As a new parent, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing your baby happy. Seeing them smile for the first time, crawl for the first time, and talk for the first time are momentous achievements to celebrate. But there are also the smaller milestones, such as lifting their head and turning their face toward a familiar voice, that have a profound impact on your baby’s development.
Milestones are practical guideposts designed to help you identify and celebrate your child’s accomplishments. From birth to 5, ParentPal’s 180 research-based milestones provide you with thoroughly vetted information, giving you a wonderful way to anticipate, encourage, and celebrate your little one’s developments.
Here’s a quick breakdown of milestones to look for in month six.
Social-Emotional: Reacts to strangers
Your baby is becoming more self-aware, and growing more attached to you and familiar adults. So now, when someone new comes along, baby realizes the difference between you and that stranger—and lets it be known that he or she prefers you.
Self Help: Comforts self
Another term for “comforts self” is “self-soothing.” A self-soothing baby has learned to calm him- or herself by sucking on a thumb or a pacifier, or other comfort measure.
Gross Motor: Rolls over from tummy
Giving your baby plenty of supervised tummy time greatly strengthens his or her upper body. Once baby is easily lifting the head and chest off the floor, and is using his or her arms to push up from the waist, rolling over from the stomach to the back is inevitable.
Fine Motor: Picks up with one hand
Your baby’s hand-eye coordination has improved to the point where he or she can reach out using one hand instead of two and pick up a toy or block with precision.
Language Comprehension: Reacts to voices, turns
Neck and back muscles have strengthened to enable the turn; and, the area of the baby’s brain controlling hearing and speech processing is now more responsive and active. So, when your baby hears a voice, it’s natural to turn toward it to engage.
Things to Keep in Mind
Remember, it’s not a race and no two babies are alike. Your baby may exhibit some of these behaviors earlier or later than others. Some may simply be skipped. Milestones are meant to be helpful guideposts for parents to ensure their baby is on the right path developmentally.
If you are ever concerned about your child’s development, contact your pediatrician.
Learn more about your baby’s milestones and how you can help foster physical and cognitive development in the ParentPal app.
Want to get a jump start on what to expect next month? Check out our blog on Your Baby’s Development: Month 7.
