Menu
Baby Development Directory
Though every child is different, most reach certain developmental milestones by a certain age. So how can you tell the difference between a baby who is just taking his or her time and one who has a true developmental delay? Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage on baby growth and development, what to expect when, and when to be concerned.
Medical Reference
7 Questions About Your Newborn Baby's First Week
Answers to basic questions about caring for your infant during her first week of life.
Building a Healthy Body Image in Children
A healthy body image is important for a child's physical and emotional development. Learn how to encourage one in your own child and possibly prevent eating disorders in the future.
Developmental Delays in Children
Infants and young kids learn to crawl, talk, and potty train at different speeds. But if your child lags behind their peers significantly, they may have a developmental delay.
Communicating With Your Baby Through Reading, Singing, and More
WebMD explains speech development in the first year of your child's life -- and how you can encourage it.
Features
Bye-Bye Diapers?
New potty training method suggests that some infants can be toilet trained before their first birthday.
Making Baby Genius
Throw out those flash cards. Dump those alphabet videos. The way to a baby's brain is through the heart.
Even Babies Need Exercise
To maintain their lifelong health and your sanity, make sure your infant or toddler is getting enough physical activity.
Growing Pains: What Baby Growth Charts Really Mean
Parents are a competitive bunch. So when the pediatrician whips out a growth chart and ranks baby's height and weight in percentiles, it's easy to wonder if something's wrong.
Video
How Newborns React
Pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton talks about how newborns react to their parents speech and touch.
Holding and Picking Up Babies
See the correct posture for picking up a baby and holding a baby.
Swaddling
An age-old technique is proving its worth in helping baby sleep.
Infant Massage
From bonding with your baby to better and longer sleep, infant massage has many benefits for both mom and baby.
Slideshows & Images
Baby Milestones: Your Child's First Year of Development
What developmental milestones can you expect to see during baby's first year? Take a tour of first-year "firsts" with WebMD's guide to the most anticipated baby milestones.
Toddler Milestones -- Your Child's Second Year of Development
Daily showdowns with a toddler can be rattling, but there are plenty of exhilarating moments in the mix. Preview the highlights of baby’s second year with WebMD’s guide to the most anticipated toddler milestones.
Play, Learn, and Grow With Your Baby
Help your baby reach developmental milestones with fun month-by-month playtime tips in this slideshow. Games encourage language skills, coordination, and more.
Slideshow: Play, Learn, and Grow With Your Baby
Quizzes
Expert Commentary
Baby Growth Charts: What Influences Your Baby’s Growth?
If your baby is “following the curve” of the growth chart, she’s paralleling one of the percentile lines on the chart, and the odds are good that her caloric intake is fine, no matter how much or how little milk she seems to be drinking.
Baby Development: Your 1-Year-Old
Learn about baby milestones in the first 12 months and what to expect from your infant in Month 12 of WebMD’s Baby Month by Month Guide.
Baby Development: Your 11-Month-Old
Learn about baby milestones in the first 12 months and what to expect from your infant in Month 11 of WebMD’s Baby Month by Month Guide.
Baby Development: Your 8-Month-Old
Learn about baby milestones in the first 12 months and what to expect from your infant in Month 8 of WebMD’s Baby Month by Month Guide.