Milestones at 5 Months

The curiosity and discovery continue as your baby explores the world around him or her. Your baby will also start to display some serious acrobatics while becoming aware of his or her body and all of its parts. Here’s a look at what a baby typically does at 5 months:

Social / Emotional Milestones

Trusts that you will respond and help when needed
Becomes more confident in abilities
Displays persistence in trying repeatedly to reach a toy or get your attention

Language / Communication Milestones

Makes sounds to get social attention
Notices strangers
Turns head toward the sound of your voice

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Can find a toy partially hidden under a cloth

Movement / Physical Milestones

Can roll from stomach to back
May pull forward to sitting position when you hold his or her hands
Reaches for a toy with 2 hands and uses the whole hand to grasp it
Places both hands on breast or bottle when nursing

Concerned About Your Child’s Development?

All babies are different and develop at their own pace. If your infant has not yet reached some of these milestones, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.

Still, you know your child best. And developmental delays or disorders are most successfully treated when caught early.

If you have concerns, don’t wait.

Talk with the healthcare provider if you think your child...

Is not meeting milestones for his or her age
Has lost skills he or she once had, or is not doing something you’d expect him or her to be doing

Or if you have concerns about...

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves
Other things your child does

SOURCE: These developmental milestones from several infant health and development organizations, including Zero to Three, provide a general idea of what most babies can do at this age.

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