Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary rate, and each milestone will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major stages of their development and how to communicate with them to help stimulate their learning.
During his first year, your baby will progress at an extraordinary speed: lying down, sitting up, then crawling and finally standing, he will eventually accomplish the greatest feat, his first steps!
From birth, your child will improve their muscle control and coordination day by day through various experiences. Alongside this brain maturation, they will gain weight and grow, their limbs will lengthen, and their muscles will gain strength.
At each stage of their development, support them by giving them your attention, encouragement, and praise, and by offering new activities as they progress: this way, you will best stimulate their learning and development. Also, have confidence in their abilities: your child will sense this and draw extra strength from it to move forward.
And if your baby doesn't reach all the milestones within the indicated timeframe, don't worry! Even though there are some average age guidelines, children develop their motor skills at their own pace, and many factors can influence their progress: whether they were born prematurely (or at gestational age), their size, their temperament, the stimulation they receive, etc. regular check-ups with your doctor These will be all opportunities to check that your little one is developing properly.
At birth
When your baby is born, their limbs are flexed, and their neck and chest have little muscle tone. They are unable to hold their head up on their own for more than a few seconds: remember to place a hand under their neck when you lift them! Their movements are involuntary and uncoordinated. They possess several primitive reflexes that will disappear in the following months:
- If you stroke his cheek, he will turn his head towards your finger and open his mouth to suckle.
- A finger placed in his mouth triggers a sucking reflex.
- If you lift him a little too abruptly or he feels any physical discomfort, he suddenly extends his arms and legs, opening his hands, then brings his limbs back into flexion: this is the Moro reflex.
- Held upright on a surface, it automatically takes a few steps: your baby already knows how to walk, but will soon forget it in order to relearn it later.
- If you lightly touch the palm of his hand with one of your fingers, he grips it tightly and holds it fast.
Around 1 month
- You can capture your baby's gaze by placing yourself close to their face and moving gently: they will follow you with their eyes.
- He "smiles at the angels" when he feels good.
Around 2 months
- Your baby holds their head straight for a few moments, then it wobbles.
- If you hold him sitting up, his back is always limp and he remains hunched over.
- He sucks his fingers.
- Between one and two months, he will give you his first real smiles, in response to a request from you.
Around 3 months
- Your baby is now able to hold his head straight when you hold him in your arms.
- His back becomes increasingly toned when you hold him sitting down.
- If you lay him on his stomach, he will lift his head and support himself on his forearms for a few moments.
- Lying on his back, he extends and bends his legs alternately.
- He is fascinated by his hands, which he spends a lot of time contemplating.
- If you place a rattle in his hand, he will automatically grasp it and then drop it.
Around 4 months
- Lying on their back, your baby explores their body by stroking their tummy or knees. They can also roll onto their side.
- He manages to hold an object placed in his hand for a few moments, but he still often loses it.
- He brings his hands together and holds them tightly.
- He turns his head when he hears a noise.
- He starts laughing loudly.
Around 5 months
- Lying on their back, your child "pedals" and plays with their little feet.
- He can sit up for a short time if you prop him up with cushions.
- He grabs an object placed within his reach and immediately brings it to his mouth to suck on it.
- He smiled at his reflection in the mirror.
Around 6 months
- Placed on his stomach, he manages to roll back onto his back.
- Lying on his back, he plays with his feet and brings them to his mouth. He also lifts his head and torso to try to sit up by himself, but he cannot.
- He stretches his arms out towards you so that you will take him.
- It holds up very well his toys . He drops one if you offer him another.
- When you support him in a standing position, his legs make flexion-extension movements like springs: this is the "jumper" stage.
Around 7 months
- Your baby is finally able to sit up: this is a great victory for him! In this position, he holds his back and head very straight without moving.
- Lying on his stomach, he is able to support himself on one hand to grab a toy with the other.
- He rolls from his back to his stomach and from his stomach to his back.
- He passes his toys from one hand to the other without letting go and bangs them on a table.
Around 8 months
- When sitting, your baby can lean forward to grab a toy, then straighten up without falling. They use their hands for support to maintain their balance.
- Lying on their back, your child manages to sit up on their own by supporting themselves on one of their arms.
- He can drink from a bottle or a sippy cup by himself.
Around 9 months
- When seated, your baby pivots on their bottom to change direction.
- When placed on its stomach, it can get onto all fours (in a "bear" position), but it cannot yet move forward. However, it can move by crawling, using its forearms for support. But it starts by going backwards!
- He manages to stand for a few moments by holding onto the bars of his playpen, a piece of furniture or your hand, then he falls to a sitting position.
- He grasped small objects between his thumb and forefinger.
- He hands you his toys and gives them to you.
Around 10 months
- Your baby is crawling, and can even go very fast. They've finally mastered mobility! However, don't panic if your child doesn't adopt this mode of locomotion: some babies go straight to walking without ever crawling.
- He straightens up, first getting onto his knees, then adopting the "knight in shining armor" position, one knee on the ground and the other leg bent and supported on the foot. From this position, he pushes off with his feet while holding onto a support with his hands, and there he is, standing!
- If your child manages to stand up by holding onto the bars of their bed or playpen, they will probably walk in about 3 months.
- He takes a few steps while holding onto the furniture but falls frequently.
Around 11 months
- Your baby can stand unsupported for a few moments.
- Standing, holding on with one hand, he manages to bend down to pick something up from the ground.
- He walks when you hold both his hands, or while holding onto furniture. You might be surprised by his clownish gait, with his arms and legs spread wide: this is perfectly normal and this playful posture helps him better control his balance. Little by little, he will reduce the distance between his legs, which will allow him to gain confidence and move from one surface to another with greater freedom.
- He points to the objects that interest him.
- He waves "goodbye" and "bravo" with his hands.
Between 12 and 15 months
- On average, around 14 months. Your baby is walking on their own . What a fantastic achievement in such a short time!
- He stands up on his own without support.
- He climbs a staircase on all fours.
