Baby Milestones:
0 to 24 Months
Track your baby's growth across motor, language, social, and cognitive domains - Based on WHO and Singapore child development guidelines. Every baby develops at their own pace; this is a guide, not a race. Use our developmental milestone tracker to log your baby's progress and get personalised reminders.
Get Milestone Reminders for My Baby's AgeFour Domains of Development
Gross Motor
Large muscle movements - Rolling, sitting, walking, running
Fine Motor
Small muscle coordination - Grasping, pincer grip, drawing
Language
Receptive (understanding) and expressive (speaking) communication
Social / Cognitive
Emotional bonding, problem-solving, play, and memory
Newborn (0–1 month)
The sensory awakening phase
🦵 Gross Motor
- Reflex movements: rooting, sucking, Moro startle, grasp
- Turns head side-to-side when on back
- Raises head briefly during tummy time
✋ Fine Motor
- Strong palmar grasp reflex - Fingers close around yours
- Hands usually fisted
- Random arm and leg movements
💬 Language
- Communicates via crying (hunger, discomfort, tiredness)
- Startles and stills to familiar voices
- Makes tiny throaty noises when comfortable
🧠 Social / Cognitive
- Prefers human faces over objects
- Recognises primary caregiver's voice from the womb
- Brief periods of quiet alertness - Best time to interact
1 to 3 Months
Smiles, coos, and head control begin
🦵 Gross Motor
- Lifts head to 45° during tummy time by 2 months
- Head still needs support when held upright
- Kicks legs vigorously and symmetrically
✋ Fine Motor
- Grasp reflex fading - Hands open more often
- Swipes at dangling toys
- Briefly holds a rattle placed in hand
💬 Language
- Social smile appears at 6–8 weeks
- Coos and makes soft vowel sounds (ooh, ahh)
- Different cries for hunger vs. discomfort
🧠 Social / Cognitive
- Recognises primary caregiver's face
- Tracks a moving object or face through 180°
- Responds to your smile with a smile - Mirror neurons at work. See the <a href='/baby/month-by-month/' class='text-primary underline hover:no-underline font-medium'>month-by-month guide</a> for detailed summaries.
4 to 6 Months
Rolling, reaching, and the first solids
🦵 Gross Motor
- Rolls from tummy to back (4m), then back to tummy (5–6m)
- Holds head steady and upright when held
- Sits with support; begins brief tripod sitting at 6m
✋ Fine Motor
- Reaches deliberately for objects with both hands
- Transfers objects from hand to hand (5–6m)
- Rakes small objects toward self; mouthing begins
💬 Language
- Babbles consonant-vowel chains: 'baba', 'mama', 'dada' (non-specific)
- Laughs and squeals with delight
- Responds to own name by 6 months
🧠 Social / Cognitive
- Recognises familiar faces vs. strangers
- Shows excitement with arm and leg movements
- Shows interest in solid food at mealtime - Signs of weaning readiness at 6 months
7 to 9 Months
Crawling, stranger anxiety, object permanence
🦵 Gross Motor
- Sits independently for extended periods
- Begins crawling - Any style counts (commando, bear-crawl, classic)
- Pulls to standing with furniture support
✋ Fine Motor
- Pincer grasp developing: picks up small objects with thumb + forefinger
- Bangs two objects together
- Puts objects into containers
💬 Language
- Points at objects of interest
- Waves bye-bye on cue
- Imitates sounds and simple gestures
🧠 Social / Cognitive
- Object permanence: searches for a hidden toy
- Stranger anxiety peaks (completely normal)
- Recognises and responds to own name consistently
10 to 12 Months
First steps, first words
🦵 Gross Motor
- Cruises along furniture
- Stands momentarily without support
- First independent steps may appear at 9–12 months
✋ Fine Motor
- Proficient pincer grasp; picks up very small items
- Claps hands together
- Feeds self finger foods
💬 Language
- First meaningful word (beyond mama/dada) typical by 12m
- Points with index finger to request or share
- Follows simple one-step instructions ('give me')
🧠 Social / Cognitive
- Shows affection - Hugs, leans into you
- Imitates adult actions (sweeping, talking on phone)
- Shows preferences for certain toys or people
12 to 18 Months
Walking, 10+ words, pretend play begins
🦵 Gross Motor
- Walks steadily without support by 15m
- Climbs onto low furniture
- Squats to pick up objects and stands back up
✋ Fine Motor
- Stacks 2–3 blocks
- Scribbles with crayon
- Turns pages of a board book
💬 Language
- 10+ words by 15 months; vocabulary building fast
- Uses words to request, greet, or protest
- Follows 2-step instructions ('get the ball and bring it here')
🧠 Social / Cognitive
- Pretend play: feeds a doll, stirs an empty pot
- Shows empathy - Comforts a crying person
- Separates from caregiver with some protest - Then plays independently
18 to 24 Months
Language explosion, independence, tantrums
🦵 Gross Motor
- Runs (stiffly at first, smoother by 24m)
- Kicks a ball without losing balance
- Jumps with both feet by 24m
✋ Fine Motor
- Stacks 5–6 blocks
- Uses spoon and fork with increasing accuracy
- Turns single pages of a picture book
💬 Language
- 20+ words by 18m; 50+ words by 24m
- 2-word phrases by 24m ('more milk', 'daddy go')
- Points to pictures in a book when named
🧠 Social / Cognitive
- Sorts shapes and colours
- Parallel play - Plays near (not yet with) other children
- Strong opinions and tantrums - Normal autonomy development
Milestone Timeline at a Glance
| Age | Gross Motor | Language | Social |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2m | Head 45° tummy time | Social smile, coos | Tracks face 180° |
| 4m | Rolls front→back | Babbles, laughs | Reaches for objects |
| 6m | Sits with support | Responds to name | Shows solids interest |
| 9m | Crawls, pulls to stand | Waves, points | Object permanence |
| 12m | First steps | 1+ meaningful word | Shows affection |
| 15m | Walks well | 10+ words | Follows 2-step commands |
| 18m | Runs | 20+ words | Pretend play |
| 24m | Kicks ball, jumps | 2-word phrases, 50+ words | Parallel play, sorts |
Red Flags: When to See a Doctor
By 2 months
- ⚠Does not smile socially
- ⚠Does not track objects with eyes
- ⚠Does not respond to sounds
By 4 months
- ⚠Does not hold head steady
- ⚠Does not coo or make sounds
- ⚠Does not reach for objects
By 6 months
- ⚠Does not roll either way
- ⚠Does not laugh or squeal
- ⚠Does not respond to own name
By 9 months
- ⚠Does not sit with support
- ⚠Does not babble
- ⚠Does not show interest in faces
By 12 months
- ⚠Not standing with support
- ⚠No words (incl. mama/dada)
- ⚠Does not point or wave
By 18 months
- ⚠Not walking independently
- ⚠Fewer than 10 words
- ⚠Not using single words purposefully
By 24 months
- ⚠No 2-word phrases
- ⚠Fewer than 50 words
- ⚠Loss of previously acquired skills
Any age
- ⚠Regression - Loses skills already mastered
- ⚠Absence of eye contact
- ⚠Extreme rigidity or distress with routine change
Key Singapore Developmental Milestones at a Glance
Singapore polyclinics use the Child Health Booklet to track developmental progress at every well-child visit. The milestones below are based on WHO guidance and are consistent with what Singapore's polyclinic nurses and paediatricians look for at each review.
