Baby 4–6 months

6 Month Old Baby

Around six months

What this month often looks like

Around this age many babies know familiar people and enjoy looking in a mirror.
Some take turns making sounds and begin to sit leaning on their hands.
This is often when families start thinking about new foods — every baby is different.

A dropped toy is not a step backwards.
Bringing hands to the mouth is something many babies do by around four months.
Practice often happens in pieces, and the pieces rarely look like the finished thing.
Rolling from front to back is something many babies do by around six months.
Around six months many babies push up with straight arms during front-lying play, and lean on their hands when sitting with support.
Being placed into a position is not the same as getting there.
The route from one hand to the other is rarely a direct one.
Reaching for a toy they want is common by around six months.
Taking turns making sounds with you, and squealing or making a range of noises, is typical around six months.
Closing the lips to show they do not want more food is something many babies do by around six months.

Keep small objects out of reach while everything is still going to the mouth.
Never leave your baby unattended on a bed, sofa or changing table — once rolling is close, they can roll off in a moment.
Help them practise sitting: hold them up, or support their back with cushions while they learn to balance.
Offering a second object while one is held invites the swap without any instruction.
Naming and pointing to things you can both see gives words something to attach to.

Routines and feeding can be shifting again.
Mixed feelings about that are understandable.
Half a year is approaching, and with it a lot of external comparison. Your baby's own pace is the only useful one.
Once movement starts, the room usually needs a second look.
Equipment promising to speed this up is rarely necessary.
Dropping things is part of the same learning, however it looks from the floor.
Six months of learning each other tends to show up as small confidences rather than one big change.

There is no single right way — gentle and responsive is plenty.

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

ParentSide has 60 recipes for 6–8 months, each with its texture, portion and preparation notes.

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.