(Spoiler: Every Baby’s Timeline Is Unique!)
One of the biggest concerns I hear as a Pediatric Physical Therapist is: “Should my baby be doing this by now?” Whether we’re talking about rolling, crawling, or just holding their head up—every parent wants to know their baby is on the right track. Although there is a general guideline as to when a baby should be reaching certain milestones, we need to remember that every baby is different.
The general age guidelines for the motor milestones during the first year are as follows:
- Holding up their head: 1–3 months
- Rolling over: 3–6 months
- Sitting: 5–8 months
- Crawling: 6–10 months
- Walking: 10-15 months
Again, this is a general guideline, and not every baby will hit these milestones in these ranges. What also is very important with these early milestones is how your baby is moving and whether they’re making steady progress over time. Maybe your baby rolls late but becomes a champion crawler, or maybe they crawl only for a few weeks before they start cruising. Just keep encouraging, and reach out to your pediatrician or pediatric physical therapist if you are concerned.
Some things to consider to help lessen your anxiety with the motor milestone numbers:
- Is your baby exploring movement more each week?
- Are they starting to interact more with their environment?
- Do they seem curious and motivated to move?
If something doesn’t feel right, or if your baby isn’t showing interest in movement over time, that’s a great reason to check in with your pediatrician or a pediatric PT. We can help guide and support your baby’s journey.
Please message me if you have any specific questions about your little one’s growth and development. I have 25 years of experience as a pediatric physical therapist of helping babies grow and develop! I’m here to help 🙂
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