"Is My Baby Behind, or Is Google Just Making Me Anxious?"

There’s something about having a baby that turns even the chillest moms into part-time detectives. Is my baby rolling over fast enough? Crawling on time? Saying enough words? And don’t even get me started on the "my baby walked at 9 months" brigade—we get it, Karen, your child is a prodigy.

When I became a mom, I tried so hard not to obsess over milestones. I knew that every baby develops at their own pace, and stressing over every little thing wouldn’t help anyone. But then I'd log onto Google… and suddenly, I was questioning everything.

So, let’s break it down—when should you actually worry about milestones, and when should you just close Google and enjoy your baby?

The Reality of Baby Milestones (Hint: It’s Not a Race)

First things first—milestone charts are not a competition. But somehow, moms (and well-meaning relatives) have turned them into a parenting Olympics.

🙋‍♀️ My take? I absolutely hate the "who's ahead" game. Instead of supporting each other, some moms act like they’re collecting trophies based on when their baby claps for the first time. News flash: early walkers don’t get scholarships, and late talkers aren’t doomed.

When to Chill vs. When to Pay Attention

🚀 Totally Normal (Even If Google Makes You Panic)

✔️ Your baby isn’t rolling over by 4 months – Some take until 6 months.
✔️ Crawling late or skipping it entirely – Some babies never crawl and go straight to walking.
✔️ Not walking at exactly 12 months – Many take up to 18 months.
✔️ Not saying many words at 1 year – As long as there’s babbling, eye contact, and engagement, you’re good.
✔️ Struggling with solids – Some babies take longer to get into food (and prefer decorating their high chair with it instead).

🚨 When to Check in With Your Doctor

🚩 No eye contact or response to sounds by 3-4 months
🚩 Very stiff or very floppy movements
🚩 No babbling or sounds by 9 months
🚩 No interest in interaction or people
🚩 Not walking by 18 months

Most of the time, your baby is just doing things in their own time—but if something feels really off, it’s always good to check in with your pediatrician.

How to Stop Obsessing Over Milestones (and Actually Enjoy Your Baby)

✔️ Trust that your baby has their own timeline – Seriously, they’re not reading the charts.
✔️ Stay off Google (or at least limit it) – If you must check something, stick to high-quality sources.
✔️ Don’t compare your baby to others – It’s pointless and just adds stress.
✔️ Focus on connection, not checklists – At the end of the day, your baby just wants YOU.

🙋‍♀️ Reality Check: Milestones matter, but they’re not the only thing that defines your baby’s growth. So let’s support each other instead of treating baby development like a race.

Final Thoughts

Yes, milestones are important, but they’re not everything. Most of the time, your baby is doing just fine, even if they’re a little “late” by the charts.

So, instead of stressing over what they should be doing, take a deep breath and enjoy the stage they’re in—because before you know it, you’ll be missing these moments.

💬 Did you ever stress over milestones? What helped you relax about it? Drop it in the comments!