What are babies doing at 5-6 months?

Identity, attachment and fear of strangers

At 5-6 months, your baby is learning about who they are.

Your baby is also working out the difference between parents, caregivers, strangers, adults and children. At this age, your baby has made important attachments to you and other close family members or carers. Your baby likes spending time with the important people in their life.

Your baby might seem more aware of or even fearful of strangers. It’s a typical part of learning to feel safe in the world. If you give your baby time, they’ll eventually get used to new people.

Emotions

Your baby can express emotions – laughing, squealing and smiling with happiness, joy and pleasure. And your baby can smile when they want to. But your baby also grunts, frowns and cries if they’re angry or sad.

Communicating

Your baby might babble and make sounds like ‘baba’ or ‘gaga’. But your baby will also let you know what they want using other noises, movements and smiling.

Starting solids

Your baby’s appetite is growing, and they’re ready to experience how different foods taste and feel. Around 6 months your baby will start showing signs that they’re ready to start solid foods.

Moving, playing and learning

Your baby might bang or shake toys to learn how they work.

They’re also much better at using their eyes to guide their hands. They can reach out for objects with one hand, grab things and put them in their mouth or move them from hand to hand. Touching and tasting is how your baby learns about things now.

Your baby can move their head on their own, and they’re starting to move their body more by reaching, wriggling and rolling. They might push down with their legs when you hold them on your lap.

When can babies sit up?

It could be now! Your baby might sit up with some support and use their hands for balance when they’re sitting.

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 5-6 months?

Have a chat

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

Respond to feelings about new people

Comfort and reassure your baby if they seem upset or scared around strangers. This lets your baby know they’re safe.

Play with your baby

  • 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.

Introduce solids

Solid food helps your baby get enough iron and other nutrients. It also strengthens your baby’s teeth and jaw and builds skills that they’ll need for language development. Just make sure the solids are small and soft enough to prevent choking.

Check your routine

It can take time to find a routine that works for you and your baby. And you might need to adjust the routine as your baby gets older.

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, your baby 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 feeding your baby if they’re hungry – your baby feels comfortable and safe.

Sometimes you might not know why your baby is crying, but it’s still important to comfort them. 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 6-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 6 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 6-month-old has any of the following issues.

Seeing, hearing and communication

Your baby:

  • is crying a lot and this is worrying you
  • isn’t making eye contact with you
  • isn’t following moving objects with their eyes
  • has an eye that’s turned in or out most of the time
  • isn’t babbling or turning towards sounds or voices.

Behaviour

Your baby doesn’t smile or show whether they’re happy or sad.

Movement

Your baby:

  • isn’t rolling
  • has poor head control
  • isn’t sitting with your help
  • doesn’t reach for objects.

See a child health professional if you notice that your baby has lost skills they once had.

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.

Languages other than English

Supported By

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

Follow us on social media

Aboriginal flag (c) WAM Clothing
Torres Strait Islands flag
At raisingchildren.net.au we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, gather and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

© 2006-2025 Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. All rights reserved.

Warning: This website and the information it contains is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner.