Baby timeline
Your baby at 12 months
One year — from newborn to a small person with clear preferences, first words, and sometimes first steps. The 12-month immunisations and the 12-month Maternal & Child Health visit both happen around now.
What you might notice
12 months
- May take first independent steps
- May say "mama" and "dada" with meaning
- Starting to follow simple instructions
- Shows preferences and personality
Specialist note: Paediatric developmental assessment recommended if: not bearing weight on legs, no babbling, or concerns about hearing/vision.
Typical weights at this age
| Typically around | Most are between | |
|---|---|---|
| Girls | 8.9 kg | 7.1–11.3 kg |
| Boys | 9.6 kg | 7.8–11.8 kg |
Ranges are the WHO Child Growth Standards typical range (3rd–97th centile) at this age. Babies born early are tracked by corrected age. Weights vary — your MCH nurse tracks your baby’s own curve, which matters more than any single number.
Trusted resources
Your baby’s own timeline
Enter a birth date on the timeline tool to see milestones tuned to your baby — including corrected age for babies born early — and take the whole first 18 months with you as calendar reminders.
Open the baby timelineGeneral information only, aligned with Raising Children Network and green book developmental guidance. Babies vary, and corrected age applies for babies born early.
Concerns about your baby? Start with your MCH nurse (MCH Line 13 22 29) or your GP. For 24-hour nurse advice: NURSE-ON-CALL 1300 60 60 24.
Babies this age grab and mouth everything. Suspected poisoning: Poisons Information 13 11 26. Choking with inability to cry or breathe, collapse, or turning blue: call 000.
In an emergency call 000. Last reviewed 2026-08-25.