Your baby's developmental milestones

Your 2-month-old is wide-eyed and curious, smiling at faces and engaging with everything around them. Babies at this age are social and love to interact. Here is how your little one will be growing, learning and changing during this sweet age.

Your little one is growing more social and moving more purposefully. Babies at this age love to babble, coo, play and mimic the sounds they hear and movements they see. You’ll start to notice that their cries will sound different as they learn to communicate hunger, frustration, discomfort and sleepiness. Read on to find out more about some of the ways your 4-month-old is learning and changing at this stage.

At 6 months, your baby will start using sounds to express emotion. They may mimic sounds they hear, like "ma,” “da,” “ah,” “oh" and even "no!" Your little one will begin to recognize familiar faces, reach and grasp for toys and will soon be crawling — start preparing your home (and yourself) for a mobile child!

Get ready by removing any sharp, breakable or electric objects from your child’s reach, locking closets with dangerous liquids or supplies (or putting them in a safe place) and closing windows to ensure your child’s safety.

By 9 months, your baby is much more mobile and likes to explore. Babies at this age are crawling and can raise themselves to stand, so safety in the home becomes an important issue as your baby's curiosity (and mobility) grows. Your baby now responds to their name, loves to cuddle with family members and may show shyness or fear of strangers. Games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake are sure to be a big hit with your 9-month-old.

Congratulations, you officially have a toddler! Toddlers are more active, curious and expressive. At this age, your child may begin to use words, be able to stand on their own and take a few steps. To help your little one learn and grow, read books to your child and encourage active play.

Your 18-month-old toddler is now walking and using basic words. At this age, children love to play and explore. They begin to show some independence and may play pretend and point at objects they want. They also begin to understand what things in the house are used for, such as a cup or spoon. Your toddler may have temper tantrums around this age, when they grow frustrated trying to communicate how they feel.

By the age of 2, your toddler is talking, walking, climbing, jumping, running and bustling with energy. Your child now has a growing vocabulary and acquires new words on a regular basis. They can sort shapes and colours and may even show an interest in potty training. As your little one grows more independent, they may show signs of defiance as they begin to push boundaries and explore the world around them.