Developmental Milestones 6-12 Months: Support Baby’s Progress

Developmental milestones from 6-12 months are important markers in your baby’s growth journey. From speaking and learning to moving and playing, this milestone is when your baby expands its capabilities and grows independent. As a parent, what can you do to support your child’s development?

Cognitive Development

Brain development continues rapidly and extends until about 3 years of age. The myelination process, which begins during gestation, progresses, enhancing the brain’s flexibility for electrical impulses crucial for neurotransmission^[1].

During this period, active neurotransmitter synthesis plays a vital role in developing the baby’s reward centre, influencing mood and behaviour. Meanwhile, the hippocampus continues to mature, improving the baby’s recognition and memory.

Between 6 and 12 months, your baby will also show language development. They will start to babble, make repetitive sounds, and might say their first words. It is also when they start to understand simple words and commands.

Development:

• Laugh when playing
• Copy simple actions they see
• Respond to their name
• Make vowels and consonant sounds
• Understand the consequences of certain actions
• Look at pictures

Essential nutrition:

• DHA lays the foundation for optimal brain function throughout life. While breast milk can supply DHA if the mother’s omega-3 intake is sufficient, in many Western countries where omega-3 consumption is low, the DHA concentrations in breast milk are often inadequate^[2].
• Iron is necessary for various metabolic and neurological functions involved in brain development. At around 6 months of age, maternal iron stores are depleted, and breastmilk alone can no longer meet the nutritional needs of babies beyond this point^[3]. The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) for babies aged 7-12 months is 11 mg per day^[4].

What parents should do:

• Talk with your baby about the pictures they see
• Let the baby know you hear them and are here to help
• Sing and play games with your little one
• Provide iron-rich foods such as red meat, spinach, legumes, and iron-fortified cereals in the baby’s diet
• Introduce dietary sources of omega-3, such as fish or spinach

Eye Development

The eyes continue to develop, and by 7-11 months, your baby will begin to have depth perception. This development allows them to judge distances more accurately.

Development:

• Look for and follow the things they like
• Show interest in brightly coloured toys and visually engaging patterns
• Play peek-a-boo

Essential nutrition:

• Vitamin A for vision and retina development
• Lutein accumulates in the retina and prevents damage from reactive oxygen species caused by light damage
• DHA for the development of the retina and healthy vision

What parents should do:

• Introduce toys with different textures and shapes
• Put toys out of reach to encourage your baby to crawl and reach
• Buy books with colourful pictures and illustrations
• Expose your baby to different environments and visual experiences
• Feed your baby a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fish
• Ensure a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, as undernutrition can impair eye development and lead to vision problems

Intestinal And Gut Microbiota Development

When your baby’s intestines fully develop, you can start introducing solid foods^[5]. The gut microbiome is still maturing, so ensure that you incorporate both prebiotic and probiotic foods into their diet^[6].

Expert advice: As your baby begins solids, constipation might occur as their digestive system adjusts to new foods. To manage constipation, include fibre-rich foods from whole grains like brown rice and fruit and vegetable purees with the skin on.

Explore more tips to prevent and manage constipation in babies when starting solids in our detailed sharing.

What parents should do:

• Introduce solid food.
• Yoghurt is an excellent choice for babies over 6 months, as it provides beneficial bacteria and has a smooth texture that’s easy for them to eat.
• If opting for premade baby food along with fresh foods, try Little Étoile Baby Food – certified organic, non-GMO, and allergen-free.

Immune System Development

One of the common developmental milestones at 6-12 months is when your baby may encounter their first cold. While it can be distressing to see your baby unwell, it’s a natural part of how their immune system develops.

Each time your baby encounters a pathogen, their immune system creates antibodies, which help protect against future infections by the same pathogen. This process continues with each illness, gradually building a defence system against common viruses and bacteria^[7].

Development:

• Experience the first cold
• Build immune cell memory

Essential nutrition:

• Vitamin A and Zinc for the formation and maintenance of mucous membranes (intestines)
• Vitamin C encourages the formation of collagen and connective tissue
• EPA & DHA for immune system development and function

What parents should do:

• Monitor your baby’s health and consult with a healthcare provider if needed
• Prioritize fruits rich in vitamin C, such as pears, apples, mangoes, and kiwi
• Focus on foods containing beta-glucan, such as oats and baker’s yeast

Bone And Teeth Development

By 6-12 months of age, your baby’s first tooth will likely emerge. The front teeth are typically the first to come in, starting with a lower tooth, then shortly after another lower tooth, and then two upper teeth.

During this period, bones continue to grow and develop rapidly. As a result, the calcium needs per kilogram of body weight are higher during infancy and childhood compared to other stages of life.

Essential nutrition:

• Calcium is for the mineralization and growth of bones and teeth, as cartilage is gradually replaced with solid bone
• Vitamin D aids calcium absorption in the gut, supports normal bone formation, and prevents rickets
• Vitamin K encourages calcium absorption within the bone during development and elongation

What parents should do:

• Expose the baby to sunlight
• Use dairy products, kale, broccoli, tofu, eggs, fish, etc.

Emotional Development

Emotional development from 6-12 months is pretty evident. During this period, parents must provide consistent comfort and reassurance to help their baby feel secure.

Development:

• Start to show fear or anxiety about people and situations that previously didn’t bother them
• Stay close to you and show visible pleasure when you return after being away
• Seek comfort from you when they are upset
• Recognize and respond to other people’s emotions

What parents should do:

• Be a place of comfort and security, especially when your baby shows fear or anxiety
• Allow your baby to express their emotions and respond with empathy
• Gently expose your baby to new people and situations in a supportive environment

See more: 0-6 months development​| 12-18 months development

This guide is for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose health conditions or make changes to medical treatments. Always consult with your healthcare professional for advice.