The second half of your baby’s first year is a time of big changes. Movement, communication, and personality start developing quickly, and you’ll notice your baby becoming more active, curious, and expressive.
From crawling to first words, 7–12 months is one of the fastest periods of growth in a child's life.
7–8 Months
Your baby can now sit without support and may start crawling. Some babies skip crawling completely and move straight to walking, and that’s perfectly fine. You may also notice stranger anxiety around this age. Your baby might become shy, cling to you, or feel uncomfortable around people they don’t know.
9–10 Months
Around this age, object permanence starts to develop. Your baby begins to understand that something still exists even when they can’t see it. This is why games like peek-a-boo can become so much fun for them. You may also see them pulling themselves up to stand and moving along furniture while holding on.
11–12 Months
By their first birthday, many babies can say "mama" or "dada" with meaning, wave bye-bye, and point at things they want. Some babies take their first steps around 12 months, while others may take a little longer. Starting to walk anytime up to 18 months can still be normal.
Watch for these red flags: not babbling by 9 months, not pointing or waving by 12 months, or losing skills they once had.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t panic. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and share what you’ve noticed. Early support makes a big difference.