Baby 4–6 months

5 Month Old Baby

Around five months

What this month often looks like

Swinging an arm at a toy, and holding one placed in the hand, are things many babies do by around four months.
When something held goes straight to the mouth, that is exploring, not a habit to correct.
Making sounds back when you talk is typical around four months.
Holding and examining are different things, and the second one is worth watching for.
Tummy time is doing something even on the days when nothing visible changes.
Pushing up onto the elbows during front-lying play is common by around four months.
Repeating the same game is not a lack of imagination; the repetition is the point of it.
Chuckling — not yet a full laugh — when you try to make them laugh is something many babies do by around four months.

Light, easy-to-hold objects with no small parts suit this stage best.
Answer the sound they make as if it were a sentence. The reply matters more than the accuracy.
Nothing here needs buying: a firm floor, a clear patch of it, and short goes that end when they have had enough.
Repeating the same short game is useful — the repetition is what makes it predictable enough to enjoy.

Seeing new little skills can be a joy, even on tiring days.
Days can start to include a little more play and a little less pure survival.
Some weeks bring visible change and some bring none. Both are ordinary.
Rolling is often talked about long before it happens. There is a wide window for it.
Recognisable preferences make planning a little easier, even if nothing is reliable yet.

There is no checklist to complete; play and closeness are plenty.

34 activity ideas suit this age — most take about five minutes and need nothing you do not already have.

Services ParentSide defines for this stage. Each page explains what the service covers and which professionals are approved to provide it.

Sources

If you are worried about your wellbeing or your baby's wellbeing, consider contacting a qualified health professional.