5 Month Milestones: What are the Developmental Milestones of My 5 Month Old Baby??

Know everything to look forward to when your baby turns 5 months old

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Kedar Patnekar (MBBS, D.N.B, D.C.H, Specialist Pediatrician) Dubai, UAE.

Author: Khushboo Kirale
>> Post Created: November 15, 2020
>> Last Updated: November 15, 2024

Your baby is 5 months old already!

Your baby is almost there at the half-year mark. You are past the 4-month sleep regression and have entered the most delightful growth period of your baby.

Your baby is happy and ready to play, giggle, laugh, roll over like a panda, babble non-stop, so on and on… You have also recovered from your sleep deprivation to truly start enjoying your baby’s antics.

These 5 month milestones will be more about your baby’s exploration of the world. Your mini-me is ready to learn. Their inquisitive nature is going to be at the forefront in the 5 month milestones.

So buckle up and get ready to go an adventure with your baby.

What are developmental milestones?

Baby is adjusting to the new surroundings that they have been pushed into suddenly. Therefore, they are very cranky and fussy. But by the time they are 5 months old, they seem to be getting used the environment and are now looking to grow and develop quickly so that they can enjoy everything around them.

Developmental milestones is the way you will be able to check your baby’s development easily. It will be anything that the baby has not done before or anything that has not happened to them before.

You can easily observe the 5 month milestones through the sleeping patterns, feeding patterns, their weight and height, communication skills, their personality, etc.

Some of the 5 month milestones include your baby understanding object permanence and cause and effect relationship. They will turn into babble monsters and will want to keep interacting with anybody who wants to listen to their non-stop gibberish. They will also make your hearts melt with those giggles and gurgles. This is truly the best time to play with your baby.

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5 month milestones: baby weight and height/length

Your 5 month old baby is growing at the speed of light. Your baby will grow rapidly during the first few months and double in weight.

When the baby hits their 5 month milestones, they should have doubled their body weight as compared to their birth weight. Some babies can be a little ahead also and be a pound or two more than the double benchmark and some may be a pound or two lesser than the double benchmark. It is completely fine and you don’t need to worry about it.

On an average babies gain about 1–2 pounds (0.5 -1 kg) every month and add about 0.8 inches to their height/length. Obviously these are averages and your 5 month old baby might not fall into these figures. As long as the doctor is happy with the growth rate of your child, you should not be worried if they deviate from the average to a certain degree.

Babies do grow very quickly during the first year, but when they arrive at the 5^th or 6^th month mark, their growth tends to slow down compared to what it was in the initial months. You will see that your baby took about 4–5 months to double their birth weight, but they will take a year or even a little more to triple their body their birth weight.

So hang in there and enjoy this precious time with your baby.

Again these 5 month milestones should be considered only as a benchmark, where few babies reach quicker while others take some time. If its a twin or a multiple then mostly likely they will take time. There is no hard and fast rule. Its just an average.

5 month milestones: the five senses

Visual

- Your 5 month old baby’s eyesight has improved, but is not 20/20 yet.
- Each passing day their vision is becoming clearer and they can recognize colors, patterns, shapes, etc. easily.
- Your baby’s three-dimensional vision has also improved, giving them a better sense of depth and distance.
- Your baby can follow you and moving objects easily.
- Your baby can find tiny objects now.
- Partially hidden toys and objects are not so hidden from your baby’s eyesight anymore. They can find these hidden things with a little exploring.
- Primary colors especially reds and blues are going to attract your baby the most.
- Your 5 month old can focus on objects further away from them than they could previously.
- Crossing eyes is probably a thing of the past by now.

Touch

- Your 5 month old baby has turned into a grabbing monster.
- They want to grab and pull everything within reach.
- They enjoy different textures and will love soft materials the most.

Smell & Taste

- Your 5 month old baby sense of smell was already very strong and now their focus is more on taste.
- As they hit 5 month milestones, they have turned into grabbing monsters, everything they grab is probably going to end up in their mouth.
- They are trying to learn about their environment through the taste.
- This comes as no surprise that they are depending on taste to explore because the mouth has maximum nerve endings that can help them learn.
- Their tongue has become sensitive in differentiating taste.
- But make sure you keep small objects that can be choking hazards away from your baby.

Hearing

- Your 5 month old baby’s hearing has improved and they have started not just hearing but also listening.
- The name that you have so lovingly chosen for your baby and have been using constantly while speaking and singing to them is finally registering in their brain.
- They may have started turning their heads in response to their name being called.
- Your 5 month old baby has also started recognizing the tone of your voice.
- They will respond to sounds by turning their head from where the sound came.
- A big 5 month milestone is that they can understand certain words now like NO, YES, CLAP, NAP, DADA, MAMA, etc.

