5 Month Old Baby Milestones – What They Are and How to Help Your Baby

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Written by Editorial Team

Editorial Team

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting..

5 Month Old Baby Milestones

Your baby is growing so quickly. Before you realize your munchkin has already turned 5 months old. It seems like just yesterday you were holding your newborn baby in your arms. Babies do grow quickly, and you see a lot of development in various aspects with every passing week. We list the important 5 month old baby milestones.

In the fifth month, babies get stronger and experience growth spurts which can lead to many developments in a short span. Here is what you can anticipate for month 5.

In This Article

Important Milestones You Can Expect From a 5 Month Old Baby
How Can You Help a Baby Reach Their 5 Month Baby Milestones?
Milestones You Can Expect at the End of 5th Month
When Should You Consider Seeing the Doctor?

Important Milestones You Can Expect From a 5 Month Old Baby

Here are a few things you can expect from your baby during this month.

1. Hearing Development

Babies will start paying attention to sounds and words. It is a good time to start reading simple books to them.

2. Vision Development

Your baby can understand colors and will show interest in pictures.

3. Development of Smell

Your baby is close to getting introduced to solids and their sense of smell will start developing accordingly to be able to smell and enjoy new foods.

4. Development of Taste

Along with smell, your baby’s taste buds also start evolving in preparation for accepting solids which will be stated in month 6 for most babies.

5. Development of Touch

Your baby will start enjoying the water and splash around during bath time.

6. Fine Motor Skill Development

A stronger grip enables your baby to hold and shake toys for longer. They can shift items from one hand to the other without dropping it much.

7. Gross Motor Skill Development

Your baby will roll over on one side comfortably and start attempting to roll over on the other side. Some babies may even roll to their back during tummy time.

8. Social Emotional Development

By this period, babies will start communicating with cute sounds and babbling with anyone who communicates with them. They might start crying and looking at some faces.

9. Physical Development

Most babies develop close to complete head control. They stop leaning backwards when carried. Also, they can hold up their limbs for longer and explore their own hands and feet.

10. Movement Milestone

If your baby has mastered rolling over on one side, you might see them do it continuously as a form of movement, to get from one spot to another.

11. Language Development

This is a good time to start teaching them sounds as they will try to mimic the same.

12. Cognitive Skill Development

Babies can start responding to their name and simple commands like taking, saying hi, or bye. They might try to respond in their own ways.

How Can You Help a Baby Reach Their 5 Month Baby Milestones?

Help a Baby Reach Their 5 Month Baby Milestones

Here is what you can do, to help them develop on various fronts

Opt for picture storybooks when you read to them. They will tap the images and enjoy the story.
Sing to them or play songs to improve their sense of sounds.
Take them out on walks and let them watch the birds and trees – to improve their focus and observational skills.

[Read : Top Best Baby Songs to Sing to Your Baby With Videos]

Milestones You Can Expect at the End of 5th Month

5 month baby milestone

At then end of their 5th month, you baby will be able to

Roll over on one side comfortably and attempt the same on the other side.
Show interest in food items.
Respond to familiar faces and sounds
Understand and show emotions.

[Read : Rolling Over in Babies]

When Should You Consider Seeing the Doctor?

You may need to see a pediatrician if your baby

Does not react when you call out to them
Shows no interest in holding and playing with toys
Has not attempted to roll over on any side
Is unable to hold their head up.

Watching your baby attempt rolling over or lifting items can be exciting and at the same time stressful. Ensure they are under close supervision without stopping their various attempts at multiple things.

Editorial Team,

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.

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