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When do babies...?

Typical ages for every big baby milestone, from the CDC and WHO.

When do babies roll over? By 6 months, most babies (75% or more) roll from tummy to back, according to the CDC milestone checklist. When do babies sit up? The CDC lists sitting without support by 9 months. In the WHO study, healthy babies first sat alone anywhere from 3.8 to 9.2 months. When do babies crawl? In the WHO motor study, healthy babies started crawling on hands and knees between 5.2 and 13.5 months, and 4.3% never crawled at all. The CDC checklists do not include crawling. When do babies start walking? The CDC lists "takes a few steps on his own" by 15 months and walking without holding on by 18 months. In the WHO study, healthy babies first walked alone between 8.2 and 17.6 months. When do babies start talking? The CDC milestones: "mama" or "dada" by 12 months, one or two other words by 15 months, three or more words by 18 months, two words together by 2 years and about 50 words by 30 months. When do babies smile? By 2 months, most babies smile when you talk to or smile at them, and by 4 months they smile on their own to get your attention (CDC). When do babies laugh? The CDC lists chuckling (not yet a full laugh) by 4 months and laughing by 6 months. When do babies hold their head up? By 2 months most babies hold their head up when on their tummy, and by 4 months they hold it steady without support when you hold them (CDC). When do babies start babbling? The CDC lists cooing ("oooo", "aahh") by 4 months and babbling sounds like "mamamama" and "babababa" by 9 months. When do babies clap? The CDC lists "claps when excited" by 15 months, and playing games like pat-a-cake by 12 months. When do babies wave? By 12 months, most babies wave "bye-bye" (CDC). When do babies stand? The CDC lists pulling up to stand by 12 months. In the WHO study, healthy babies stood alone between 6.9 and 16.9 months. When do babies point? By 15 months, most children point to ask for something or to get help, and by 18 months they point to show you something interesting (CDC). When do babies start eating baby food? The CDC says children can begin eating solid foods at about 6 months, and that starting before 4 months is not recommended. When do babies start teething? Baby teeth start to come in at about 6 months, according to the American Dental Association, and Seattle Children's Hospital says they come in between 6 and 24 months. There are 20 primary (baby) teeth.

The movement milestones, side by side

The WHO Motor Development Study recorded when healthy children in five countries first reached six movement milestones. The bars show the ages by which 1% and 99% of them did.

Sitting without support3.8 to 9.2 mo
Standing with assistance4.8 to 11.4 mo
Hands-and-knees crawling5.2 to 13.5 mo
Walking with assistance5.9 to 13.7 mo
Standing alone6.9 to 16.9 mo
Walking alone8.2 to 17.6 mo
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Where this comes from

Milestones are quoted from the CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." checklists, which list what most children (75% or more) can do by each age. Growth charts use the WHO growth standards that the CDC recommends for children from birth to 2 years. We do not add our own claims, and nothing here replaces your child's doctor.

When to act early

The CDC says you know your child best. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early: talk with your child's doctor and ask about a developmental screening.

Checkup by checkup

Your child, checkup by checkup

One short email at each CDC milestone age, from 2 months to 5 years: what most children do by then, a checklist to bring to the checkup and when to talk to your doctor.

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