5 month milestones: all other significant changes to look forward to

Another sign of 5 month milestones is that this month onwards your baby will be able to roll over both ways, i.e. is from tummy to back and then back to tummy.
They will even try to reach places by just rolling over.
Another 5 month milestone is that once they learn how to roll over, they will rock their legs more frequently. This looks damn cute, but they are also working those muscles to start crawling soon.
A 5 month old baby can sit comfortably with support without toppling over, but not all babies do it in this month.
They can easily bear their weight on their legs when you hold them upright on a flat surface, but only for a brief period.
They can grab objects and hold it with much better as their hand muscles have become stronger.

A 5 month old baby can also transfer objects from one hand to the other quite easily.
There grasp is now strong enough for them to hold their bottle or sippy cup without your assistance. They are becoming more independent already!!!
Due to adequate tummy time, your baby can support their head easily and can hold it in position.
Your 5 month old baby has also turned into a baby seal as they can now prop up on their elbows and even hands from their stomach.
They will also try and reach for objects that are in their vicinity.
Your baby is probably chewing on their hands and fingers.
They have also understood the concept of cause and effect.
Your 5 month old baby will start experimenting now and see what happens when they throw their toys down, splash water, press a button, kick their legs, etc. They are trying to find the reaction of each cause.
AS they hit 5 month milestones, they might enjoy seeing you pick up the thrown toy so much that they will keep repeating the experiment. Don’t get frustrated; amuse them as long as you can by giving them the reaction they are looking for and you will see them grinning from ear to ear.
They will smile when they see you and other familiar faces.
They will enjoy playing any kind of games, especially peek-a-boo because they have just understood object permanence.
Your 5 month old baby has understood that you have not disappeared just because they cannot see you. They have understood you are permanent.
As they reach 5 month milestones, they will mimic your facial expressions like frowning, smiling, laughing, etc.
Their babble has gone to a different level this month. They will speak constantly and loudly to get your attention.
Your 5 month old baby has also started expressing themselves by crying differently when they are bored, sleepy, hungry, etc. Pay attention and you will be able to differentiate among their cries and understand what they need.
They will smile when you show some form of affection.
Your 5 month old will start holding their hands up when they want you to pick them up.
Your baby is also ticklish now, so you can be ready for some amazingly cute laughs and chuckles.
Your baby will also be fascinated to see themselves in the mirror. There reflection is their favorite playmate right now.

These are the significant developments that you will observe when they cross 5 month milestones.

When to Be Concerned?

As new parents, it is very easy to go overboard in monitoring your baby’s growth and progress. This monitoring and tracking can bring unnecessary stress if you see your baby’s growth deviating from the average.

Your baby’s growth deviations may cause you to worry and conclude that there is something wrong with your baby. But just because your baby has not reached a few 5 month milestones, you think that there is reason to be concerned.

But there are a few things that you should discuss with your doctor to help them understand and monitor your baby’s progress.

Contact your pediatrician:

If your baby crosses their eyes frequently or for long periods.
If your baby has gained anything less than 50% of their body weight compared to their birth weight
If your baby is unable to hold their head up
If your baby is unable to grab things and bring them to their mouth
If your baby does not respond to sounds and turn their to the general direction of the sound
If your baby is unable to follow moving people or objects
If your baby is not smiling yet
If your baby shows no affection towards you or your partner
If your baby does not babble or try to talk
If your baby reaches for objects with only one particular hand all the time
If your baby tends to cry a lot at night or does not laugh at all

5 month milestones—your 5 month old baby’s feeding pattern

One of the major 5 month milestones can be the introduction of solid food for your baby. Although it is recommended that you start solid food only after the baby turns 6 months old, some babies are just ready for solid food earlier than others.

Your 5 month old baby will show signs that they are ready for solid food. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended to introduce solid food to your 5 month old baby if they show the following signs:

Your baby has gained double their birth weight
Your baby keeps opening their mouth whenever food is nearby
Your baby is able to sit with support comfortably without toppling over
Your baby can hold their head up
Your baby is able to move food into their mouth with the help of a spoon
Your baby tends to stare at you and others while they eat and tries to reach for a spoon to eat as well.

If your baby shows the above signs you can introduce solids. One of the best way is to make your own fresh and nutritious baby food. This is convenient and pocket friendly. There are great baby food options in the market as well if you are not inclined to make your own baby food.

Start with just a tablespoon of whole grain cereals (like oats, barley, rice, brown rice, etc.), squashed vegetables (like peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.), or squashed fruits (like banana, peaches, pear, etc.) mixed with 4–5 tablespoons of formula or breast milk not more than 1 or 2 times a day.

