Your baby's growth and development - 5 months old

At 5 months old, your baby is getting stronger and more active. They recognise you and may show affection to familiar people.

In the next month or 2, your baby may start to show a more regular sleeping pattern.

Many of the skills your baby is learning now help them get ready for solid food. It's usually recommended that you introduce solids at around 6 months old. Some babies are ready as early as 4 months old. If your baby shows signs of readiness, it's OK to start trying solids. Read more about balancing solids with milk feeds.

As your baby grows, their routine will need to change too. What worked a few months ago may no longer suit them.

Your baby will start moving more. If you haven't already, now is a good time to make your home safe for a baby on the move.

At 5 months old, your baby is growing steadily, but usually not as fast as in the early months.

Every baby grows at their own pace. Some babies grow a little faster, while others grow more slowly.

Your baby's weight and length will be checked at regular health checks. These measurements are compared with standard growth charts to make sure your baby is growing steadily.

While every baby develops at their own pace, there are things that babies and children are generally expected to be doing at each age. These are called 'milestones'.

Physical development

Your baby is becoming stronger and more active. They may reach for toys and move them from one hand to the other.

When lying on their tummy, your baby can lift their head and chest. They may also make early crawling movements. Your baby may start to roll from tummy to back.

Your baby may also try to sit on their own for short moments, but still needs support from your hands. When held upright, they may take some weight on their feet.

By this age, your baby can bring an object to their mouth easily.

Cognitive development

Your 5-month-old baby is curious and interested in their surroundings. You can try playing games such as peek-a-boo.

They can swipe at dangling objects and may shake and study a toy placed in their hand. Your baby can explore objects by putting them in their mouth. Make sure small objects are kept out of reach to avoid choking.

Your baby may become bored if left alone for too long.

Social and emotional development

Over the next month or 2, your baby may:

• smile to get your attention
• giggle when you play with them
• make sounds or movements to keep you engaged
• become more settled in their eating and sleeping patterns

Language development

Your 5-month-old baby is learning early language skills. They use sounds to communicate and may:

• babble or repeat sounds
• make sounds back to you when you speak to them
• babble at their reflection in a mirror

Crying is still an important way your baby shows needs such as hunger, tiredness or wanting comfort.

As your baby starts to settle into a daily routine, they are often awake more during the day. This gives you more time to interact and bond with them.

Talk and listen to your baby. Use different tones and facial expressions and respond to the sounds they make.

Play with your baby, by:

• reading books
• singing
• making funny sounds
• playing with toys

Help your baby build neck strength with tummy time. Place your baby on their tummy for short periods, adding up to at least 30 minutes across the day. As your baby gets stronger, they may enjoy longer periods on their tummy. Always stay with your baby during tummy time and place them on their back for sleep.

Read more about how your baby learns and what you can do to support their development.

Talk to your doctor or maternal child health nurse if your baby:

• does not respond to familiar faces or show interest in interacting with them
• is not making sounds or babbling
• is not showing any attempts to roll when playing on the floor
• is not exploring with their hands or feet, such as bringing them to their mouth
• is not holding or transferring objects between their hands
• has sleeping patterns that worry you
• isn't feeding well

At any age, it's important to speak to your doctor if your baby has stopped doing something they had already learned to do. This is sometimes called 'regression'.

Read more about common worries and fears for parents.

If you are worried or would like to discuss any issues with your baby's development, speak to your doctor or maternal child health nurse.

You can also reach out to these support groups:

• Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority has information about your child's development from 4 to 8 months old.
• Australian Breastfeeding Association has information about weight gain and growth patterns in breastfed babies.
• Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service has a fact sheet on development skills and activities from 4 to 8 months old.
• Tresillian has information on baby milestones and development.
• Child Health Info has a child development guide from birth to 12 months old.