Health Topics

What can my baby do at this age?

This age is very social and babies begin moving in much more purposeful ways. While babies may progress at different rates, the following are some of the common milestones your baby may reach in this age group:

• Grasp, neck reflexes (reflexes normally present in young infants) disappear
• Balances head well  
• Sits with support; back is rounded
• Begins to support body with legs when held in standing position
• Rolls from back to front and front to back by 6 months
• Moves object from one hand to other
• Grabs feet and toes when lying on back
• Makes "swimming" motions with arms and legs when placed on abdomen 
• Begins drooling (not always a sign of teething)
• Naps two to three times a day, for one to three hours each (on average)
• Begins to sleep longer at night (six to eight hours consistently)  
• Has full color vision; able to see at longer distances

What can my baby say?

It is very exciting for parents to watch their babies become social beings who can interact with others. While every baby develops speech at his / her own rate, the following are some of the common milestones in this age group:

• Coos and gurgles when talked to, or in response to toys
• Babbles, begins to imitate sounds
• By 6 months, makes single syllable sounds (da, ma, ba)
• Laughs
• Squeals
• Blows bubbles from mouth

What does my baby understand?

A baby's awareness of people and surroundings increases during this time and he / she may begin to interact with persons other than parents. While babies may progress at different rates, the following are some of the common milestones in this age group:

• Recognizes familiar things and people
• May hold out arms to be picked up
• Begins to learn that a partly hidden object under a blanket is still there
• May show displeasure when object or person goes away 
• May recognize his / her own name
• May begin to understand "no" 
• Begins to understand cause and effect (the sound a toy makes when it is dropped)

• Repeat sounds and smile when your baby makes sounds 
• Laugh with your baby 
• Talk to your baby during feeding, dressing, changing diapers and bath time 
• Place safe toys near your baby to encourage reaching and grasping
• Encourage laughing and play by making funny faces or sounds or blowing on baby's belly and laughing
• Play peek-a-boo games to help develop the understanding that objects are still present even though they cannot be seen 
• Show your baby bright picture books and interesting objects 
• Show your baby his / her reflection in a mirror
• Read books and stories to your baby, and point out pictures 
• Take your baby outside to see new things and people
• Hold your baby for feedings (do not put your baby to bed with a bottle; cuddle your baby when he / she is awake.) 
• Hold and comfort your baby when he / she is unhappy