By:
Casey Freymiller, MD FAAP
Your baby's first year of life comes with many changes, challenges and rewards. At times you may feel barely able to keep up, but at other moments wondering what else you can do to support their development.
Over the first year, your baby will quickly go from sleepy days to never ending movement and playtime. You'll be amazed at the progress just one year can mean! Taking time to play and be physically active with your baby will help them learn and grow.
Activities to support baby’s first-year milestones
0-3 months
The first weeks after birth are a period of adjustment for baby and you. Newborns will snooze much of the day, and you will notice their cues for hunger and wet diapers. During this time, your baby enjoys movement, warmth and your voice. Gentle rocking, slow dancing, talking and singing can make babies feel loved and secure.
Supervised
tummy time is great for your baby's development. It can be as simple as having your little one lay on your chest while you are both awake. Babies will be strong enough to lift their head up by the time they turn a month old. Newborns will move their arms and legs in reaction to your touch, but after the first few weeks they will start to kick on their own.
Newborns can only see short distances, so hold them close to help them recognize your face. Screen time and media are not recommended for babies at this age.
3-6 months
After the first 3 months, you will notice more routines for eating, napping, sleeping and playtime. You'll really start to know your baby's needs. Infant brains thrive on routines, so aim for a regular schedule that works for your family.
Babies begin to roll over during this time—front to back, and the other way later on. They learn to push their feet down into the floor or bounce when you hold them close. Continue to practice tummy time. Soon, they will learn to push off with their forearms to look at you and their toys.
Babies will love to look at you and
smile and eventually learn to laugh with you. Your infant will want to reach and grab objects. So,
reading with a fabric or board book is an excellent way to keep your baby's mind and body active.
Closer to 6 months, they will enjoy mirrors and imitating new sounds with you. Let your infant explore clean,
safe objects with their mouth. Remember that infants do not need screens or media at this age.
6-9 months
At around 6 months old, your baby will learn to sit—first with support, then by themselves. Eventually, this skill turns into crawling with arms alone, then they learn to use their legs as well.
Practice these skills by playing with toys on the floor that they can reach or crawl to. When your baby reaches a new toy or learns a new skill, congratulate them by clapping and cheering. They will learn to bang toys together. They'll also learn where they go when they fall to the ground.
Continue to read with your baby. Pointing to pictures of interest and making new sounds for them (doggy goes woof woof!). Your baby continues to learn and grow best with a routine, so try to stick to one schedule that works for your family day after day.
9-12 months
In the last few months before their first birthday, your infant may be in constant motion. They may be learning to crawl from sitting and trying to escape diaper changes. They will want to pull up to walk along furniture but might be afraid to take those first steps alone.
Learning to find hidden objects and to play peek-a-boo are very important milestones at this age. They will love to practice these fun new skills over and over again (which can make going to bed a challenge)! Repeating your words to describe activities, pointing and singing are great ways to teach your baby.
Use new activities or toys to keep them busy and to
redirect behaviors you want them to stop. This can be more effective than repeating "no." Your voice, books and objects that your baby can grab are always more effective teaching tools than screen time.
Remember
As your baby develops, take advantage of every opportunity to help stimulate their mind and body. Simple, everyday things that you do with your baby make a big difference.
Here are activities that you can do with your baby at any age to support healthy development:
Read or sing out loud to your baby.
Play
music and/or gently dance with them.
Hug and hold your baby often.
Taking walks in a stroller or using an infant carrier can show your baby new things.
Limit screen time to just video chatting with family and friends.
More information
About Dr. Freymiller
 Casey Freymiller, MD FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician and assistant professor in the division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
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