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Baby calendar

Baby lying on tummy
Photo credit: iStock.com / FamVeld

You'll be amazed how quickly your baby changes in their first year of life. Our week by week guides will help you to chart their progress.

Photo credit: iStock.com / FamVeld

Baby newborn

A midwife places a hospital identity wristband on newborn baby's wrist
Newborn
This week, reality sets in. You have a baby! They're all yours, they're home with you, and they're dependent on you for love, care, and feeding.
Tiny newborn lying in crib
1-week-old
Feeding your baby around the clock – plus all of the concerns that go with nourishing a newborn – is bound to fill your first week of parenthood
Newborn baby in blue hat sleeping
2-week-old
At two weeks, your baby’s natural reflexes are important. They’ll keep busy sucking, grasping, rooting (when your baby searches for your nipple), and blinking.
A newborn sleeping
3-week-old
There's only one way to say how you're feeling: exhausted. For what it's worth, sleep deprivation is the bane of every new parent.
A young baby lays on a polkadot mat
4-week-old
Your baby's hearing is now fully developed, though it will be a while before they understand all the noises in their world.
A Mother's hand supports her smiling baby's head
5-week-old
Your little one may have a consistent routine now, which should mean longer stretches of sleep and more alert phases during the day.
Mother dressing her baby
6-week-old
The adrenalin that carried you through the first few weeks has likely worn off. Don't worry - it won't be long before your baby starts napping at roughly the same time each day.
Newborn smiling, lying on mothers lap
7-week-old
Your baby's tuning in to you more each day. When you speak, they may stop sucking their hand, or interrupt a feed to listen to you.
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Baby 2 to 6 months

A baby laying on his side with his hands to his mouth
2-month-old, first week
Your baby's is getting stronger. They’re practising keeping their head steady and may be able to hold it up for a few seconds.
Parents looking at their baby
2-month-old, second week
At this age, most babies still wake up at least once or twice in the night. (At this stage "sleeping through the night" means a 5 or 6-hour stretch.)
A baby laying on his front lifts his head
2-month-old, third week
Your little one's movements are pretty smooth by now. Their arms and legs are more coordinated, especially when they’re watching people.
Baby laughing
2-month-old, fourth week
Sharing books with your baby improves their ear for the rhythm of language and will go on to help them with early speech development.
A happy baby laying on a bed, smiling and grabbing at his clothes
3-month-old, first week
Your baby's sense of humour is developing. A tickle or a raspberry blown on their tummy is likely to produce a chuckle.
Young father smiles at his baby son laying tummy down on the sofa.
3-month-old, second week
If you're spending hours feeding your baby, you may forget to eat. However busy or tired you are, it's worth starting the day with a good breakfast.
A mum playfully holding her baby's legs
3-month-old, third week
Your baby's starting to make sense of the world. As their brain develops, they’re looking around with more curiosity – even at their own reflection.
A young baby lays flat on a sheep skin rug
3-month-old, fourth week
Your baby may amaze you by rolling from their front to their back. It will be at least a month before they can do it the other way round, though.
baby lying on his tummy and lifting his head
4-month-old, first week
Babies this age may be able to work out all the basic sounds that make up the language spoken at home. Your baby may start saying ma-ma and da-da this month.
A father holding a baby with grandfather looking on
4-month-old, second week
You may notice periods of quiet now. Your baby, who so far has needed your full attention, may be happy amusing themselves in their crib for a few minutes.
Dad holding baby and carrying washing
4-month-old, third week
It's hard to keep up with the chores when you have a new baby. Be realistic. Focus on specific goals and accept all offers of help.
Dad holding baby while mom smiles at them
4-month-old, fourth week
After adjusting to life with a new baby, you may be at a point where you feel you can lift your head out of the sand. You'll find the world is still out there!
A smiling dad hugs his baby laying on a fluffy blanket
5-month-old, first week
Your baby may give you hugs and kisses, but they’re more likely to reveal their love for you by raising their arms when they want to be picked up and by crying when you leave the room.
Parents smiling at their baby laying on a changing mat
5-month-old, second week
By now, all your baby's kicking, rolling and waving is paying off. They're getting much stronger.
Close-up of baby looking at camera
5-month-old, third week
Your baby may now be able to mimic you, another source of fun. Stick out your tongue, puff out your cheeks and see if they copy.
Baby smiling and lying on rug
5-month-old, fourth week
Your baby now sees and hears the world almost as well as you do. Their communication skills are developing quickly, too, proved by all those squeals!
Mom holding baby and dad kissing baby on the cheek
6-month-old, first week
Your baby could cut their first tooth any time now. Usually, one of the bottom front teeth shows first, then one of the ones next to it, and then the two top front teeth.
Baby smiling
6-month-old, second week
Whether your baby seems to be mastering a skill earlier or later than most really doesn't mean much at this stage. Every baby grows and develops at their own pace.
Baby smiling in highchair as mom offers a spoon of food
6-month-old, third week
If your bundle of joy seems cranky, hungry and is splitting the seams of their onesies, you may have a six-month growth spurt on your hands.
A smiling baby lays on his front on a wooden floor
6-month-old, fourth week
Does your baby like soft toys? One might become their chosen comfort object. If so, you soon won't be able to go out without it.
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Baby 7 to 11 months

