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Developmental milestones in babies and children

Key facts

  • Developmental milestones are skills most children develop by a certain age range.
  • Skills include sitting, walking, talking, playing and interacting with other people.
  • All babies grow and develop at their own pace, but missing a milestone beyond the usual age may be a sign that your child needs extra support.
  • Watching how your child grows and getting regular checks with a doctor or child health nurse can help pick up delays early.
  • If you have any concerns about your child's development, talk to your doctor or child health nurse.

What are developmental milestones?

Developmental milestones are skills most children develop within a certain age range, such as:

These milestones show how your child is growing and learning.

Most children learn these skills in the same order, but not always at the same time. Some children may walk or talk earlier or later than others — that's normal.

What do developmental milestones measure?

Developmental milestones show how your child learns and builds new skills over time. These skills are grouped into areas of development.

Child health nurses (Opens in new tab) and doctors (Opens in new tab) will check if your baby or child is meeting milestones in the following areas:

When should my child meet developmental milestones?

Babies grow and develop very quickly in their first 12 months (Opens in new tab).

While all children reach milestones at different times, there are general age ranges for when most children develop certain skills. If your child hasn't met a milestone by the time most children do, it could be a sign of a developmental delay.

Early intervention (Opens in new tab) can make a big difference. It can:

  • support your child's development
  • improve their learning and communication
  • help them build important life skills

This is why regular checks with your doctor or child health nurse are important. Even if your child has regular health checks, it's important to watch how they grow and reach their milestones.

Preparing for an appointment? See our tips on questions to ask your doctor.

When should I see my doctor?

If you're worried about your child's progress or development, speak with your doctor or child health nurse.

Here are some signs to watch for at different ages.

Signs to watch for by 6 months old

Speak with your doctor or child health nurse if your baby:

  • doesn't make babbling sounds, such as 'aah' or 'ooh'
  • doesn't reach for or hold toys
  • doesn't roll or lift their head and shoulders when lying on their tummy
  • doesn't smile or show interest in people
  • doesn't respond to sounds or follow things with their eyes

Signs to watch for by 9 months old

Speak with your doctor or child health nurse if your baby:

  • doesn't make babbling sounds such as 'bubu' or 'dada'
  • doesn't pass toys from one hand to the other
  • isn't moving around, such as crawling or bottom shuffling
  • doesn't take weight on their legs when held in a standing position
  • doesn't respond to familiar words like their name or 'bottle'

Signs to watch for by 12 months old

Speak with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

  • doesn't say any clear words
  • doesn't copy sounds or gestures
  • can't sit without support
  • doesn't try to pull themselves up to stand
  • doesn't feed themselves finger foods or hold a bottle or cup

Signs to watch for by 18 months old

Speak with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

  • doesn't use simple words to communicate
  • doesn't follow short instructions such as 'come here'
  • doesn't try to feed themselves with a spoon or help with dressing
  • doesn't try to stack blocks or scribble with a crayon
  • doesn't walk or try to walk on their own

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Resources and support

For more information about developmental milestones in babies and children:

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call (Opens in new tab). Available from 7 am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby also offers more information about your child's development:

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

Last reviewed: August 2025

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