What most babies do by the end of 6 months:
GROWTH
During the first few months of life, your baby was growing at a rate of about 1 ½ to 2 pounds a month. By now, she should have at least doubled her birth weight. At six months, baby’s growth will slow to about 1 pound a month. Height gain will also slow, to about a half-inch each month.
- Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
- Likes to play with others, especially parents
- Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy
- Likes to look at self in a mirror
Language/Communication
- Responds to sounds by making sounds
- Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds
- Responds to own name
- Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure
- Begins to say consonant sounds (jabbering with “m,” “b”)
- Looks around things nearby.
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Brings things to mouth
- Shows curiosity about things and tries to get things that are out of reach
- Begins to pass things from one hand to the other
Movement/Physical Development
- Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front).
- Begins to sit with / without support .
- When standing, supports weight on legs and might bounce
- rocks back and forth, sometimes crawling backward before moving forward.
- Some babies can propel themselves around the floor using this rolling method.
- They may creep forward or backward — sliding around on their tummies while pushing against the floor.
- You may notice your baby rise up on hands and knees and rock back and forth.
Baby poop color
Don't be surprised if your baby's poop changes color, consistency and odor as soon as she starts eating even tiny amounts of solid foods. This is normal. If her poop seems too firm, switch to other fruits and vegetables.
Reading to your baby
Looking at books together will improve your baby's language skills and prime her for a lifelong love of reading. It doesn't matter what type of book you choose. Board books are colorful and sturdy, and books that have pop-up pictures or textured illustrations are also very popular with babies.
Making time for yourself
For most new parents, the last priority on the list is the item called "me." Baby care, holding down a job, and running a household all tend to come first. But making yourself a priority is important because if you don't, taking care of the rest of your life is all the more difficult.
SLEEP
Most babies are sleeping six to eight hours at a stretch by six months.
Now that your baby can roll over independently, don’t be alarmed if you put her to sleep on her back and she wakes up on her tummy.
The risk of SIDS is much lower at six months than it was in the first few months of life. Still, it’s a good idea to keep stuffed animals, pillows, crib bumpers, and other soft items out of the crib for now.
Sixth Month Baby Milestones: Eating
- If you haven’t started your baby on solid foods already, your pediatrician will likely recommend that you do so at six months.
- As your baby adjusts to solids, introduce pureed fruits and vegetables one at a time. Wait a few days each time you try something new to make sure they aren’t allergic to it.
- If your baby doesn’t seem to like a new food, wait a few days and then try it again.
- Cow’s milk should also not be given until your baby is at least 1 year old.
Tips for Baby’s Sixth Month
- Be on the lookout for signs that your baby is not hitting important milestones, like babbling, sitting unassisted, smiling, making eye contact, or responding to sounds.
- If you’re concerned they have missed any milestone, call your pediatrician.
- Some babies bang their heads or rock their bodies. It's normal, provided they aren't hurting themselves or doing it for hours at a time.
- Play peek-a-boo and similar games with your baby. It will help teach the idea of object permanence -- that objects still exist, even when they’re out of sight.
- Place toys just out of reach on the floor to encourage your baby to start crawling.
- If you have older children, make sure to put away toys with tiny pieces to prevent your baby from choking.