Your Baby at 5 Months

Gross Motor and Large Muscle Development
On her back, she is beginning to roll from back to tummy. She is also beginning to reach for and play with her knees and feet. She may bring her feet up to her mouth and suck on her toes. She holds her head in the center or middle of her body and may be able to lift her head off the floor.  On her stomach, she pushes up onto extended or straight arms and can turn her head to look in all directions. She actively rolls from her tummy to her back. She may even begin to scoot forward, backward or in a circle by kicking her legs and twisting her body. She may begin to reach for toys when playing on her tummy.  If she is placed in sitting, she may be able to maintain this position for two to three minutes when propping or holding herself with arms and hands. If she is gently pushed, she easily falls over.

Fine Motor and Small Muscle Development
Her reach for toys or faces is now very accurate.  She will often reach with both hands at the same time.  She may hold or pat her bottle.  She wants to touch, shake, hold and mouth objects.

Cognitive, Social and Visual Development
She recognizes familiar objects, parents and brothers or sisters.  Her voice has more inflections and she talks to herself when alone.  She may begin to make consonant sounds (b, d, m).  She will use smiles and vocalizing to gain attention. She stays alert for two to three hours at a time.  She puts everything in her mouth and will now touch, hold, turn and taste all her toys.  She uses vision in a new way--by coordinating vision with the other senses. If she sees an object, she will reach, grasp and pull the object to her mouth, and complete the exploration by gumming and chewing on it.

Activities for You and Your Baby

• Hold your arms out for a moment each time you go to pick her up. This helps her to learn the "up" gesture. Lightly clap your hands, touch her and say "up," and then lift her arms a bit to help her get the idea.

• Give her lots of different toys to hold, touch, shake and taste. She is really exploring toys now and will enjoy just about everything she can hold.

• When she plays on her back or reaches for her knees and feet, she is actually working her tummy muscles, and the muscles in her legs and back she will use when she learns to sit up all by herself. Let her have lots of play time on the floor on her back and stomach.