You can gradually increase the number of tablespoons as your baby gets used to solid food after consulting the baby’s pediatrician.

While introducing solids to your 5 month old baby, you have to remember this is just so that they start getting used to solid food and gain some experience; their main source of nutrition will still be breast milk or formula.

Your 5 month old baby will still need 24–36 ounces of breast milk or formula which is spread over 5–6 feeds each day.

NOTE: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months. When you add solid foods to your baby’s diet, continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months. You can continue to breastfeed after 12 months if you and your baby want to. Check with your child’s doctor about the recommendations for vitamin D and iron supplements during the first year.

5 month milestones—your 5 month old baby’s sleeping pattern

A 5 month old baby needs about 12 to 16 hours of sleep every day. This can be bifurcated into 2–3 naps of about 30–120 minutes each during the day and a long stretch of 8–9 hours of sleep during the night.

Some babies are natural like cats in their napping habits and will take naps frequently but for shorter durations, while some other babies prefer fewer naps of longer stretches.

Your 5 month old baby will sleep through a long stretch of 8–9 hours at night without much interruption. If you are lucky enough, by this month they will not need feeding breaks in the middle of the night.

To establish a regular sleep rhythm, you can start by following a set bedtime routine. A warm bath with a relaxing massage, followed by a bedtime song or story, gentle rocking, etc. will get your baby’s eyes droopy in no time.

Try and get into the habit of placing your baby in the crib when they appear drowsy rather than waiting for them to be fully asleep. This will help them learn how to self soothe and sleep without relying on you.

5 month milestones—your 5 month old baby’s health

As your 5 month old baby continues growing and developing physically as well as behaviorally, every tiny change in them will make you wonder whether this is a symptom for something and whether it is normal. We are listing a few of the common health problems that 5 month old babies might face:

Colds

Many babies suffer from cold in the first few months after birth. Cold is also called the upper respiratory infection and is caused by a virus. It is very common (hence, the name common cold) and contagious. Your 5 month old baby can also have a runny nose with yellow or green discharge. Having colds is very normal in babies and will go away with some home remedies and lots of care. But if you baby’s cold lasts for more than 10 days, consult your pediatrician.

Vomiting

One of the best things to feed your baby is breast milk, and if your baby has a stomach bug, feeding breast milk is even better. If your baby is vomiting and you have been feeding them formula, consider switching to breast milk. Breast milk is more easily digestible during illness as compared to formula or other replacement drinks. You can also try shortening the nursing sessions and then see if the baby can keep the milk down. If the baby throws up everything they have eaten in 24 hours, then visit a doctor immediately.

Fever

If your baby has a fever higher than 101°F after 5 months of age, you should seek medical attention. Having a fever usually means that your baby is fighting some infection. Fever can be an indication of common cold, ear infections, or even pneumonia. So it is best that you consult a doctor if your baby has a fever.

Teething

5 month old babies don’t usually teeth, but as the age range for teething is quite wide, it is possible. It is more common for the baby to start teething when they are 6 months old or more. But there have been instances where even 5 month old babies have experienced teeth eruption. If your baby starts crying more than usual, drooling, refusing to nurse, and massaging their gums helps pacify them, then your baby might be teething. The said are just few signs of teething. Consult your doctor to be sure. For more information on teething refer to our article on Baby Teeth Chart.

Diaper rash

Those pesky diaper rashes are unavoidable. At some point all babies get it. Diaper rash will clear up in a couple of days with the help of rash creams. Diaper rashes can be prevented by using diapers that are made from natural materials – biodegradable materials like cotton, changing the diaper frequently so that the wetness does on last long on your baby’s skin, making sure the baby gets enough time without a diaper to ensure air circulation, upgrading the diaper sizes when the baby grows, etc. You could also try some really effective home remedies on diaper rash like – Coconut oil, Corn Starch, Baking Soda etc..

For more information on this topic visit:

You can also apply diaper rash cream when you are travelling to avoid diapers rashes from appearing. But if the rashes are not clearing up in a couple of days and appear bright red, it could also be a fungal infection, which can be cleared with the help of anti-fungal cream. Keep your doctor posted if the rashes are persistent.

Constipation

If your baby is constipated, their poop will almost be like hard balls and their belly will feel hard and rigid. Consult a doctor immediately to relieve the baby.

Diarrhea

If your 5 month old baby’s poop is more watery and runny, then they might be suffering from diarrhea. Consult your doctor immediately.

Heat rash

A hot and humid climate can affect your baby and heat rashes may appear on the arms, legs, neck, or the diaper area. There is no need to apply any special creams or ointments. Try using cool water to clean the skin and then dry completely. Dress the baby up in dry and cotton clothing and keep them out of heat. Heat rash will typically go away in a couple of days. Contact your pediatrician if the rashes are persistent.

