The first year of your baby’s life is an amazing adventure for them and for you. Throughout the first 12 months, babies undergo big developmental changes with big leaps in physical strength, emotional bonding, language development, and just about everything else. Knowing what to look out for and what babies should be doing can lead to a lot of stress for parents and that’s why, I am outlining what to expect in terms of development and checks throughout the first 12 months alongside things you can go to help support their development in this part one of a three-part series! (I discussed sleep and weaning in separate articles).
It’s important to remember that every baby grows at their own pace, so please remember that milestones are guidelines, not a strict set of rules. Try to avoid comparing your situation with anyone else and instead, celebrate the progress your baby is making. Below is an overview of what to watch for from birth up to 12 months, along with a summary of the important health checks provided in Ireland during this time.
Welcoming Your Baby: The First Days and Weeks
Immediate checks after birth
Right after your little one is born, healthcare professionals carry out a few initial examinations to ensure everything is okay. This includes looking at your baby’s skin colour, breathing, and response to the world around them. A full newborn clinical exam usually happens within the first three days, checking the baby’s eyes (for issues like cataracts), heart rate, hips, and (if you have a boy) testicles to confirm they’re in the right place. A quick hearing screening is also done with a soft earpiece that listens for echoes in the inner ear. All babies also undergo a check of their oxygen levels before they leave the hospital.
While you’re still in the hospital, your midwife will stop by regularly to see how your baby is feeding, check for signs of jaundice, and offer help with bathing, changing nappies, or starting breastfeeding. If you had a home birth through the HSE, you’ll get similar checkups at home from your community midwife and later from your public health nurse (PHN).
First week at home
Once you and your baby are home, your PHN will usually visit you in the first three days. They’ll weigh your baby, examine them, and answer any questions you might have. They also keep an eye on your health and offer tips on feeding, safe sleep, and everything else you might be wondering about. Around this time, your baby may have a bloodspot screening test, often called the “heel prick test,” to see if they’re at risk of any rare conditions. If the results aren’t clear or if there’s a concern, you’ll be notified about next steps.
Growing by the Month: Key Milestones
When we talk about a baby’s development, we generally break it down into four main categories: social-emotional, language/communication, cognitive, and motor. Social-emotional skills have to do with how your baby connects with people and manages feelings—like smiling at you or seeking comfort when upset. Language and communication focus on the sounds, gestures, and words babies use to express themselves, as well as how they understand what’s being said. Cognitive development relates to how babies think, explore, and figure things out—such as reaching for a hidden toy. And finally, motor skills involve both big muscle movements, like rolling over or sitting up, and finer tasks, like picking up small objects or moving items from one hand to the other.