Mental leap · Around 12 months
Around one year
First steps or first words may be close. Some babies do one, some the other, some wait.
26 August 2026 · 2 min read · A Baby Bee Blossom family note
From our home
Around 12 months many families notice new movement or new sounds. CDC uses this as a checkpoint, not a race. A Wonder Weeks leap is also nearby. Follow your child, not the neighbour's child.
What to expect
- Pulling up, cruising, or a first step.
- Waving, pointing, or a first clear word.
- Big feelings in a small body.
What can help
- Talk through ordinary moments and leave space for an answer.
- Let everyday jobs become the game.
- Ask the clinic if a skill is lost, or something worries you.
Sources behind this note
- CDC: developmental milestones (opens in a new tab)
- The Wonder Weeks: leaps, fussy phases, and parent notes (opens in a new tab)
Wonder Weeks is referenced where it shaped our family's way of noticing change. Baby Bee Blossom is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Wonder Weeks.