Baby's Twelfth Month: A Guide to Development and Milestones

Baby development milestones at one year old

All about your 12-month-old baby!

Physical development: Baby will likely be walking, pointing and drinking from a cup, says Dr. Mollie Greves Grow of Seattle Children's Hospital. Baby will begin to scribble (start to give him crayons and paper!) according to the Washington DOH.

Brain development: Babies this age are able to respond to simple verbal commands or requests and understand
words for familiar people and objects, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your baby might have a handful or more of words. He also will love to bang blocks, stack toys and perhaps try nesting items together.

Social Development: He will express his desires more and may have bursts of frustration as he tries to assert his independence, Grow says. Encourage repetition at this age, advises the Mayo Clinic. Repetition can build self-confidence and strengthen connection in baby’s brain. Play baby’s favorite game or read his favorite book as many times as he wants because every time is new to him!

Some other skills your baby will likely reach by 1, from healthychildren.org:

Puts objects into container

Takes objects out of container

Lets objects go voluntarily

Pokes with index finger

Pays increasing attention to speech

Responds to simple verbal requests

Responds to “no”

Uses simple gestures, such as shaking head for “no”

Babbles with inflection

Says “dada” and “mama”

Fun fact or milestone: He’ll be turning 1! Enjoy planning a celebration but remember that baby still tires easily and needs only a few small, new toys or books and a healthy treat to ring in his big milestone.

What to watch for/common concerns: Parent-child power struggles will begin. Remember, this too will pass, says Grow. Have patience and allow him to develop new independence while maintaining his safety and structure.

One important thing you can do for your baby: Remember, he is still your baby and he needs love, cuddling and attention even though he is becoming a toddler who wants more independence. Keep the TV off as much as possible and out of his room, says Grow.