During the first few years of life, children undergo dramatic changes.  It's natural to wonder how your child is growing and developing compared to other children the same age.  However, it's important to remember that each child is different and will grow and develop at different rates. 

If you do find that your child does not perform many of the skills appropriate to his or her age group, you should consult your child's physician.  Early help can make a difference.

Also, dont' forget to check out milestones after the first year.

1 Month

• Responds to sounds with blinking, crying, a change in breathing pattern or by showing a startled response
• Lifts head momentarily when lying down
• Sleeps for three to four hours at a time and stays awake for one or more hours at a stretch
• Crying stops with the child is spoken to or held

2-3 Months

• Coos and responds to talking with vocal noises
• Becomes interested in visual and audible stimuli
• Responds to parents' voices and faces
• When lying down, the child lifts her head, neck and upper chest with the support of the forearms.

4-5 Months

• When in a prone position, the child holds head erect and raises his body with his hands
• Reaches for and bats at objects
• Head control is greatly improved
• Mobiles are of great interest
• A social smile is spontaneous
• Able to fall asleep without a bottle or breast-feeding (self-comforting)

6-8 months

• Develops consonant-based sounds (baba, dada, mama)
• Rolls over on own
• When sitting, holds head up on own
• Stands in place with help
• Grasps and mouths objects and starts to self-feed
• Transfers small objects from one hand to another
• May begin to show anxiety with strangers
• First tooth erupts

9-11 months

• Responds to own name
• Understands words, such as no-no and bye-bye
• Imitates adult vocal sounds
• Plays interactive games, such as peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
• crawls, creeps and moves forward by scooting his bottom
• Shakes, bangs, drops and throws objects
• Self-feeds with fingers
• Begins to use a cup
• Occasionally experiences anxiety with strangers

1 year

• Bangs blocks together
• Plays social games
• Has a one-to three-word vocabulary
• Imitates vocalizations
• Pulls to a stand and may take a few steps alone
• Drinks from a cup
• Looks for dropped or hidden objects
• Waves good-bye