Are you a new parent unsure of what gross motor milestones to expect during your baby’s first year? Online information can sometimes be vague about these developmental steps, leaving you wondering what’s normal and when you should be concerned. We’re here to provide milestones and tips to help guide your little one’s physical development.
0-3 Months: Early Exploration
- Grasping: Introduce toys like rattles that are easy to grasp. By 3 months, your baby should be able to hold a toy in front of them for 5-10 seconds. If they aren’t reaching yet, you can encourage this by gently stroking the toy along their arms and hands.
- Tummy Time: Tummy time is essential during this stage. Place your baby on your chest, the floor, or an exercise ball. By 3 months, they should be able to lift their head 30-45 degrees while keeping their arms under their chest. Aim for short intervals of up to 5 minutes, repeated throughout the day. Always supervise baby when in tummy time positions!
4-6 Months: Rolling and Prop Sitting
- Rolling: Your baby will begin to explore rolling, first from side to belly, then back to belly, and eventually belly to back. Encourage rolling by placing toys just out of reach to motivate movement. Rolling helps strengthen muscles needed for later mobility.
- Prop Sitting: Around 6 months, babies start practicing prop sitting, using their hands for support. You can use a Boppy pillow for additional support or have your baby sit on your thighs with minimal help. Aim for up to 8 seconds of sitting by 6 months.
6-9 Months: Crawling and Strength Building
- Pushing Up on Arms: By now, your baby should be able to push up on straight arms, lifting their head and chest about 45 degrees. This movement prepares them for crawling on all fours.
- Independent Sitting: Your baby should start being able to sit independently for over 2 minutes and reach for toys outside their base of support without losing balance. Around 9 months they will begin transitioning in and out of sitting from a quadrupled position.
- Army Crawling: Your baby may start pulling themselves forward by army crawling (elbows bent). Encourage transitions by practicing side-sitting and helping them move from sitting to a crawling position.
- Crawling: As babies get stronger, they’ll begin crawling on all fours. Around this age, babies typically begin crawling using an alternating arm-and-leg motion. Make sure they aren’t hitch-crawling (dragging one leg) as this can affect proper development.
10-12 Months: Standing and Cruising
- Pulling to Stand: Between 10 and 12 months, your baby will start pulling up to stand by transitioning from sitting to kneeling to standing, using support like furniture. Look for them to use both legs equally.
- Cruising: As your baby gains strength, they will start cruising by walking sideways along furniture. This movement helps prepare them for independent walking by practicing weight shifting from side to side.
If your baby is not meeting these goals, consider speaking to your pediatrician and coming to TEAM 4 Kids for a physical therapy evaluation. Early intervention can make a world of difference in your child’s growth and mobility.
Nicole Settles, PTA & Adam Aguilar, PTA
In the video below, PTA Adam shares tips to guide your little one’s physical development.
