Baby growth
Newborn Growth & Milestones: What to Expect in the First Year
Month-by-month newborn growth and developmental milestones in the first year — weight and height patterns, motor and social skills, and when to check in with a doctor.
The first year is a whirlwind of firsts — first smile, first roll, first steps. While every baby develops at their own pace, there are broad patterns that help you know whether things are on track. Here’s what to expect, month by month.
Milestone ranges are wide and normal. If something worries you, a quick chat with a paediatrician is always worthwhile.
How fast do babies grow?
In the first year babies grow remarkably fast:
- Weight: most babies double their birth weight by ~5 months and triple it by 12 months.
- Length: babies typically grow about 25 cm in the first year.
- Head circumference: grows quickly too, reflecting brain development.
Plotting these on a growth curve matters more than any single number — doctors look at the trend, not one measurement.
Milestones by stage
0–3 months
- Lifts head briefly during tummy time
- Begins to smile socially (around 6–8 weeks)
- Follows objects with eyes
4–6 months
- Rolls over
- Reaches for and grasps objects
- Babbles and laughs
7–9 months
- Sits without support
- Starts crawling or shuffling
- Responds to their own name
10–12 months
- Pulls to stand and may “cruise” along furniture
- Picks up small objects with a pincer grip
- Says first words like “mama” or “dada”
When to check in with a doctor
Reach out if your baby:
- Isn’t making eye contact or smiling by ~3 months
- Can’t hold their head steady by ~4 months
- Isn’t sitting with support by ~9 months
- Isn’t babbling or responding to sounds
Early conversations are reassuring far more often than not.
Make tracking effortless
With Baby Nidan you can log weight, height and head circumference and instantly see clear growth curves you can share with your doctor — alongside milestone checklists and reminders so the busy first year feels a little calmer. And if a question comes up at 2 a.m., an on-duty specialist is a tap away.