6–18 months
Baby milestones
This exciting stage is a whirlwind of baby development, bursting with precious ‘firsts’, from determined crawls to triumphant first steps, and amazing emerging skills like speaking those first words and independent eating. We’re here to celebrate every giggle, every tiny leap forward, and offer valuable parenting tips and products designed to support your baby’s natural growth, every step of the way.*
*Refers to the range of NUK products only; does not imply any effect on babies’ growth or development.
Your guide to navigating baby milestones from 6 months
To support your little adventurer through these exciting new stages, we’ve gathered valuable insights and thoughtfully designed products. Discover articles on introducing first foods, gentle teething relief, and encouraging those early steps. All to nurture their independent growth.
Nurturing natural beginnings
NUK Disney Winnie the Pooh Perfect Match Bottle 260ml
NUK Perfect Match Learner Straw Cup
NUK Perfect Match Air Soother 0-36m
NUK Perfect Match Replacement Teat 2-Pack
NUK Perfect Match Multi Pack Set of 3 Bottles
Which “firsts” to expect from 6 to 18 months?
From 6 to 18 months, your little one blossoms into a curious explorer, eager to conquer their world! This stage is a whirlwind of precious ‘firsts’, from mastering those wobbly crawls and determined grabs to uttering first words and taking those exhilarating first steps. We’re here to celebrate every giggle, every determined effort, and every tiny leap forward, supporting your baby’s natural growth, every step of the way.
Tiny hands, big grabs
Their hands are no longer just for waving; they now consciously and intentionally reach out to grab at anything coming their way. From your nose to grandparents’ glasses or even jacket buttons, your curious baby will investigate them all with huge concentration. Sometimes, a single delightful item can occupy their attention for minutes.
Baby’s first tooth
A small white tip appears! The first signs of teething start around 6 months. This is a significant breakthrough in your child’s development, opening doors to new eating experiences and even boosting speech as sounds become more intelligible. Healthy palate and gum development is vital, and NUK offers ideal products to help support this growth.
Learning to eat and drink
Around 10 months, your baby is ready for exciting new tastes and textures! They can often sit up and are eager to grab at food. This is a wonderful time to move from purées to finger foods and join family meals. You can offer soft fruits, veggies, and even toast soldiers. For drinks, our NUK Learner Cups and Straw Cups are perfect companions for milk or water, making every sip towards independence easy and spill-proof.
More and more understanding
Around this age, your baby begins to understand more of what you say. They’ll start recognising many words related to their immediate environment, their name, parent, and even ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Every conversation, every book you read, every song you sing helps nurture their understanding of speech and builds their world of language. Keep talking, reading, and singing. You’re building bridges of connection!
Getting on the move
Get ready for action! Your little one is developing adventurous new ways to move, rolling, crawling, creeping, and scooting to reach treasures previously out of bounds. This boundless curiosity is wonderful, but it also means busy hands and feet are always on the move, so keep an extra watchful eye!
First steps, at their own pace
From determined crawls to those exhilarating first steps, every baby walks at their own pace, and that’s perfectly normal. Encourage them with smiles and guidance, celebrating every wobble and triumph. Avoid baby walkers; natural movement is always best for healthy development. Your little one is building incredible self-belief with every step, shaping their whole worldview as they gain new perspectives!
Soothing busy gums
The first signs of teething in 6-month-old babies are those little busy gums! Drooling, attempts at chewing, and putting everything in reach into their mouth are common. This can sometimes lead to fussiness or restlessness. Our NUK teethers are your gentle allies for this stage. Designed with different materials and levels of hardness, like the NUK All Stages Teether and NUK Extra Cool Teether, they reach all areas of your baby’s mouth for beneficial massage. Cooling options like the NUK Cool Teether provide sweet, intensive relief, supporting your baby through every teething phase.
Reviews from NUK parents worldwide
Parenting is an adventure, and we’re all in this together. At NUK, we value your feedback and believe in the power of shared experiences. See what other parents have to say about our products.
★★★★★
We bought the learner cups for our 7-month-old daughter to gradually get her used to drinking water. She accepted the cup right away, which made us very happy. The transition from the bottle worked much better than we had expected.
After trying more than four other soother brands and models, these were finally the ones my daughter took to immediately!
★★★★★
These soothers are ideal for my breastfed little girl! What’s more, their curved design keeps them from touching her skin, preventing irritation around her mouth.
The questions you may have
What can I do to help my baby with teething discomfort?
Those first little teeth are a big milestone! To soothe tender gums, you can offer a NUK teether: its gentle textures can provide sweet relief. Cool washcloths or a gentle gum massage can also work wonders. Just keep nurturing those precious new smiles!
How can I encourage independent drinking for my growing baby?
It’s time for independent sips! Around 6 months, you can introduce a learner cup. Our NUK Learner Cups and Straw Cups are thoughtfully designed with ergonomic handles and spill-proof confidence, making it child’s play for little hands to grasp and guide. It’s a joyful step towards autonomy!
What are some key developmental milestones to look forward to between 6-18 months?
Get ready for a whirlwind of wonders! You’ll see charming wiggles turn into determined crawls, leading to those triumphant first steps. Little hands will develop amazing dexterity, and joyful babbling will blossom into first words. Every new skill is a celebration of their incredible growth, and NUK is here to cheer you on, every step of the way!
How can I avoid separation anxiety?
As your little one bravely ventures into the world beyond just you, the beginnings of separation anxiety (around 6 to 9 months) can emerge. It’s a completely normal and healthy sign that they feel secure enough to explore, and simply need reassurance of your loving support. Offer plenty of cuddles, gentle goodbyes, and comfort items; you’re nurturing their brave spirit, and letting them know you’ll always be there to welcome them back from their big discoveries!