Eczema

If the crooks of the elbow and knees show red, itchy, and scaly patches, then your baby probably has eczema. Your pediatrician will diagnose the condition and provide treatment options. Avoid strong scented baby soaps and other baby products. Ensure that the clothes your baby wears are washed with mild detergents and are not prickly. Bathing the baby not more than 3 times in a week is preferable.

Allergies

Your 5 month old may also have some allergies or sensitivity that haven’t been diagnosed yet. If your baby is excessively fussy, vomits after every feed, the poop is very watery, bloody stools, rashes on the body, etc., then these could be signs that your baby is allergic to something. Consult your doctor to find the allergen that is affecting your baby and the corresponding treatment plans.

5 month milestones—checklist and tips for your 5 month old baby

Morning times are the best to play and engage with your baby as they will be the most active at that time.
Your 5 month old baby will learn about the world from the ground up, so you need to join them on the ground, literally. Get on that floor next to your baby during tummy time and show them how to roll over, crawl, squiggle, etc. As they are turning into amateur mimicry artists, they will try and copy you.
As they are learning to identify words and differentiate between sounds and tones, playing music for them is a very good hearing exercise. It does not need to be baby music only, anything with a good beat (and without offensive lyrics) will do the trick.
As an adult we need some time out to relax. Babies are no different. They are being stimulated by so much of new information, sounds, skills, etc. that their minds are working on overdrive most of the time. They need the rest and relax so that they can start learning again. So never make them stay awake if they are sleepy. A warm bath and massage can really help their tiny bodies recover from the fatigue.
If you missed the 4 month check up with the pediatrician, this is the month you can catch up. It is very important as during the 4 month check up your child is given the second dose of the immunizations.
If you were on track by visiting your doctor at the 4-month mark, you can relax as the next visit will only be scheduled when the baby turns 6 months old.
As baby touches 5 month milestones they get into the habit of tasting everything that comes their way, you need to pay special attention to the cleanliness. Making sure all their toys are cleaned and sanitized is a good idea, especially during these COVID-19 times.
Using natural material based cleaning products should be preferred over the chemical-filled cleaning agents.
You can just look at the label to find products that are natural or plant based, without artificial fragrances, environmentally friendly, chlorine-free, ammonia-free (basically chemical-free), hypoallergenic, biodegradable, cruelty-free, etc.
These kind of products will ensure that your baby remains safe but in a gentle and natural way.
Your 5 month old baby has turned into a sponge and is trying to soak up every ounce of information that is thrown their way.
Encourage this learning process by taking your baby on frequent walks. Let them meet new people, read different books to them, play new and engaging games, listen to different genres of music (again, without any offensive lyrics), etc. The more you engage with them the more they will learn.
As babies reach 5 month milestones they may babble, you can talk back and try and hold a conversation with them. You both will not understand each other, but your baby will learn what it’s like to hold a conversation with someone.
Daily tummy time is a must to further strengthen their body muscles so that they can eventually start crawling, walking, and running.
If you haven’t already, then this is a good time to start baby proofing your home.
Your 5 month old baby is in love with those primary colors, so giving them toys that are colorful and make any kind of sound will become your child’s instant favorite.
Singing nursery rhymes with actions will keep them entertained for sure, but these rhymes will also help them associate the words with the action. So it is a good learning technique.

Final thoughts

You are getting closer to that half-year mark and it might feel surreal that your baby is almost half a year old so soon. But time does fly.

Just compare your 5 month old baby to your 2 or 3 month old baby, and you will realize just how much your baby has changed. These 5 month milestones are just another step in this epic journey of your child growing and becoming a wonderful human being.

If you are going back to work and are under a lot stress or are undergoing postpartum depression, try and seek help from your partner, family, and friends to help you so that you can take better care of yourself and the baby. It does take a village, right.

Always remember that even if your baby has not reached these 5 month milestones, they sooner or later will. Overly stressing about these 5 month milestones will not help anybody.

If you have any concern about your child’s health and growth, consult your pediatrician to keep your mind at ease.

Most important of all, take lots of pictures. This is the best time to immortalize your little one in the digital world with pictures. Happy clicking!!!

Khushboo Kirale

Hi, I am Khushboo Kirale-Thakker, a marketing specialist turned homemaker and mom of four (1 elder daughter and triplets—all boys). Me and my husband started this blog to help other parents like you with some first-hand experiences and insights on managing twins, triplets and kids in general. My journey has included experimenting with different baby products from around the world, transitioning from a high-flying job to a full-time mom, tackling pregnancy complications, trying home remedies, etc. Feel free to connect with me through this blog on any queries you have.