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Infant and Newborn Development
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Children Teenagers

Infant and Newborn Development

During their first year, babies develop foundational skills across several key areas, though every child progresses at their own unique pace.

Areas of Growth

When will my baby take his first step or say her first word? During their first year, babies start to develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives. The normal growth of babies can be broken down into the following areas:

  • Gross motor - controlling the head, sitting, crawling, maybe even starting to walk
  • Fine motor - holding a spoon, picking up a piece of cereal between thumb and finger
  • Sensory - seeing, hearing, tasting, touching and smelling
  • Language - starting to make sounds, learning some words, understanding what people say
  • Social - the ability to play with family members and other children

Understanding Development

Babies do not develop at the same rate. There is a wide range of what is considered "normal." Your baby may be ahead in some areas and slightly behind in others. If you are worried about possible delays, talk to your baby's health care provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

While every baby develops at their own speed, certain signs warrant immediate medical attention. These include not making eye contact by three months, not smiling by four months, not babbling or making sounds by six months, not responding to their name by nine months, or not pulling to stand or cruising by 12 to 15 months. If your child loses skills they previously had, such as stopping hand use or losing verbal sounds, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Parents can use a developmental checklist provided by their pediatrician or reputable health organizations to track progress monthly. Record specific dates when your baby achieves new skills, such as rolling over, sitting without support, or using a pincer grasp. Keep a simple journal of these events to share with your provider during checkups. This record helps identify patterns and ensures that any subtle delays are caught early, rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.
Yes, this is very common and usually not a cause for concern. For example, a baby might be walking early but not yet speaking in full sentences, or have excellent fine motor skills but be slow to socialize. Developmental domains often progress independently. As long as the child is meeting the broad range of expected milestones for their age group in most areas, slight variations in timing between different skills are typically part of normal individual variation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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