All babies grow at their own individual pace and in their own good time. However, all babies need to progress in time in their maturity and independence. Developmental milestones are a good way to check if a baby is learning and developing as they need to.   

Developmental milestones 

When a child develops and achieves new skills, these are called milestones.  Looking for a child’s increasing ability to do things and progress towards independence is a sign of development.   Milestones cover a range of developmental areas, including gross and fine motor skills, cognition, speech and language as well as social and emotional development. Not all children will meet developmental milestones at the same age. However, it’s important that as they mature, they’re able to do more things which will ultimately support their growing independence. 

Genetics and environment play a large role in a child’s development, though even children in the same family can develop skills at very different ages.  What’s important is progress and steadily building on new skills.  It’s not uncommon for children to slow or stall in learning new things, followed by periods when they can seem to be learning a whole lot of new skills in a short period of time.   

Development and toilet training 

Nappies are a fact of life with babies and toddlers. It’s not until they’re around 18 months of age, at the earliest, that toddlers can begin the toilet training process, however some children aren’t ready until much later.   

When should I be concerned about my baby’s development? 

The most important sign that you need to have your baby checked is if you are feeling worried. It’s normal to compare our children against others of the same age and sometimes comparing milestones can be helpful. If you notice your child isn’t progressing in their development, it’s always reasonable to have them checked.  

Below are some key milestones to watch out for at each stage. Remember, every child will develop at their own rate. 

Newborn – babies up to 3 months (Up to 5kg)  

• During this phase, your baby should show signs they can see and hear you.  

Infants – 3-6 months (4-8kg) 

• By about three months, their hands start to open and less often, they are forming fists.   
• They should be able to hold their head up around 3-4 months of age. 
• Now is when they may start to babble.  

Crawlers – 6 to 12 months (6-11kg) 

• Smiling.
• Eye contact.  
• Holding and reaching for objects.  
• Sitting unsupported by around 10 months. 
• Typically, crawling starts between 6 & 11 months  
• Can start practicing with feeding themselves. 

Toddlers – 1 year to 2 years (10-15kg) 

• Walking typically starts between 12-18months.  
• Scribbling and drawing.  
• Putting words together.  

Walkers – 2 year-3 years (13-18kg) 

• Pretend play.  
• Interacting with others. 
• Start understanding feelings. 
• Simple sentences are forming. 
• Attempt everyday skills.  
• Running and jumping. 

Juniors – 3 years and over (16kg+)  

• Most children are toilet trained in the day by the age of 4 years.  
• Follows directions.  
• Throws and kicks a ball.  

5 interesting facts about development 

1. Children develop in a head to toe or cephalo-caudal direction. For example, they learn to hold their head up, then sit, crawl, stand and then walk. 
2. Most early development is centred around supporting relationship building with parents and caregivers. Eye contact and smiling are valuable ways to boost emotional connection. 
3. Boys and girls tend to develop in different ways, and often boys tend to be a little slower than girls.  
4. Development usually happens in the same order in most children, but the age when children achieve their milestones is individual.  
5. If a baby is not meeting their milestones, this can be a sign of a delay in their development.  

When should I be concerned about my baby’s development? 

The most important sign that you need to have your baby checked is if you are feeling worried. It’s normal to compare our children against others of the same age and sometimes comparing milestones can be helpful. If you notice your child isn’t progressing in their development, it’s always reasonable to have them checked.  

It can also be helpful to have some insight into the ‘Red Flags” for development. Speak with your GP and/or Child Health Nurse if you’re concerned about any aspect of your child’s development. Sometimes referral to a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or developmental assessment team is beneficial. Early assessment and if needed, therapies can make a big difference to development.  

Written for Tooshies by Jane Barry, Midwife and Child Health Nurse, October 2022.