legs. If you haven't already, now is an excellent time to start babyproofing. You may also notice that their babbling becomes more complex, like saying ‘babababa’ or ‘dadada.’”

Week 38

Your baby begins picking up small objects using their thumb and finger, developing their pincer grasp. They can transfer toys hand to hand and are able to coordinate both hands during play. They may also start pointing with their index finger, signalling visual attention and emerging communication.

Week 39

You’ll notice more gestures, like pointing to what they want or reaching up to be held. Charlie says, “At this stage, stranger anxiety may begin. Babies may cling to caregivers and show discomfort with unfamiliar faces. They start imitating gestures and facial expressions, learning through observation.”

Charlie mentions, “Your baby will likely start responding to their name, either by looking or turning when called. They may begin to understand a few words, like ‘bye’ or ‘no,’ and show early comprehension of common instructions.”

Week 40

Imitating simple actions becomes more common. Your baby may copy waving, clapping, or using toys correctly.

How to support your 9-month-old baby's development

Health Visitor Charlie shares four ways:

• Provide safe opportunities for crawling and movement.

• Name familiar people and objects to build vocabulary.

• Use toys that require finger coordination, like blocks or stacking rings.

• Play interactive games like peek-a-boo and clapping.

Month 10: First steps and first words?

At 10 months, Rachel notes that babies "take a few steps to the side to ‘cruise’ while holding onto furniture, start repeating sounds or imitating words, and enjoy putting objects in an open container and dumping them out." This is an exciting milestone as many babies begin walking with support and may even say their first meaningful words. "They’re learning language through daily interaction," Rachel adds, as babies show growing comprehension of the world around them.

Week 41

Cruising — walking while holding onto furniture — is common at this age. "Your baby may also want to walk holding your hands," Rachel says. "At this point, they’re getting more curious about their surroundings," and babies may begin reaching for objects or moving towards something that catches their interest. This week marks increased exploration as babies work on strengthening their coordination and muscle control.

Week 42

By week 42, simple words like “mama” or “dada” may be used meaningfully. "They’re starting to use sounds to communicate their needs," says Rachel. This is a big language milestone. Many babies begin to develop object permanence at this stage, which is when they realise that things continue to exist even when they can't see them. "Your baby might begin looking for hidden toys, which shows their growing understanding of the world around them," Rachel explains.

Week 43

Your baby may begin to engage in more complex play such as stacking blocks, placing objects in containers, or sorting shapes. These actions show improved fine motor skills and early problem-solving abilities. This is a time of rapid learning as babies start connecting actions with outcomes.

Week 44

According to Charlie, babies at this age use simple gestures like waving, clapping, pointing, and holding up their arms to be picked up. Imitation is common too for example, waving goodbye when someone leaves or when prompted by someone saying “bye.” They might smile at someone entering the room, launch themselves for a hug, or even give open-mouthed kisses.

How to support your 10-month-old baby’s development

• Encourage cruising along furniture for balance.
• Read simple books to enhance language skills.
• Play interactive games to build social skills.
• Provide safe toys for motor development.
• Maintain consistent sleep and feeding routines.

Month 11: Cruising and expanding social skills

At 11 months, your baby is becoming more mobile, expressive, and independent, gaining confidence in their abilities. Rachel notes, "At this stage, babies often stand briefly on their own and may attempt to take steps, wave hello or goodbye when prompted." This period marks significant advancements in both physical and social development.

Week 45

Your baby may start standing on their own for a few seconds. This balance is an important step toward walking. At this age, they are gaining more muscle strength and coordination, which will soon lead to independent steps. They may also begin to explore their surroundings more and start to move around by cruising along furniture or crawling quickly.

Week 46

By week 46, you may notice more syllable combinations in your baby's speech, such as “baba” or “nana.” They are enjoying experimenting with sounds, and making noise is a way to get your attention. Their communication skills are growing as they learn to use sound patterns and begin to understand the connection between words and their meanings.

