A free, printable one-page tracker for logging your baby’s first-year milestones across the five CDC-tracked checkpoints — 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months — so you have one dated…
This free printable milestone tracker gives you one page to log your baby’s social, language, cognitive, and movement milestones at the five checkpoints most pediatricians watch in the first year: 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. Every item comes straight from the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. checklists, so you can check off what your baby is doing, jot the date, and bring the page to your next well-child visit instead of hunting down five separate handouts.
Who is this milestone tracker for?
It’s built for parents and caregivers of babies from birth to 12 months who want one running record instead of a new checklist at every appointment. Because it’s a printable rather than an age-locked article, it works whether you’re filling in the 2-month section this week or catching up all five checkpoints at once before a visit.
How do I use this first-year milestone tracker printable?
Print the page (or save it as a PDF) and check off each milestone as you notice your baby doing it, writing the date next to the box if you want a record of when. You don’t need every box checked by the exact day your baby turns 2, 4, 6, 9, or 12 months — these are milestones most babies (75% or more) reach by that age, not a deadline — so a few unchecked boxes at the visit itself is normal and gives your pediatrician something concrete to talk through with you.
PRINTABLE
Print this page (Ctrl/Cmd+P), or use your browser’s “Save as PDF” option to keep a digital copy and reprint it at each checkpoint. For the cleanest printout, turn off “background graphics” in the print dialog.
2-Month Checkpoint
Social/Emotional
Calms down when spoken to or picked up
Looks at your face
Seems happy to see you when you walk up
Smiles when you talk to or smile at her
Language/Communication
Makes sounds other than crying
Reacts to loud sounds
Cognitive
Watches you as you move
Looks at a toy for several seconds
Movement/Physical
Holds head up when on tummy
Moves both arms and both legs
Opens hands briefly
4-Month Checkpoint
Social/Emotional
Smiles on his own to get your attention
Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh
Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention
Language/Communication
Makes sounds like “oooo,” “aahh” (cooing)
Makes sounds back when you talk to him
Turns head towards the sound of your voice
Cognitive
If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle
Looks at her hands with interest
Movement/Physical
Holds head steady without support when being held
Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
Uses his arm to swing at toys
Brings hands to mouth
Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
6-Month Checkpoint
Social/Emotional
Knows familiar people
Likes to look at self in a mirror
Laughs
Language/Communication
Takes turns making sounds with you
Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
Makes squealing noises
Cognitive
Puts things in her mouth to explore them
Reaches to grab a toy she wants
Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food
Movement/Physical
Rolls from tummy to back
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
Leans on hands to support herself when sitting
9-Month Checkpoint
Social/Emotional
Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
Looks when you call her name
Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
Language/Communication
Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
Lifts arms up to be picked up
Cognitive
Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like a spoon or toy)
Bangs two things together
Movement/Physical
Gets to a sitting position by herself
Moves things from one hand to her other hand
Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself
Sits without support
12-Month Checkpoint
Social/Emotional
Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
Language/Communication
Waves “bye-bye”
Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
Cognitive
Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket
Movement/Physical
Pulls up to stand
Walks, holding on to furniture
Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food
When to talk to your pediatrician
These checklist items are milestones most babies (75% or more) reach by each age, according to the CDC’s
Learn the Signs. Act Early. program — not a diagnostic test. If your baby is missing several items for their current age, was born prematurely, or you have any concern at all, the CDC’s guidance is to talk to your pediatrician or call your early intervention program rather than waiting for the next scheduled well-child visit.
Want more detail on what each milestone looks like in real life and why pediatricians watch for it? Baby Milestones by Month: What to Watch For (Without Worrying) walks through the same checkpoints month by month. Looking for hands-on ways to support development at the earlier checkpoints? 20 Newborn Sensory Play Activities (0–3 Months) has age-matched ideas you can start today.
Frequently asked questions
What ages does this milestone tracker cover?
Five checkpoints in your baby’s first year — 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months — each broken into social/emotional, language/communication, cognitive, and movement/physical milestones.
Where do these milestones come from?
Every item is pulled directly from the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestone checklists, the same list many pediatricians reference at well-child visits.
What if my baby hasn’t reached several milestones for their age?
A few unchecked boxes isn’t automatically a red flag, but the CDC recommends talking to your pediatrician if your baby is missing several items for their age rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.
Can I print this tracker or save it as a PDF?
Yes — use your browser’s print function (Ctrl/Cmd+P) and choose “Save as PDF” instead of a physical printer if you’d rather keep a digital copy.
Is this different from your Baby Milestones by Month article?
Yes — that article explains what each milestone looks like and why it matters; this printable is a one-page tracker meant for checking off and dating as your baby reaches each one.
CITE THIS PAGE
“Free Printable: Baby’s First-Year Milestone Tracker” — KidBlueprint, https://kidblueprint.com/tools/first-year-milestone-tracker-printable/, updated September 2026.
