Every child develops differently
Babies develop their abilities in their own way and at their own pace.
It's simply amazing how quickly babies develop in their first year of life! Every month brings something new. But as different as children are, they also develop. Every baby reaches their milestones at their own pace.
Key points in your baby's development
Bubbling, babbling and first chatter are the best examples of certain key points in the development of your little darling. So-called bubbling is one of the first forms of communication. Your little one is experimenting with his tongue and mouth, creating little bubbles here and there — and will love it. But there are also many children who skip this phase and immediately start experimenting with sounds and making their first sounds. This is the start of proper communication, including listening and responding.
Babies start chatting at around four months of age. The first sounds often include “p”, “b” or “m” sounds. At the age of six to seven months, the sounds become more and more specific and more like speaking. You may hear “mom” or “dad” for the first time. Between 18 months and 2 years, your child starts with sentences of up to four words.
Between 0 to 3 months
In this early phase, your child must first learn to live in the “outside world.” These first months are therefore exclusively about eating, sleeping and crying. In return, you can soon be happy that your child can raise their head by themselves, make the first sounds and smile at you for the very first time.
- Briefly raise your head while lying on your stomach.
- The first sounds: Your baby may have developed a personal repertoire of noises, cooing, and gurgles.
- Smile: Your baby will answer your laugh with a smile and in return will try to make you smile with his contagious laugh.
- Track objects with your eyes.
- Open and close your hands, move your hands to your mouth and grab objects.
Between 4 to 6 months
The baby develops its personality, reaches out to the world, interacts with it and manipulates it. Babies discover their hands and voice. At some point between three months and her first birthday, her first tooth breaks through.
- Turning from back to stomach or vice versa; this is usually a surprise for both you and your baby!
- Babble and laugh, make the first noises.
- Reach out to objects and grab them.
- Sit up with support and hold your head independently.
Between 7 to 9 months
In the second half of the first year, your child is constantly moving. Your little one becomes mobile, tries out new foods, plays new games and searches for connections. At the age of around eight to twelve months, the little ones start eating with their hands — an important milestone in a child's development. They know very well how to use their thumbs and index fingers as forks and explore food using all their senses — they touch, taste, observe and smell.
- The start of squabbling: Some babies never crawl and move straight on to sitting, standing and walking.
- Sit without support and learn how to stand up.
- “Mom” and “Dad” and answer their names.
- Wave, clap, point and baby games such as “cuckoo” (first game of hide and seek for toddlers).
Between 10 to 12 months
Attention dear parents — baby on the way! Crawl, hold on everywhere and pull yourself up and take the first steps soon: Nothing is safe from your little darling's curiosity anymore. Have the camera ready! Your baby babbles more and gradually refines his eating skills. How time flies! Soon you'll be able to start thinking about your first birthday party.
- Move along the furniture throughout the room.
- Your child will pay more attention to your words. Words like “mom” and “dad” really mean you. Your child can now say one or two words and understand simple everyday words.
- Point at objects that they would like to have.
- Your child can copy observed behavior, such as brushing their hair or babbling into the phone. Children at this age are great imitators and are therefore happy to assist you with household chores.
- Your baby is taking the first steps. This usually happens around the first birthday, but the exact time can vary a lot.
