What to Expect: Baby Milestones 0-6 Months

Pregnancy has probably been about getting used to pregnancy and preparing for your newborn. Once your newborn has arrived, they will be changing and growing every single day. So what can you expect from your little one in those first six months?

Milestones refer to major checkpoints in development. While you should avoid comparing your little one to others and their development, it is good to have a general idea of what to expect and help your baby learn as they grow.

Read on for a breakdown of your baby’s development and milestones they will likely hit within those first 6 months of life.

Baby Milestones 0-3 Months

Your baby’s growth and development can be separated into four categories: Motor, sensory, communication, and feeding.

Motor Milestones

• While on their belly, they begin to push up on arms and raise their head up.
• Make a fist and open palm with their hands.
• Bring hands to the mouth
• Move legs and arms around.
• Smile.

Sensory Milestones

• While laying on their back, attempting to grab objects above them, can visually follow moving objects in front of them, and can keep head centered.
• Are calmed by rocking, gentle sounds, and soft touches.
• Recognize and find comfort in caretaker and their voice.
• Focus on nearby objects.

Communication Milestones

• Quiets or smiles when hearing the caretaker’s voice.
• Turns to look toward the noise.
• Nonverbal communication through eyes and faces.
• Eye contact
• Crying differently for different needs
• Cooing
• Smiling

Feeding Milestones

• Latches to nipple or bottle.
• Tongue movements to successfully feed.
• Drinking 2 oz. to 6 oz. per feeding up to 6 times per day.
• Can suck, feed, and swallow during feeding.

Baby Milestones 3-6 Months

From three to six months, your baby will master the skills they’ve started, and add in some more as they grow.

Motor Milestones

• Using hands to support themselves
• Rolls around
• Can stand with support 
• Reaches for objects nearby from sitting or lying positions
• Play with feet
• Transfers toy from one hand to the other

Sensory Milestones

• Uses both hands
• More awake and happy when not hungry or tired
• Brings hands to mouth
• Calmed with rocking, gentle touch, or sounds
• Adapted to everyday sounds
• Ability to do a variety of movements

Communication Milestones

• Reaction to noise
• Listens and responds
• Consonant sounds and babbling
• Gets attention through babbling
• Notices and plays with interactive toys

Feeding Milestones

• Shows interest in food
• Opens mouth for food
• Properly takes in and swallows pureed food
• Eats more pureed foods and other soft foods or cereals

During this time, you will see your little one growing in other ways, too. By keeping these milestones in mind, you can have a better idea of where your little one should be in their development, and notice if anything should be discussed with a professional.

If you have concerns or are not seeing your baby progress, it is never a bad idea to discuss your thoughts with your pediatrician.

Measuring Baby’s Development With Milestones

Milestones have been created by experts, and are used to monitor infants’ development. It is used to catch concerning symptoms or delays early, as well as celebrate progress in growth. Each baby is different and will develop when they’re ready. Some babies skip the crawling phase and go right to walking! Take in every small achievement with your little one, and enjoy it!