boy in white with wooden spoon to his mouth
7-month-old, first week
Your baby is probably keen on solids. Try scattering baby-friendly finger foods like chunks of banana on your baby's highchair tray, so they can graze as they please.
baby girl in yellow dress crawling across lawn
7-month-old, second week
This is the age when babies begin to test boundaries. They’re just curious. The best plan is to distract them from what they’re doing.
Dad kissing happy baby on the cheek
7-month-old, third week
Chances are, your baby will sprout their first tooth this month, and it will probably be one of the two bottom middle ones.
baby boy with blue eyes pokes out tongue
7-month-old, fourth week
By now your baby's emotions are more obvious. They may blow a kiss to people, and do it again if you clap!
A baby crawling on the wooden floor
8-month-old, first week
It’s tempting to protect your baby from just about everything, but they need the freedom to learn. Just be sure their environment is safe.
Baby sitting in bath chewing on a toy
8-month-old, second week
Your baby's now exploring objects by shaking, banging, dropping and throwing them. And they haven’t stopped gumming them, either.
baby in a highchair drinking from a sippy cup
8-month-old, third week
Once your baby is mobile, keeping up with them can be tiring. Remember to take a breather when you're frustrated.
baby girl in colourful swimsuit plays in a paddling pool
8-month-old, fourth week
Your baby may now stand and cruise around the room with the help of the furniture. But they won't need shoes until they’re walking outside often.
Baby with long hair
9-month-old, first week
At this age, your baby just knows when they’re in an unfamiliar place. Expect them to be clingy.
Baby playing with toy
9-month-old, second week
Your baby will start to imitate actions they saw as much as a week earlier, and even show you they know what’s coming next in their routine at lunchtime or bedtime.
baby boy holding the sides of his wooden crib
9-month-old, third week
The stream of words your baby has heard since birth is beginning to work its magic, though their understanding of words is better than their ability to use them.
baby boy sat in an outdoor swing seat
9-month-old, fourth week
Your baby's personality is really emerging now. They may be sociable and smile at everyone they meet, or be shy and hide their face when well-meaning strangers say hello.
Baby boy with hand on his face
10-month-old, first week
That’s true love, baby! As you’ve probably noticed, your baby now has a very firm group of favourite people and you are most definitely on their A-list.
Baby standing in cot
10-month-old, second week
At this stage, your baby might find small objects cengrossing. They may spend a long time looking at each toy they get their hands on.
A mother and baby sitting on a blanket in the grass
10-month-old, third week
Your baby may now be able to walk while gripping your hand, and may hold out their arm or lift a leg to help you dress them.
A smiling baby holds the edge of a coffee table, toys on the floor in the background
10-month-old, fourth week
Your baby now understands simple instructions, though this doesn't mean they'll pay attention when you say "no". To help the word mean more, don't use it too much.
Mother working from homeholding her baby while baby sitting on the desk and talking to her.
11-month-old, first week
Your baby is making more meaningful noises every day. They are trying to tell you something by babbling and may even be saying a few words.
baby boy in blue and white stripped top pokes out his tongue
11-month-old, second week
Your baby probably enjoys looking at books, but finds it hard to turn the pages. Give them some sturdy board books that can stand up to small fingers – and tiny teeth!
Mom and baby's feet as baby takes first steps
11-month-old, third week
There's lots you can do with your mini-me these days, including walks, reading picture books, and trips to the playground.
Mum helps baby daughter to stand by holding her hands
11-month-old, fourth week
If your baby isn't walking yet, they’ll likely take those first steps on their own soon. Try not to worry about the pace at which your baby is learning to get mobile.
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Community

  • Baby advent calendar ideas
    By Shellbelle88 in March 2017
    Hey ladies,  As the holidays quickly approach, I'm starting to plan and think ahead. I'm wondering if any of you crafty ladies have ideas for advent calendars? I've checked Pinterest and they don't have much for babies, mostly older kids. What sorts of things would you include?? 
    10-30-17 by Kiddo1985
    12
    no reactions
    0
  • Calgary - Pregnancy/Birth Classes
    By HVfirefly in September 2015
    I am signing up for the below classes.  Is anyone else familiar with them? http://www.birthandbabies.com/course-calendar/birth-and-babies http://www.birthandbabies.com/course-calendar/early-pregnancy   
    01-31-15 by Isabele1
    8
    no reactions
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  • Babies first year calendar (where can I get one?)
    By javex6 in October 2013
    I was wondering if anyone else has found a babies first year calendar in any stores?  I just realized I haven't come across one yet and I always do one for my kids.  Thanks for your help.
    10-08-13 by Jaykesmom
    4
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