Baby at 1 year
Updated 25 Oct 2026
What most babies can do at 1 year
Social and emotional
- Your baby is shy/timid and anxious around strangers
- Your baby may cry when they notice you leaving
- Your baby has favourite toys and favourite people
- Your baby shows fear in some situations. For example, they may be frightened when they see an unfamiliar animal or when a stranger tries to come close
- Your baby may hand you a book when they want to hear a story
- Your baby gets attention by repeating a sound or an action.
- Your baby may hold out an arm or a leg to make dressing easier
- Your baby enjoys playing peekaboo and high-fives with you
Language and communication
- Your baby can follow your simple requests. For example, when you ask for the ball they are holding, they can understand and hand it to you
- Your baby uses simple gestures such as shaking their head for "no" and waving "bye-bye"
- Your baby can make sounds with changes in tone (that sound like speech)
- Your baby uses their fingers and points at things
- Your baby can say "mama", "dada" and exclamations like "uh" and "oh"
- Your baby tries to repeat words you often say
Cognitive (learning, thinking and problem-solving)
- Your baby explores everything around them in different ways, such as shaking, banging and throwing
- Your baby easily finds hidden objects
- Your baby can look at the right picture or object when you name it. For example, when you ask "where's the cat?", your baby can look at the cat in a picture or a real cat within sight.
- Your baby often copies the gestures and actions of you and the people around them
- Your baby starts to use everyday objects for their proper purpose. They may understand that a cup is for drinking water and a comb is for brushing hair...
- Your baby can use two objects together, such as banging a toy in the left hand against a toy in the right hand.
- Your baby likes putting things into a container and taking them out again
- Your baby pushes objects along without help
- Your baby can point at objects with their index finger
- Your baby can do simple activities when asked, such as picking up toys
Movement / Physical development
- Your baby can get into a sitting position without any help (for example, sitting down from standing or sitting up from lying down)
- Your baby pulls up to stand by holding onto things and cruises along tables, chairs, walls...
- Your baby starts taking a few steps on their own without being held or leaning on anything
- Your baby can stand alone briefly
If your baby shows any of the signs below, take them to see a doctor early
- Your baby does not explore or take in information from their surroundings
- Your baby cannot stand even with support
- Your baby does not search for things they saw you hide
- Your baby cannot say single words like "mama" or "dada"
- Your baby does not learn gestures such as clapping or shaking their head
- Your baby cannot point at things
- Your baby loses skills they once had
Things you can do for your 1-year-old
- Give your baby time to get used to new caregivers such as grandparents, teachers or nannies. A favourite toy, soft toy or blanket can help soothe and reassure your baby.
- When your baby behaves in ways you don't like, say "no" firmly. Don't shout, smack or give long explanations. Using a form of discipline and ignoring your baby for 30 seconds to 1 minute can help redirect them
- Hug, kiss and praise your baby a lot when they behave well.
- You and the other adults in the family should spend more time encouraging good behaviour than punishing bad behaviour (spend 4 times as much time encouraging good behaviour to steer your baby away from bad behaviour)
- Talk to your baby about what you are doing. For example: "Mummy is wiping your hands with a hand towel."
- Read with your baby every day. Try asking them to turn the pages and take turns naming the pictures in the book together.
- Build on what your baby says or tries to say, or on what they point at. If your baby points at a lorry and says "l" or "lorry", say "Yes, a big blue lorry"
- Give your baby crayons and paper and let them draw freely. Show them how to draw lines up and down and across. Don't forget to praise them when they try to copy those lines.
- Play with blocks, shape sorters and other toys with your baby. Encourage them to use their hands more.
- Hide small objects and ask your baby to find them
- Asking your baby to name body parts or things you see when you are out walking together is also a lot of fun
- Sing and dance to simple familiar songs and help your baby copy your movements
- Give your baby pots and pans or a small musical instrument such as a drum or cymbals and encourage them to make noise.
- Make sure there is plenty of safe space for your baby to practise walking. Sharp objects, cleaning chemicals, hot kettles, electrical sockets... must be kept out of reach. Take care with doors, swimming pools, water basins and stairs too
- Give your baby push toys, such as a push cart
Signs that need a doctor now
If you notice any of the signs below, please go to the nearest health facility to be checked by a doctor.
Bluish skin around the lips, hands and feet, or the whole body
A bluish colour around the lips, on the hands and feet, or over the whole body is a sign the baby is short of oxygen. Call 115 or take your baby to the nearest hospital at once.
Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, chest indrawing
Breathing faster than 60 breaths a minute, chest indrawing, flaring nostrils or pauses in breathing are signs of breathing difficulty in a newborn. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now. If the baby stops breathing or turns blue, call 115.
Convulsions (fits) in a baby
A convulsion in a young baby is a danger sign. Call 115 or take your baby to the nearest hospital at once; lay the baby on their side and do not put anything in the mouth.
Signs of dehydration
No wet diaper for 6 hours, a dry mouth and lips, and few or no tears when crying are signs of dehydration. Sunken eyes, a sunken soft spot, cold hands and feet and excessive sleepiness are signs of severe dehydration and an emergency. Please take your baby to the nearest emergency department now or call 115.
Source: Vinmec – Mất nước ở trẻ sơ sinh
Fever of 38°C or higher in a baby under 3 months
A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs to be seen by a doctor, even if the baby seems otherwise well. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now.
Jaundice spreading to the belly, arms and legs, or appearing early
Jaundice that spreads to the belly, arms, legs, palms or soles, appears within the first 24 hours after birth, or lasts more than 2 weeks needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby in now, especially if the baby is feeding poorly or very sleepy.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Cách chăm sóc trẻ sơ sinh bị vàng da
Poor feeding, lethargy, hard to wake
Feeding problems, clearly reduced activity, or a baby who feels cold are danger signs in a newborn. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now.
Fever after birth
A temperature of 38°C or higher after giving birth can be a sign of infection. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Heavy bleeding after birth
Soaking through one or more pads in an hour, or passing large clots, is a sign that needs emergency care. Call 115 or have someone take you to the nearest hospital now.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
You are not alone, and these thoughts need a doctor's support soon. Please tell someone you trust right away and go to the nearest health facility today. If you feel unsafe right now, call 115.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Sources
Content advised by our doctors.
- Vinmec – Sự phát triển của trẻ sơ sinh trong năm đầu tiên | Vinmec (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP) – Developmental Milestones: 12 Months - HealthyChildren.org (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- CDC – Milestones by 1 Year | Learn the Signs. Act Early. | CDC (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Triệu chứng suy hô hấp ở trẻ sơ sinh
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: WHO – Newborn mortality (fact sheet)
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Mất nước ở trẻ sơ sinh
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Trẻ bị sốt, khi nào cần đưa đi khám?
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Cách chăm sóc trẻ sơ sinh bị vàng da
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.