Milestones at 12 Months

Congratulations! Baby’s first birthday is here! Your baby is talking and may even be walking. The world seems so much bigger now to explore and try things independently. Here’s a look at what a baby typically does at 12 months:

Social / Emotional Milestones

Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake

Language / Communication Milestones

Waves “bye-bye”
Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
Looks for things he or she sees you hide, such as a toy under a blanket

Movement / Physical Milestones

Pulls up to stand
Walks, holding on to furniture
Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

Concerned About Your Child’s Development?

All babies are different and develop at their own pace. If your infant has not yet reached some of these milestones, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.

Still, you know your child best. And developmental delays or disorders are most successfully treated when caught early.

If you have concerns, don’t wait.

Talk with the healthcare provider if you think your child...

Is not meeting milestones for his or her age
Has lost skills he or she once had, or is not doing something you’d expect him or her to be doing

Or if you have concerns about...

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves
Other things your child does

SOURCE: These developmental milestones, established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, provide a general idea of what most children (75% or more) do at this age.

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