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Your Baby at 6 Months

agesstage_infant_6

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are the things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by 6 months, and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

reading with toddlers

What Most Babies Do at This Age:

Social / Emotional

  • Knows familiar people
  • Likes to look at himself in a mirror
  • Laughs

Language / Communication

  • Takes turns making sounds with you
  • Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
  • Makes squealing noises

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Puts things in her mouth to explore them
  • Reaches to grab a toy he wants
  • Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement / Physical Development

  • Rolls from tummy to back
  • Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
  • Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

 

Other Important Things to Share with the Doctor

  • What are some things you and your baby do together?
  • What are some things your baby likes to do?
  • Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
  • Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
  • Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

 

Concerned about your child’s development?

You know your child best. Don’t wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child’s doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned:

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
  • Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI.

For more on how to help your child, visit cdc.gov/Concerned.


 

Help Your Baby Learn and Grow.


Content provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” material and are not a substitute for a standardized, validated developmental screening tool.

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