No two children grow up at exactly the same rate. For this reason, it is impossible to predict exactly how your baby will behave at each period in his or her life. However, general trends do exist, and the following information discusses these general trends. If you have any specific questions about your child's growth and development, ask your health care professional.

One month to three months
At this age, baby does the following:

• Smiles at people he or she recognizes
  
  
• Has different cries for different needs
  
  
• Coos repeatedly
  
  
• Takes swipes at dangling objects with hands
  
  
• Responds to light and movement
  
  
• Watches faces intently and follows moving objects
  
  
• Recognizes familiar objects and people at a distance
  
  
• Turns head and smiles at the sound of your voice

Four months to seven months

At this age, baby does the following:

• Babbles
  
  
• Gestures when he or she wants you to repeat an action
  
  
• Makes gurgling sounds
  
  
• Grasps small objects
  
  
• Reaches for things
  
  
• Is aware of different textures and explores them with fingers
  
  
• Responds to "no" and his or her name
  
  
• Responds to your tone of voice
  
  
• Responds to new sounds

Eight months to twelve months
At this age, baby does the following:

• Crawls forward on belly
  
  
• Assumes hands-and-knees position and creeps on hands and knees
  
  
• Changes from sitting position to crawling or lying on stomach
  
  
• Pulls self up to stand and walks holding on to furniture
  
  
• Stands briefly and may walk 2 or 3 steps without support
  
  
• Can pick up things with thumb and forefinger
  
  
• Understands names of some people and objects
  
  
• Tries to imitate writing
  
  
• Pays increasing attention to speech
  
  
• Responds to simple verbal requests and to "no"
  
  
• Tries to imitate words; says "dada" and "mama"
  
  
• Plays "peekaboo" and "pattycake"
  
  
• Imitates gestures