Motor development

April 3, 2026

Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary pace, and each milestone will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major stages of their development and how to interact with them to stimulate their awakening.

During their first year, your baby will progress at an extraordinary speed: lying down, sitting, then crawling, and finally standing, they will ultimately achieve the greatest feat of all, their first steps!

To achieve this, from birth, your child will improve their muscle control and coordination of movements day by day through various experiences. Alongside this brain maturation, they will gain weight and grow, their limbs will lengthen and gain muscle strength.

At each stage of their development, support them by giving them your attention, encouragement, and congratulations, as well as offering them new activities as they evolve: in this way, you will best stimulate their awakening and progress. Also, have confidence in their abilities: your child will feel it and draw additional strength from it to move forward.

And if your baby doesn't reach all the milestones within the indicated times, don't worry! Although there are some average age markers, children develop their motor skills at their own pace, and many factors can influence their progress: their possible prematurity at birth (or gestational term), their body type, their temperament, the stimulation they receive, etc. Regular check-ups with your doctor will be opportunities to verify that your little one is developing correctly.

At Birth

When your baby comes into the world, their limbs are flexed, and their neck and torso have little tone. They are unable to support their head on their own for more than a few seconds: don't forget to place a hand under their neck when you lift them! Their movements are involuntary and uncoordinated. They have several primitive reflexes that will disappear over the following months:

If you stroke their cheek, they turn their head towards your finger and open their mouth to suck.
A finger placed in their mouth triggers a sucking reflex.
If you lift them too abruptly or if they feel physical discomfort, they suddenly extend their arms and legs, opening their hands, then bring their limbs back into flexion: this is the Moro reflex.
Held upright on a surface, they automatically take a few steps: your baby already knows how to walk, but they will soon forget it only to relearn it later.
If you touch the palm of their hand with one of your fingers, they grasp it firmly and hold it tight.

Around 1 Month

You can make eye contact with your baby by getting close to their face and moving gently: they will follow you with their eyes.
They "smile at angels" when they feel good.

Around 2 Months

Your baby holds their head upright for a few moments, then it wobbles.
If you hold them sitting, their back is still soft and remains hunched.
They suck their fingers.
Between one and two months, they offer you their first real smiles, in response to your solicitation.

Around 3 Months

Your baby is now able to hold their head upright when you hold them in your arms.
Their back is increasingly toned when you hold them sitting.
If you lay them on their stomach, they lift their head and support themselves on their forearms for a few moments.
On their back, they extend and flex their legs alternately.
They are fascinated by their hands, which they spend a lot of time contemplating.
If you place a rattle in their hand, they automatically grasp it then let go.

Around 4 Months

Placed on their back, your baby explores their body by stroking their tummy or knees. They can also roll over onto their side.
They manage to hold an object placed in their hand for a few moments, but they still often drop it.
They bring their hands together and hold them tight.
They turn their head when they hear a noise.
They start to laugh out loud.

Around 5 Months

Lying on their back, your child "pedals" and plays with their little feet.
They manage to sit upright for a short time if you prop them up with cushions.
They grab an object within reach and immediately bring it to their mouth to suck on it.
They smile at their reflection in the mirror.

Around 6 Months

Placed on their tummy, they manage to roll over onto their back.
Lying on their back, they play with their feet and bring them to their mouth. They also lift their head and torso to try to sit up on their own, but they don't succeed.
They reach out their arms to you for you to pick them up.
They hold their toys very well. They drop one if you hand them another.
When you support them in a standing position, their legs perform flexion-extension movements like springs: this is the "jumper" stage.

Around 7 Months

Your baby is finally able to sit up: it's a big victory for them! In this position, they hold their back and head very straight without moving.
Lying on their tummy, they are able to support themselves on one hand to grab a toy with the other.
They roll from back to tummy and from tummy to back.
They pass their toys from one hand to the other without dropping them and bang them on a table.

Around 8 Months

In a sitting position, your baby can lean forward to grab a toy, then sit back up straight without falling. They support themselves on their hands to maintain balance.
Lying on their back, your child manages to sit up on their own by pushing up with one of their arms.
They know how to drink from a bottle or a sippy cup independently.

Around 9 Months

Sitting, your baby pivots on their bottom to change direction.
Placed on their tummy, they can get on all fours (in an "bear" position), but they can't move forward yet. However, they can move by crawling, supporting themselves on their forearms. But they start by moving backward!
They manage to stand for a few moments by holding onto the bars of their playpen, a piece of furniture, or your hand, then they fall back to a sitting position.
They grasp small objects between their thumb and index finger.
They offer you their toys and give them to you.

Around 10 Months

Your baby crawls, and they can even go very fast. They have finally conquered mobility! However, don't panic if your child doesn't adopt this mode of locomotion: some babies go straight to walking without ever crawling.
They stand up by first getting on their knees then adopting the "knight in shining armor" position, one knee on the ground and the other leg bent, supported on the foot. From this position, they push on their feet while holding onto a support with their hands, and there they are, standing!
If your child manages to stand up by holding onto the bars of their crib or playpen, they will probably walk in about 3 months.
They take a few steps by holding onto furniture but often fall.

Around 11 Months

Your baby stands without support for a few moments.
Standing, holding on with one hand, they manage to bend down to pick something up from the ground.
They walk when you hold both their hands, or by holding onto furniture. You may be surprised by their "Charlie Chaplin" gait, spreading their arms and legs: perfectly normal, this amusing posture allows them to better control their balance. Little by little, they will reduce the space between their legs, which will allow them to gain confidence and move from one support to another by letting go.
They point to objects that interest them.
They wave "goodbye" and clap their hands "bravo."

Between 12 and 15 Months

On average around 14 months, your baby walks independently. What a formidable feat in so little time!
They stand up alone without support.
They climb stairs on all fours.