12-Month Baby Development: Walking, First Words, 1-Year Checkup
Happy first birthday! Over the past year, your baby has grown amazingly. Let's explore what 12-month-olds can do and what's ahead.
Physical Development
Weight and Length
- Weight: About 3x birth weight (avg 20-22 lbs)
- Length: About 1.5x birth length (about 29-31 inches)
- Head circumference: About 18 inches
Motor Development
Starting to Walk Many babies take first steps around their birthday.
- Cruising along furniture
- Walking with hands held
- Trying first independent steps
Hand Skills
- Pincer grasp perfected
- Drinking from cup
- Simple shape sorting
Physical Play
- Rolling and throwing balls
- Putting things in and taking out of containers
- Stacking 2-3 blocks
Cognitive Development
Problem Solving
- Uses tools to retrieve toys from under furniture
- Remembers where hidden objects are
- Understands simple instructions ("Get the ball")
Learning Through Imitation
- Copying adult actions (holding phone, sweeping)
- Pretending to brush hair
- Feeding and putting dolls to sleep
Curiosity
- Touches and explores everything
- Opens drawers
- Interested in how things work
Language Development
Speaking
- 1-3 meaningful words (mama, dada, ball)
- Expressing "more" and "no"
- Imitating animal sounds
Understanding
Understanding is much greater than speaking:
- Understands 50+ words
- Follows "no" and "come here"
- Points to body parts ("Where's your nose?")
Communication
- Uses gestures and body language
- Points to what they want
- Nods and shakes head
Social Development
Attachment and Separation
- Strong attachment to specific people
- Separation anxiety still present
- Stranger anxiety continues (but improving)
Emotions
- Expresses varied emotions
- Joy, anger, sadness, fear
- Responds to others' emotions
Play
- Parallel play (playing alongside others)
- Simple interactive games
- Hide and seek, ball rolling
Eating
Transitioning from Formula
After first birthday:
- Can start regular cow's milk
- Recommended under 500ml daily
- Breastfeeding can continue if desired
Meals
- Almost all foods are fine
- Eating with family
- Trying to self-feed
Foods to Watch
Still be careful with:
- Honey (now OK)
- Hard foods (choking risk)
- Limit salty and sugary foods
Sleep
Sleep Patterns
- Night sleep: 10-12 hours
- Naps: 1-2 times (total 2-3 hours)
- Transition to one nap may begin
Sleep Tips
- Consistent bedtime routine
- Dark room environment
- Full tummy before bed
Health Check
12-Month Checkup
Things to check at the one-year visit:
- Growth and development review
- Vaccinations (MMR, varicella, etc.)
- Anemia screening
- Hearing and vision check
Vaccinations
Vaccines around 12 months:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Hepatitis A
- Meningococcal
Warning Signs
Consult a doctor if:
- Cannot stand while holding on
- Doesn't understand simple directions
- No gestures or babbling
- Avoids eye contact
- Doesn't point at things
- Lost skills they previously had
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: 12 months but not walking yet
Normal! Walking starts anywhere from 9-18 months. If cruising, walking will come soon.
Q: Hardly talking
1-3 words at 12 months is normal. Understanding and communication attempts matter most.
Q: Should we stop breast/formula?
Formula can switch to regular milk. Breastfeeding can continue until 2 or beyond if desired.
Q: Still waking at night
Waking 1-2 times at 12 months can still happen. It gradually improves.
First Birthday Celebration
While planning the party, capture memories:
- Compare birth to 1-year photos
- Video of first steps
- Record height and weight growth data
- Note favorite foods and toys
Track Year One with BebeSnap
Record this precious first year:
- Save birthday party photos
- View growth charts for the year
- Log developmental milestones
- Create a memory timeline
References
Manage Easier with BebeSnap
AI stool analysis, feeding & sleep tracking, health reports—all in one app.
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