Baby Milestone Checker
Enter your child's birth date to see the developmental milestones most children reach by their age, from 2 months to 5 years, grouped into social, language, learning and movement skills. Tick what your child does now, see what's coming next, and copy a summary for your next check-up.
Last updated:
0 if born at 37+ weeks. Used for corrected age up to 2 years.
Milestones
Tick each thing your child does now. Unticked items are "not yet".
Coming up next
Milestones follow the CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." checklists (2022 update), which list skills that most children (75% or more) show by each age. Every child develops at their own pace; this checklist is not a screening test or diagnosis. If your child is missing milestones, has lost skills they once had, or you have any concern, talk to your pediatrician and don't wait. Your ticks are saved only in this browser.
How to use the Baby Milestone Checker
- Enter the birth date and, if your baby was premature, how many weeks early.
- Press Check milestones to load the checklist for your child's age, or pick any age chip to browse.
- Tick each skill your child does now; unticked items count as not yet.
- Read the next checkpoint to know what to look for and practise.
- Copy or print the summary and bring it to your next well-child visit.
Key milestones at a glance
| Age | Social & language | Movement |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months | Smiles back, makes sounds other than crying | Lifts head during tummy time |
| 4 months | Coos, chuckles, turns to your voice | Holds head steady, brings hands to mouth |
| 6 months | Laughs, blows raspberries, squeals | Rolls tummy to back, leans on hands to sit |
| 9 months | "Mamama"/"bababa" sounds, responds to name | Sits without support |
| 12 months | Waves bye-bye, says "mama" or "dada" | Pulls to stand, cruises along furniture |
| 15 months | One or two words besides mama/dada, points to ask | Takes a few steps alone |
| 18 months | Three or more words, follows one-step directions | Walks alone, scribbles |
| 2 years | Two-word phrases, points to body parts | Kicks a ball, runs |
| 30 months | About 50 words, "I", "me", "we" | Jumps with both feet |
| 3 years | Short conversations, asks "why" questions | Uses a fork, strings large beads |
| 4 years | Sentences of four or more words | Catches a large ball, holds a crayon with fingers |
| 5 years | Tells a story, counts to 10 | Hops on one foot |
How the checker works
Your child's age is counted in whole months from the birth date. If you enter weeks born early and your child is under 2 years, that many weeks are added to the birth date to get corrected age. The checklist shown is the latest checkpoint your child has reached: a 10-month-old sees the 9-month list, with the 12-month list as "coming up next".
The CDC revised these checklists in 2022 so that every item is something at least 75% of children do by that age (older lists used the 50% mark). That makes the lists more useful for spotting when to ask for help.
Ways to support development
- Talk and narrate what you're doing, and respond when your baby makes sounds, like a conversation.
- Read together every day, pointing to pictures and naming things.
- Give daily tummy time from the first weeks to build neck, arm and core strength.
- Play simple games such as peek-a-boo, stacking cups and pat-a-cake.
- Limit screens for children under 2 except video chatting, and play together instead.
Frequently asked questions
What are developmental milestones?
Milestones are skills such as smiling, babbling, sitting, pointing or walking that most children can do by a certain age. They cover four areas: social and emotional, language and communication, cognitive (learning and problem-solving), and movement and physical development.
Where do these milestones come from?
They follow the CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." checklists, revised in 2022 with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Each item is something at least 75% of children do by that age, so a missed item is a reason to talk to your doctor rather than wait and see.
What should I do if my child hasn't reached a milestone?
Mention it to your pediatrician, who can do a developmental screening. Children vary, but early support works best, so don't wait. Also tell your doctor straight away if your child loses skills they once had.
Should I use corrected age for a premature baby?
Yes. For babies born before 37 weeks, doctors usually compare milestones to corrected age (age from the original due date) until about 2 years. Enter the number of weeks born early and the checker uses corrected age automatically.
Why is there no 1-month or 3-month checklist?
The CDC checklists line up with well-child visit ages: 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 months, then 3, 4 and 5 years. Between checkpoints, look at the most recent list and the next one.
Is this a developmental screening test?
No. It's a checklist to help you notice and talk about your child's development. Formal screening uses validated tools that your pediatrician gives, usually at 9, 18 and 30 months, plus autism screening at 18 and 24 months.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.