Baby Development: Twelve Month Milestones

Key Insights: What to Look for During Baby’s Twelfth Month

By now, your baby’s personality is shining through, and they’re likely more interactive than ever. Here’s what you might notice this month:

• Increased interest in exploring and playing independently
• Communicating more, whether through simple words or gestures
• Following basic instructions like “wave bye-bye” or “give me the toy”
• Showing more emotions like joy, frustration, or shyness

Movement Milestones

At 12 months, your baby’s mobility and coordination have come a long way! They’re eager to move around and test out their growing strength. Here’s what to expect:

• Taking their first steps or getting steady on their feet
• Climbing onto furniture or stairs with supervision
• Picking up small objects with better control
• Throwing or rolling a ball with a bit more accuracy

Visual and Hearing Milestones

Your baby’s senses are sharper than ever, helping them interact with their environment more confidently. Some key milestones to look for include:

• Spotting objects across the room and recognizing familiar faces
• Responding to their name or simple commands from a distance
• Imitating animal sounds or repeating short words they hear often

Smelling and Touch Milestones

Your baby’s curiosity about new sensations is still growing. They’ll want to explore through touch and smell as they learn more about the world:

• Showing preferences for certain textures or objects
• Exploring toys with more intention by shaking, squeezing, or patting them
• Reacting to familiar or unusual smells with excitement or hesitation

Developmental Milestones

Emotionally and socially, your baby is building stronger connections with those around them. There are countless developmental activities you can enjoy with your little one, and at this stage, you might notice:

• Clinging to caregivers when meeting new people
• Expressing needs and desires more clearly, like pointing to a snack or toy
• Imitating actions they see, like pretending to talk on the phone

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician About Baby’s Development at 12 Months

It’s natural for babies to hit milestones at their own pace, but if you notice any of these signs, consider checking in with your pediatrician:

• Difficulty standing or showing little interest in walking
• Lack of response to sounds or familiar voices
• Little to no interaction with people or toys

Your Baby Is One! Get Ready for the Big Milestones with Tips and Rewards

Turning one is a huge deal—your baby is officially a toddler! Enfamil Family Beginnings^® is here to cheer you on with expert guidance, special offers, and rewards as your little one starts walking, talking, and exploring like never before. Don’t miss out on making these milestone moments even more special—join today and celebrate this exciting chapter!