Preparing for Birth: What You Really Need to Know – From a Doula’s Perspective
The first year of your baby’s life is an incredible journey of transformation. By the time your little one reaches their first birthday, they have made tremendous strides in almost every area of development. At 12 months, they are often more mobile, communicative, and expressive. They are beginning to explore the world around them with increasing curiosity and confidence. Here’s a breakdown of the key milestones to expect as your baby turns one.
1. Physical Development
Walking: By their first birthday, many babies are either walking independently or can take a few steps with support. Some babies may still be crawling or cruising (walking while holding onto furniture) but are getting closer to walking on their own. If your baby isn’t walking by 12 months, it’s important to note that every baby develops at their own pace, and some may take a little longer to reach this milestone.
Standing Unassisted: Your baby may be able to stand without holding onto anything for brief periods of time. They may pull themselves to a standing position and enjoy balancing while they look around, signaling that they are gaining more strength in their legs and core muscles.
Fine Motor Skills: Your baby’s fine motor skills are becoming much more refined. They can use their thumb and forefinger to pick up small objects, a skill known as the pincer grasp. They might start pointing, waving, clapping, or even making simple gestures. Some babies are able to stack blocks, hand objects to you, or even start using a spoon to feed themselves with assistance.
Climbing and Exploring: Your baby is becoming more adventurous and may begin to climb on furniture or stairs (with supervision, of course). Their curiosity is growing, and they want to explore their environment in new ways.
2. Sensory Development
Vision and Hand-Eye Coordination: Your baby’s vision is continuing to improve, and they can now see objects across a room. Their hand-eye coordination is getting better, and they can easily grab objects and place them in their mouth or hand them to someone else. They may start to engage more actively with toys, books, or objects, manipulating them with increasing dexterity.
Hearing and Language Development: One of the most exciting developments at 12 months is your baby’s growing communication skills. They may say their first words like “mama,” “dada,” or even simple words like “hi” or “bye.” Many babies at this age can understand simple words and phrases, such as “no,” “bye-bye,” or “come here,” and they may respond to their name.
Understanding Cause and Effect: Your baby is becoming more aware of cause and effect. For example, they might realize that when they push a button on a toy, it makes a noise. They may also begin to understand object permanence more fully—meaning that they know that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight.
Taste and Food Preferences: Your baby’s eating habits continue to evolve, and they may be eating a wider variety of solid foods, including fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. Many babies are transitioning to eating finger foods and self-feeding, developing more independence at mealtime. They may start to show preferences for certain foods or textures.
3. Social and Emotional Development
Separation Anxiety: Around the one-year mark, many babies experience separation anxiety. They may get upset when you leave the room or when a familiar caregiver is not around. This is a normal developmental phase and reflects the attachment your baby has formed with you and their increasing awareness of being apart from you.
Imitation and Play: Your baby is beginning to imitate others more frequently. They may mimic gestures like waving, clapping, or shaking their head, and they may enjoy interactive play like peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, or pretending to talk on the phone. At this stage, your baby is learning by watching and copying the actions of the people around them.
Social Interactions: Your baby is more aware of social interactions and may enjoy being around other people. They may respond to others by smiling, laughing, or playing games, and some babies start to develop a preference for familiar faces. They may even show interest in other babies or children, although they may still prefer to play independently or alongside others rather than with them.
Emotional Expression: Your baby is becoming more expressive emotionally. They may show joy when playing, frustration when they can’t get what they want, or fear in new situations. They may cry or become upset when they are startled or in unfamiliar situations, but they may also calm down quickly when comforted by their caregiver.
4. Communication and Language
First Words: Many babies begin to say their first words around 12 months. While “mama” and “dada” are common first words, your baby may also say words like “hi” or “no” or attempt to repeat words they hear often. This is an exciting milestone in your baby’s language development.
Gestures and Nonverbal Communication: In addition to their first words, your baby may start using gestures like pointing, nodding, or shaking their head to communicate. These nonverbal cues are important ways for your baby to express their needs and feelings before they develop more complex language skills.
Following Simple Directions: At 12 months, your baby may begin to follow simple commands like “come here” or “give me the toy.” While they may not always respond consistently, they are starting to understand that words have meaning.
5. Feeding and Sleep
Feeding Patterns: By the time your baby reaches their first birthday, they are likely eating a variety of foods, including a combination of solids and breast milk or formula. Many babies are transitioning to eating three meals a day and may begin to drink from a sippy cup or regular cup.
Self-Feeding: Your baby may now be able to feed themselves with more independence. They may use their hands to pick up food and bring it to their mouth, or they may be able to use a spoon with help. Mealtime is becoming more interactive, and your baby may enjoy feeding themselves with different textures and flavors.
Sleep Patterns: Many 12-month-old babies sleep for about 11-12 hours at night and take one or two naps during the day. Your baby may be transitioning to a more consistent sleep schedule, with fewer night wakings. Some babies may still have a night-time feeding or two, but they are generally sleeping for longer stretches.
6. Milestones to Look Forward To:
As your baby approaches their second year, you can expect:
Walking: Many babies take their first independent steps after their first birthday, and walking becomes more stable as they continue to build strength and confidence.
Talking More: Your baby will begin to increase their vocabulary and may start saying more words, understanding simple phrases, and communicating with gestures and words.
Socializing: Your baby will become more social and may enjoy playing with other children or participating in group activities.
Climbing and Exploration: Expect your baby to become even more adventurous in their exploration, climbing on furniture and getting into everything they can reach.
Conclusion:
Your baby’s first year has been a whirlwind of growth and development, and their first birthday marks the beginning of even more exciting milestones. From walking to talking, this year has been filled with new experiences, challenges, and plenty of joy. Your baby is continuing to explore the world, develop new skills, and form deeper connections with you and the people around them. Enjoy celebrating this special milestone as your little one enters their second year of life—there are even more incredible moments to come!