Week 47

Your baby may start initiating games or play. According to Charlie, this might look like clapping to get your attention, throwing a toy, book, or block toward you, or looking at you to join in. They may also use sounds like screeching or squealing to communicate and grab your focus. Sometimes, they’ll move toward something they know is ‘no’ and then look back at you to see if you’ve noticed. While some parents might call this behaviour ‘cheeky,’ it’s really an early form of communication saying, “Play with me!”

Week 48

Cruising and crawling are becoming swift and purposeful. Your baby may explore different rooms and follow you around as their curiosity grows. They are getting more confident in their movement and may start navigating spaces independently. This marks significant progress in both motor skills and their ability to explore the world around them.

How to support your 11-month-old baby’s development

• Encourage independent standing to build confidence.
• Use simple words and gestures to support communication.
• Engage in role-play to foster imagination.
• Offer plenty of chances for exploration.
• Spend regular time playing and bonding.

Month 12: Happy birthday!

Your baby is one year old! They may be walking, talking, and showcasing their unique personality. This month caps off an incredible year of growth. At 12 months, Rachel says babies “begin to use familiar objects or toys for their intended purpose, like bringing a brush to their hair or rolling a toy car. They can follow simple directions when paired with a gesture, as you point. They may also attempt to climb furniture or stairs, so close supervision is important.”

Week 49

Charlie says, “Many babies can stand alone and may take their first steps. They might say one or two clear words like ‘mama’ or ‘dada,’ or name a favourite object. They often wave goodbye or clap in response to social cues and start looking at pictures in books, beginning to connect images with meaning.”

Independent steps may begin if they haven’t already. Each baby is different, some walk earlier, while others take a bit more time.

Week 50

Your baby may start following more complex instructions and show increased awareness of daily routines.

Charlie says, “Socially and emotionally, babies seek comfort from familiar adults, showing clear attachment and emotional awareness. They start to show preferences for certain people and toys and may initiate simple social games, like handing you a toy or starting a playful exchange.”

Week 51

Charlie explains, “By now, the pincer grasp is well developed, babies can pick up small items between their thumb and forefinger. They begin placing objects into containers, practising spatial awareness and hand control. Some may even start turning pages in a book, though often several at once.”

She adds, “Many babies say a few recognisable words and may name familiar people or objects. They start to understand simple instructions like ‘come here’ or ‘give me.’ Their babbling becomes more expressive and takes on the intonation patterns of adult speech.”

At this stage, play focuses more on understanding everyday objects and mimicking adult behaviours rather than imaginative play. Babies might try brushing their hair with a brush or talking on a phone, actions they have observed. This reflects their growing awareness of how things work.

At 51 weeks, play often involves manipulating objects to explore cause and effect, shaking toys to make sounds or searching for hidden items. The emphasis is on exploring objects and actions they have seen in their daily environment, rather than pretending.

Week 52

You now have a curious, social, and mobile toddler. They’re likely saying a few words, following simple gestures, and showing clear likes and dislikes. Happy first birthday!

How to support your one year old baby’s development

Health Visitor Charlie shares four ways:

• Encourage walking with push toys or safe open space.

• Name everyday objects and respond to their babbling.

• Offer board books, stacking toys, and nesting cups.

• Allow choices in play to support independence and decision-making.

Disclaimer: Rachel is quick to say that "These are some of the most commonly observed ages for these skills. Not achieving any of these skills in the month listed does not indicate a developmental delay. Please discuss any developmental concerns with your baby’s physician."

Baby Developement Week by Week
Experts recommend play as a key activity for helping babies reach important developmental milestones. ©Loveevery

The importance of play and toys

Play really is a baby’s work. As the NHS puts it, it’s their main “occupation” in early childhood. Through play, little ones develop vital skills from communication and coordination to creativity and connection.

Rachel agrees, "Toys that are designed with purpose can help children learn and bond with you in meaningful ways."

It’s not about having loads of toys, it’s about choosing ones that match your baby’s stage of development. "The best toys are those that encourage babies to practise new skills right as they’re emerging," Rachel adds. This helps babies build confidence while supporting brain and body development.

That’s why some parents choose structured play kits, like those from Lovevery, which are designed to align with a child’s developmental timeline. The idea is to offer just the right kind of play at the right time, so your baby stays engaged and learns through doing.

