Supported sitter: Your 5-month-old
Dexterity is an important skill your baby is working on this month. By now she can probably accurately reach out with one hand and trap an object in a mitten-like grab. She can hold a toy in her hand, inspect it, and then transfer it to the other hand and start sucking on it. With this improved coordination comes the ability to grasp different-size objects.
Exploring and learning
At 5 months of age you'll see your baby explore each toy by twisting, shaking, sucking, and banging it. She'll probably love a roly-poly toy that comes back up when it's knocked over or anything that she can push with her feet.
Your baby’s growth
At 5 months babies usually range from 23.5 inches long, 12.25 pounds (10th percentile) to 26.5 inches long and 17 pounds (90th percentile).
This month your baby may:
- reach accurately for an object as eye-hand coordination improves
- hold her head steady when sitting upright as neck muscles strengthen
- sit supported for up to 30 minutes and sit alone for a few moments as back muscles strengthen
- roll from stomach to back
- raise her chest with arm support while lying on her stomach as arm muscles get stronger
- mimic sounds and gestures
- repeat strings of syllables in a rhythmic way
- babble to get attention
- show positive reaction to different sounds
- make different sounds for different needs
What you can do
- Give your baby soft balls to toss and squeeze-and-squeak toys. She’ll also enjoy toys of different shapes, textures, and bright colors.
- Take her for a stroller ride. Try a different route each time for your daily walks. If it's rainy, visit the mall, a museum, or even an art gallery. Sunny days are perfect for exploring the park, the zoo, or a wildlife center. The key is to give your baby lots of bright, interesting things to look at as you walk.
- Show her baby books featuring black-and-white line drawings of various facial expressions.
- Develop her visual skills with mirror games. Hold your baby up in front of a mirror as you point out "mom" and "baby." You can also help her learn to recognize facial expressions and emotions, such as happiness or sadness, by explaining these in front of the mirror.