Milestones are skills most children reach by a certain age, such as smiling, sitting, walking and talking. The CDC updated its milestone checklists in 2022 to show what most children (3 out of 4) can do by each age.
Key milestones by age
- 2 months: smiles when you talk to them, holds head up on tummy, makes sounds other than crying.
- 4 months: chuckles, holds head steady when held, brings hands to mouth.
- 6 months: laughs, rolls from tummy to back, reaches for toys.
- 9 months: sits without support, babbles mamamama, looks when you call their name.
- 12 months: waves bye-bye, pulls up to stand, says mama or dada.
- 15 months: takes a few steps alone, tries to say one or two words.
- 18 months: walks without holding on, says three or more words.
- 2 years: says two words together, kicks a ball, runs.
Every child is different
Children develop at their own pace, and many reach some milestones early and others later. Premature babies are usually judged by their corrected age until about 2 years.
When to talk to your doctor
- Your child has not reached one or more milestones for their age
- Your child loses skills they once had
- You have any concern about how your child plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves
Acting early makes a difference. The AAP recommends developmental screening at 9, 18 and 30 months, and autism screening at 18 and 24 months.
Follow your baby’s development month by month in our baby month by month guide.