How parents can support their baby’s development

Rachel shares some tips for encouraging your baby’s development through everyday play

Let them move freely

"Some of the most important physical, sensory and cognitive skills your baby will develop… happen through moving their body." Try to give your baby time out of seats and swings so they can wriggle, stretch, roll and reach on the floor. Even just a few minutes here and there makes a difference.

Don’t stress about milestones

Every baby goes at their own pace, and milestones aren’t deadlines. "A single lagging skill does not indicate a problem with development." What matters is the overall pattern. If you’re unsure, check in with your GP or health visitor.

Make tummy time fun

Not all babies love it, and that’s okay. Rachel suggests trying it on your chest or adding toys and voices to keep things interesting: "What can you offer your baby to look at, touch, or hear during tummy time?" Short sessions really do add up.

Play your way through it

Instead of focusing on ticking off milestones, look at play as the path to them. The Lovevery app offers weekly ideas based on your baby’s age, great for when you’re stuck for inspiration or just want to check you’re on track.

Baby development FAQs

At what age should a baby start sitting up, and how can parents help?

Around six months, babies usually start sittingwith support. By seven months, many can sit independently though this can vary from five to eight months.

Charlie suggests starting by supporting your baby in a seated position and placing toys within reach to encourage balance and build core strength. "Interactive songs like Row, Row, Row Your Boat and Pat-a-Cake help with stability as they move their bodies," she says. Gradually reduce your support as their balance improves but always supervise closely.

When do most babies crawl, and is it okay if they don’t?

Babies may crawl anywhere between five and 11 months. Charlie says, “There are lots of crawling styles, classic, belly, bear, bum-shuffling, or even skipping it altogether.” Some babies go straight from rolling to walking. Every baby moves differently, and that’s okay.

How can parents encourage standing and walking between 9–12 months?

“Play is key,” Charlie says. Let your baby pull up on sturdy furniture and place toys just out of reach to motivate movement. Early standing may only last seconds and often ends in a fall, so soft surfaces are best. Bare feet help with balance, and holding your baby’s hands can offer extra support. “Lots of praise at every stage will keep them motivated,” she adds.

How can parents support speech as babies approach their first words?

“Talk to your baby as much as possible,” says Charlie. Narrate your day, describe what they see, and read books. Nursery rhymes and repetition help them recognise sounds.
Exaggerated facial expressions and gestures support learning, waving when you say “bye-bye,” for example.
Avoid baby talk and instead use full words. “Respond to babbles like it’s a conversation, this teaches the rhythm of speech.” She adds that background audio doesn’t replace real interaction, so focus on face-to-face chat when you can.

How can parents help babies transition to solids between 6–12 months?

“Offer variety without pressure,” Charlie advises. Whether you’re starting with purées or finger foods, expose your baby to new textures and flavours. Start with savoury foods like vegetables. Let your baby self-feed with soft items like steamed carrots or ripe bananas.

“They might spit things out or make faces, it’s all part of learning.” Keep offering new foods without forcing them, and follow your baby’s cues for hunger and fullness. Continue with milk feeds while gradually building up meals. “And embrace the mess, it’s how babies learn!”

About the expert

Charlie Blyth has also provided her expert advice and medically reviewed this article. Charlie is the founder of The Healthy Child Co and a dedicated specialist public health nurse (Health Visitor) with over 13 years of experience in the NHS, including 9 years as a health visitor, where she supported hundreds of families in the community.

Rachel Coley, MS, OT/L, is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, mum of three, and Child Development Expert at Lovevery. With over 18 years of experience in early intervention, Rachel is dedicated to supporting family development, helping parents foster their children's growth through movement and play.

Dr Sharon Silberstein, MD, IBCLC, is a medical doctor with 12 years of experience. She has been a Tongue Tie Practitioner since 2016 and has supported breastfeeding families since 2014. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and has trained in Gynaecology and Obstetrics.

About the author

Anne Lora Scagliusi is a Senior Digital Writer at Mother & Baby. She is a Scotland-based journalist with over a decade of international writing experience, specialising in women’s health, maternal mental health, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Glamour and has appeared on several Vogue global editions. She is a mum to one very energetic bambino and splits her time between Italy and the UK.

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