What Should My Baby Be Doing Each Month? A Simple Month-by-Month Guide to Their Physical Development

Subtitle:
From floppy to full-speed crawler—here’s how to spot (and support) your baby’s amazing physical progress in their first year.

Let’s be honest—when you’ve just brought a tiny human into the world, your brain is juggling sleep deprivation, nappies, Google searches about weird nappies, and the occasional attempt at feeding yourself. The last thing you need is a science textbook on “gross motor skills” and “tummy time trajectories.”

What you do want is to know:

  • What should my baby be doing each month?

  • Is my baby on track?

  • And how can I help, without needing a PhD in baby development?

That’s where this handy month-by-month guide comes in. No jargon, just real-life tips from the team at Adventure Babies (who spend their days watching babies learn through play, wriggling and rolling their way toward the next milestone).

Month 1–2: “All they do is lie there… is that okay?”

Yes. Totally okay. In these early months, your baby is still adjusting to life outside the womb. They’re working on head control, and even lifting their head for a second during tummy time is major progress.

How you can help:

  • Give them short bursts of tummy time daily

  • Let them wriggle on a play mat

  • Chat face-to-face—it helps more than you know

Month 3–4: What Should My Baby Be Doing Each Month?

This is when babies often become more alert and interactive. They might hold their head up better, push up on their arms, and even start batting at toys with surprising accuracy.

How you can help:

  • Use baby-safe mirrors for visual stimulation

  • Encourage reaching with dangly toys

  • Sing songs with movements (like we do at Adventure Babies!)

Month 5–6: “Why is everything going in their mouth?!”

Because that’s how they explore. Your baby might be rolling, pushing up, and starting to sit with a little support.

How you can help:

  • Offer sensory toys with different textures

  • Give plenty of floor time

  • Celebrate every roll, grab, and belly wriggle

Month 7–8: “They’re never still!”

Now it’s all about movement. Many babies sit confidently and begin crawling (or at least launching in that direction).

How you can help:

  • Make a safe space to move

  • Encourage cruising with soft furniture

  • Join a baby class that builds coordination and confidence

Month 9–10: “They’re on the move… send help!”

Your baby may be crawling, pulling up, or moving however they please. If you’re still wondering what should my baby be doing each month, remember that this stage varies wildly—some are walking, others are perfecting their crawl.

How you can help:

  • Offer push-along toys or things to pull up on

  • Play games that involve chasing, hiding, and peekaboo

  • Let them explore safely (but yes, babyproof everything)

Month 11–12: “Should they be walking by now?”

Maybe! But don’t worry if not. Many babies walk after their first birthday. They’re still developing balance, coordination, and strength—and they’re doing great.

How you can help:

  • Dance together—rhythm helps balance

  • Keep shoes off indoors to help foot development

  • Be their biggest cheerleader

A final word for the (exhausted) parents:

Every baby develops at their own pace. This guide isn’t a checklist—it’s a gentle overview of what might be happening and how you can support it through play, bonding, and everyday moments.

At Adventure Babies, we see daily how stories, songs, and sensory play help babies build strength, coordination, and confidence. But the biggest ingredient? You. Just by showing up, cuddling, chatting, and loving them—you’re already supporting their physical development.

So breathe. You’ve got this. And if you’d like a place to play, learn, and connect with other new parents, we’re here for you.

Want to see how storytime and wriggly play go hand in hand?
Find your nearest Adventure Babies class ➝