At three months old, the baby starts seeing better and easily recognizes their mother. It's also possible for them to make different sounds like agu, abu, and try to mimic games like pretending to drive. In the fourth month of life, the baby starts to explore their own body. It's time to explore hands, feet, and toes. They are also starting to show interest in more colorful objects and different sounds. The main sign of development is responding to their own name. They are now able to understand and turn their head when called.

Some babies can stand on an adult’s lap in the fifth month, firmly supported by the person holding them. They can already practice a few steps without even touching the floor. At this stage, it is recommended to start placing the baby to play on a cushion-filled playpen on the floor or in a suitable area for their safety. By the sixth month, the baby can sit up and may stand by holding on to furniture.

In the seventh month, the development is summed up in two things: clapping and interacting with the world around them. Feeding also changes after relying solely on breast milk until then. The little screams are their way of saying: look, I'm here! By the eighth month, it is possible the baby is crawling. The progress of motor skills is clear. With the appearance of teeth, the baby may want to bite everything, so sharp, small, and dangerous objects should be kept out of reach. This stage is marked by exploring the environment.

The cognitive development of a baby at nine months old is easy to notice. They can play with bigger objects and love toys that make sounds. It’s no wonder that animal piano-style toys, musical labyrinths, and other sound-makers are so popular. Babies can also distinguish tone of voice and, for this reason, know when they are being scolded and when a word is not spoken firmly.

Playing with a ten-month-old baby teaches more than we can imagine. Teaching them to say mommy and daddy requires daily practice, but they certainly have already figured out who mom, dad, and grandma are. At this stage, it's best to help with fine motor development, such as pincer movements (using thumb and forefinger), which allow them to pick up small objects and even a grain that falls on the floor.

The development of a baby from eleven months to one year mainly involves learning to walk. The challenge of standing alone without holding onto anything can keep your baby entertained for hours. When the first real steps happen, the whole family is filled with joy, changing daily routines and outings for everyone.

Speech is now a consequence of living together. By 18 months of age, the baby will learn the meaning of words and how to speak day by day. Most babies develop their own dialect, and to understand them you need a translator who is with them all the time, like their mother. Every day, they get smarter, and one main sign of their development is giving up diapers. The ability to hold urine varies for each child but is usually achieved around two years old. After the maturity of the urinary organs, fine motor skills develop more and more each day.

Photos: FredericRivollier, Gwenael Piaser