1 month milestones
at 1 month, most babies are adjusting to life outside the womb. they spend a lot of time sleeping and feeding, and are starting to become more aware of the world around them.
milestones at 1 month
physical
3 milestones- •lifts head briefly during tummy time
- •moves arms and legs in jerky movements
- •brings hands near face
cognitive
3 milestones- •focuses on faces 20–30 cm away
- •recognises parent's voice and smell
- •startles at loud sounds (Moro reflex)
social & emotional
2 milestones- •calms when held or spoken to softly
- •briefly makes eye contact
language
2 milestones- •cries to communicate needs
- •makes small throaty sounds
when to talk to your GP
every child develops at their own pace, but speak to your GP or child health nurse if your child at 1 month:
- •does not respond to loud sounds at all
- •does not focus on or follow a face with their eyes
- •limbs seem unusually stiff or unusually floppy
- •does not suck or feed well
what parents can do
- •give supervised tummy time for short periods each day — even 1–2 minutes counts
- •hold your baby close and talk or sing to them during feeds
- •use high-contrast black and white images or toys to encourage visual tracking
- •respond quickly to crying — you cannot spoil a newborn
next health check
in Australia, child health checks are free and available through your GP or child health nurse. these are a great opportunity to discuss any developmental concerns.
view all baby milestones
the complete month-by-month guide from birth to 5
this guide is for general developmental information only and is not medical advice. milestones are based on guidelines from the Raising Children Network, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, and PEDS. every child develops differently — if you have any concerns about your child's development, please see your GP or child health nurse. mini mode is not affiliated with any government department or health service.