The first year of your baby’s life is a whirlwind of growth and wonder, filled with tiny triumphs and big developments. It’s a year packed with ‘firsts’ that you’ll definitely want to capture and cherish forever. Let’s take a stroll through some of the most precious milestones you can expect during your little one’s inaugural year on planet Earth!
Welcome Home! The moment you walk through the door with your newborn marks the beginning of a series of firsts. Capture the day you brought your bundle of joy home and remember to snap a picture of their new nursery, too!
First Smile: At around 2 months, your baby will flash their first real smile – and not just gas-induced! This heart-melting milestone is your infant’s first social interaction and is definitely one for the photo album (American Academy of Pediatrics).
Sleeping Through the Night: The first time your baby sleeps through the night might be as exciting for you as it is for them! While the timing of this milestone varies greatly, when it happens, celebrate it – quietly!
Solid Foods: Around 6 months, your baby may be ready to try solid foods. Get your camera ready for those funny faces and messy first bites. It’s not just a culinary adventure; it’s about developing coordination and fine motor skills (CDC).
Sitting Up: Watching your baby sit up without support is a clear sign they’re gaining muscle strength and control. Typically, this happens at around 6 to 8 months. It’s a perfect opportunity to surround them with toys and capture their playtime!
Crawling: Crawling is a big one, usually happening between 6 and 10 months. Whether it’s the classic crawl, the belly shuffle, or the bottom scoot, it’s a milestone that symbolizes growing independence (American Academy of Pediatrics).
First Words: ‘Baba,’ ‘mama,’ or ‘dada’? Around the one-year mark, your baby may start to verbalize their first meaningful words. While the timing can vary, when they start, it’s a moment of pure joy worth capturing!
First Steps: Perhaps the most anticipated of all, baby’s first steps usually occur around their first birthday. These tentative first steps are the start of a lifetime of running, jumping, and walking, so keep that camera at the ready!
Birthday Bash: The grand finale of the first year is undoubtedly the first birthday party. The cake, the candles (even if there’s just one), and the gathering of those who love your baby most make for a day you’ll want to remember.
A Year of Growth: As your baby grows, they’ll also hit personalized milestones unique to their personality. Maybe it’s the first time they dance to music or the first time they splash in the pool. Keep an eye out for those special ‘just them’ moments.
Tips for Capturing the Moments
Remember, Every Baby is Unique! Not all babies reach these milestones at the same time, and that’s perfectly okay. Each infant is on their own unique timetable. The most important thing is to enjoy the everyday moments and the monumental ones alike.
Here’s to a year of wonder, laughter, and plenty of photo ops. Happy memory-making!
Sources:
Newsymom
Original Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Movement: 8 to 12 Months. [Online] Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Movement-8-to-12-Months.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods. [Online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-to-introduce-solid-foods.html