Happy Birthday to baby! Here's what to expect this month.

Your baby is officially one year old. Happy birthday to baby! The changes this month are both bold and intentional. They’re more coordinated, more social, and starting to make real connections between language, movement, and play. They might be stacking blocks and saying their first words! At this point they're entering a new phase.

This month brings 40 exciting milestones across six developmental areas: Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive Development, Communication, Social-Emotional Development, and Sensory Processing. From those first steps to first words, your baby is transforming into a toddler, and the skills they’re building now are the foundation for what’s ahead.

Is your baby up to the challenge?

From the womb to their first birthday, your baby’s brain has been in overdrive. By 12 months, they’ve already built over 1 trillion neural connections, built through every milestone they've been developing along the way. [1] During their first year, they formed an estimated 700 new neural connections per second, and now those connections are starting to organize into stronger, more complex networks. [2]

This means your baby is no longer just reacting to the world, they’re actively engaging with it. They’re solving problems, remembering routines, expressing preferences, and taking their first steps. They're becoming more and more independent.

Why this month matters?

Your baby’s first birthday marks a major developmental transition. They’re shifting from instinctive behavior to intentional action. They can follow instructions, imitate what they see, seek help, and even begin using words to communicate. [3]

Gross motor skills like walking and bouncing aren’t just physical milestones, they also build balance, core strength, and spatial awareness. [4] Meanwhile, language development and emotional regulation are starting to sync, your baby now understands familiar words, imitates sounds with meaning, and may turn to you for comfort. This month, your baby is much more social, they are going from baby to toddler.

What are this month's milestones?

Movement is front and center this month as your baby becomes increasingly mobile. You may notice them bouncing on their legs while standing, turning their torso side to side, or lunging between pieces of furniture in your living room. Many babies will begin walking while pushing a box or walker, and some may even stand unsupported for a few seconds at a time. They’re also learning how to get into a seated position from lying on their stomach, and might surprise you by pushing doors closed when playing, simply because they can.

Your baby's hands will stay super busy! Your baby may begin to stack blocks, pull toys with wheels, and may be able to mark paper with a thick crayons, which are all early signs of fine motor control and creativity. Mealtime continues to be a time or exploration, as they try to feed themselves by putting their fork or spoon in their mouth using their hands, drink from a sippy cup, or even share by feeding a pet or sibling. They’ll enjoy taking objects out of boxes, flipping several pages of a board book, and giving and receiving a ball, though throwing is still underhand for now.

Cognitive skills are developing quickly. Your baby may repeat an action if you laugh or respond, showing they’re starting to recognize cause and effect. They’ll point to familiar objects when asked, and may even follow simple one step instructions. They’ll also look for missing items, even if they roll out of sight, and some may even seek help when faced with a challenge they can’t solve on their own.

Language development is especially exciting right now. You’ll hear more complex babbling with pitch, rhythm; it may even mimic real speech. Many babies will say their first word this month, and begin to point to objects so you’ll name them. They might try to imitate silly sounds, copy the noises you make, or respond to words for common items like “cup,” “ball,” or “dog.” These are all early signs that expressive and receptive language are coming together.

Emotionally, your baby is becoming more self-aware and socially engaged. They may choose a favorite toy to take with them, or calm themselves by holding their favorite special object. You might see them wipe their face when offered a napkin, or hand you a toy to keep a game going which is proof that they’re learning the rules of social play. Many will now come to you when called, or even go to a parent or sibling when directed, an amazing sign of growing trust and attachment.

On the sensory side, your baby is still exploring the world through sound, movement, and touch. They’ll watch people move around the room, often crawling or walking to follow them. You may notice them reacting to extreme cold or hot temperatures or even wind, as they begin to process and respond to environmental sensations. They’re also moving toward sounds in the distance, especially familiar voices.

Work Cited:

1. “The Development and Shaping of the Brain.” Discovering the Brain,

2. “Understanding why your child’s brain is so amazing!” Parenting. Give it Time, Llywodraeth Cymru Welsh Government,

3. Gopnik, A., Meltzoff, A., & Kuhl, P. The Scientist in the Crib

4. CDC, Developmental Milestones

   
   

How many of this month's milestones has your baby mastered?

Tracking your baby’s 12-month milestones gives you a full picture of their progress and is the perfect way to celebrate how far they’ve come in just one year. From first steps to first words, every new milestone is a powerful sign that their brain and body are growing in sync. With a Basic Membership for just $2 per month, you can track all 812 milestones your child is expected to reach by age 4. Stay on top of your baby’s progress and celebrate every exciting new skill along the way!

Create a free account with Fledglings' Flight and get access to 4820 screen-free, play-based exercises. That is 100-200 exercises each month that you can start doing with your baby from the day that they are born to help them to develop into the best version of themselves. In addition, your free account gives you access to 1200+ articles on child development to keep you informed while you help to navigate your child's developmental journey.