Motor
Lifts head during tummy time; kicks legs symmetrically
Language
Social smile; makes soft cooing sounds; different cries for hunger and discomfort
Social
Tracks a moving face through 180 degrees; startles to sounds
Singapore context: Social smile is the key milestone at this visit. Mention to your doctor if baby is not smiling at all by 8 weeks.
Motor
Holds head steady; rolls from tummy to back; reaches for dangling objects
Language
Laughs and squeals; babbles vowel sounds
Social
Recognises caregivers; shows excitement with whole body
Singapore context: Laughter is a big leap at this stage. Tummy time should be a daily habit by now - 20 minutes total across the day.
Motor
Sits with support; begins tripod sitting; transfers objects between hands
Language
Babbles consonant chains (ba-ba, da-da); responds to own name
Social
Recognises strangers vs familiar faces; shows interest in food
Singapore context: Solids readiness check: sits with support, loses tongue-thrust reflex, and shows interest in food. All three signs should be present before starting.
Motor
Sits independently; crawls or commando crawls; pulls to standing with support
Language
Points at objects; waves bye-bye on cue; imitates simple sounds
Social
Object permanence established; stranger anxiety peaks; uses pincer grasp
Singapore context: Crawling style does not matter. Commando crawling, bear crawling, and bottom-shuffling all count. What matters is purposeful movement and exploration.
Motor
Cruises along furniture; may take first independent steps; stands briefly alone
Language
First meaningful word beyond mama/dada; follows simple one-step instructions
Social
Points with index finger; shows affection; imitates adult actions
Singapore context: Walking range is 9-15 months. If your baby is cruising and standing, they are on track even if not walking at exactly 12 months.
Motor
Walks independently; climbs onto low furniture; squats and stands up
Language
10 or more words; follows 2-step instructions; uses words to request
Social
Pretend play begins; shows empathy; separates from caregiver with some protest
Singapore context: This is the M-CHAT screening visit at Singapore polyclinics. The autism screening questionnaire is routine and not a cause for alarm.
Motor
Runs (stiffly); kicks a ball; begins jumping with both feet
Language
50 or more words; 2-word phrases such as 'more milk' or 'daddy go'; names body parts
Social
Parallel play with other children; sorts shapes and colours; strong opinions and tantrums
Singapore context: Two-word phrases by 24 months is the key language benchmark. If your child has fewer than 50 words or no phrases, ask for a referral to a speech-language therapist at your polyclinic.
Where to Go If You Have Concerns in Singapore
Polyclinic Paediatrician
First point of contact for any developmental concern. They can assess, refer to a child development unit, or order hearing and vision tests.
When: Use this first - Subsidised rates apply, and you do not need a referral for polyclinic.
Book via HealthHub app or call your nearest polyclinic
KKH Child Development Unit
Specialist assessment for developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and speech and language concerns. Part of KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
When: Referred from polyclinic or GP. Waiting times can be several months - Refer early.
KKH: 6225 5554
NUH Child Development Unit
National University Hospital's paediatric developmental team. Offers multidisciplinary assessment including occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychology.
When: Via referral from GP or polyclinic.
NUH: 6779 5555
EIPIC (Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children)
Government-funded programme for children aged 0 to 6 with developmental needs. Includes therapy, structured learning, and family support. Run by voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) across Singapore.
When: Suitable if your child is confirmed to have a developmental delay or disability. Means-tested subsidies apply.
Apply via SG Enable or ask your polyclinic doctor for a referral
Development Support (DS) Programme
For children aged 18 months to 3 years with mild developmental concerns who do not yet qualify for EIPIC. Provides structured activities and parent coaching.
When: Referred by polyclinic nurses or preschool teachers. Available at selected PAP Community Foundation (PCF) and My First Skool centres.
Ask your polyclinic nurse at the 18-month check
Speech-Language Therapists (SLT) at Polyclinics
For speech and language concerns without a broader developmental diagnosis. Available at most polyclinics and restructured hospitals.
When: Request a referral from your polyclinic doctor if speech concerns are present.
Ask at your polyclinic