What are babies doing at 4-5 months?

Bonding

By about 5 months, your baby is starting to form a stronger attachment to you. Your baby knows your voice, remembers what you look like and understands that you respond when they need you. Your baby also knows other caregivers and understands who they are.

Communicating and feeling

Your baby is showing more emotion – blowing ‘raspberries’, squealing, making sounds like ‘ah-goo’, and even trying to copy the up-and-down tone you use when you talk. Your baby might smile and talk to themselves (and you!) in the mirror.

Your baby is also starting to show emotions like anger, frustration and irritation. For example, your baby might grizzle instead of crying.

Hearing

Your baby will turn to you when you speak, and they might even respond to their name or another sound, like a bell ringing.

Getting ready for solids

As your baby gets ready to start solids at around 6 months, they might dribble more, put their fingers in their mouth and show interest in what you’re eating.

Moving, playing and learning

Your baby enjoys reaching and grabbing things – dangling rings, rattles, toys, small blocks and more. They can hold things in their hands using their palms and pointer fingers and will often put things in their mouth. If they drop something – for example, a rattle – they might turn their head to look for it (but they probably won’t look down for it just yet).

Your baby might lift their legs in the air and put their toes in their mouth.

Your baby might be able to sit up with support around their hips and behind their bottom and lower back.

When do babies roll?

It could be around now! At 4-5 months, babies often start rolling from back to tummy as well as from tummy to back.

Your child’s brain develops connections faster in the first 5 years than at any other time in their life. Stimulating and caring environments with plenty of different activities help to build these connections and lay the foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life.

How can you help your baby grow and develop at 4-5 months?

Have a chat

Talking and listening to your baby helps them learn about language and communication. When you talk and listen, look your baby in the eye and make facial expressions to help your baby learn the link between words and feelings.

Make eye contact

When you get your baby to follow your eyes, it encourages your baby to turn their head. Like tummy time, this builds your baby’s neck strength and head control.

Play with your baby

When you and your baby play together, your baby feels loved and secure. It also helps you and your baby get to know each other. Try these ideas:

  • Sing songs, read books, play with toys, and make funny sounds together – your baby will love it!
  • Put your baby on the floor to play, and give your baby tummy time – this builds your baby’s muscles and coordination.
  • Give your baby different objects to feel, smell and taste or touch with their mouth – for example, an orange, cloth books or soft toys. Avoid sharp or hot objects, things that can cover your baby’s face, and choking hazards.

Find a routine

When it feels right for you and your baby, it can help to do things in a similar order each day. A familiar pattern helps your baby feel safe and secure.

Get ready to move

  • Give your baby plenty of floor time, and limit time in equipment that restricts movement, like bouncinettes, baby chairs and prams.
  • If your baby has started to roll, always watch your baby and never leave them unattended. Your baby might roll into danger or reach for something dangerous.
  • Make your home safe for your baby to move around in.

Sometimes your baby won’t want to do some of these things – for example, they might be too tired or hungry. Your baby will use baby cues to let you know when they’ve had enough and what they need.

Why do babies cry and how can you respond?

Sometimes you’ll know why your baby is crying. When you respond to your baby’s crying – for example, by changing a wet nappy or feeding – your baby feels comfortable and safe.

Sometimes you might not know why your baby is crying, but it’s still important to comfort your baby. You can’t spoil your baby by picking them up, cuddling them or talking to them in a soothing voice.

Never shake a baby. If you feel like you can’t cope or you might hurt your baby, gently put your baby down somewhere safe. Take deep breaths to calm down. Get support by talking to a family member or friend or by calling a parenting helpline or Lifeline on 131 114.

How to care for a 5-month-old baby and look after yourself

Every day you and your baby will learn a little more about each other. As your baby grows and develops, you’ll learn more about what your baby needs and how you can meet their needs.

As a parent, you’re always learning. It’s OK to feel confident about what you know. And it’s OK to admit you don’t know something and ask questions or get help.

It’s also important to look after yourself. Looking after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally is good for you, and it’s good for your baby. When you’re well, you can give your baby the loving attention they need to grow and thrive. You can also cope better if your baby is crying a lot.

Part of looking after yourself is asking for help, especially if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or angry. There are many people who can support you and your baby, including your partner, friends, relatives, child and family health nurse and GP. It’s a good idea to have a list of these people with their contact details. Put the list on your fridge, so it’s easy to find if you need it.

When to be concerned about baby development at 5 months

You know your baby best. So it’s a good idea to see your child and family health nurse or GP if you have any concerns or notice that your 5-month-old has any of the following issues.

Seeing, hearing and communicating

Your baby:

  • is crying a lot and this is worrying you
  • isn’t making eye contact with you
  • has an eye that’s turned in or out most of the time or doesn’t follow moving objects with their eyes
  • isn’t making sounds or responding to noises.

Behaviour and learning

Your baby isn’t:

  • smiling
  • putting objects in their mouth.

Movement

Your baby isn’t:

  • lifting their head or has poor head control
  • reaching for objects
  • rolling from tummy to back.

If you notice that your baby has lost skills they once had, see a child health professional.

Also see your nurse or GP if you have signs of postnatal anxiety, postnatal depression in birthing mothers or postnatal depression in non-birthing parents. With help and support, you can manage symptoms, feel better sooner, and give your baby what they need to develop well.

Development happens in a similar order in most children, but skills might develop at different ages or times. If you’re wondering whether your baby’s development is on track, or if you feel that something isn’t quite right, it’s best to get help early. See your child and family health nurse or GP.

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