Infant (early)
Development in month 5
Development month by month — what your baby is learning now, what to watch, and how to support.
Motor milestones
- ●Rolls both directions
- ●Pushes up on straight arms in tummy position
- ●Grasps with both hands and transfers toys
- ●Sits upright with support
Cognitive milestones
- ●Object permanence begins — looks for partly hidden things
- ●Curious about everything in its environment
- ●Laughs at new, surprising sounds
Social and emotional milestones
- ●Shows clear preference for caregivers
- ●Reacts with crying to strangers
- ●Looks questioning when something unexpected happens
Language milestones
- ●Babbles with varied consonants and vowels
- ●Vocal ‘run-up’ when ‘conversing’
Red flags — when to see the paediatrician?
- ●Does not roll in either direction
- ●No purposeful grasping
- ●No joy in social play
- ●Excessively stiff or floppy muscle tone
Activity ideas
- ✓Peek-a-boo: blanket briefly over face, then off
- ✓Offer sound toys and rattles
- ✓Mirror play with baby on tummy
- ✓Daily tummy time at least 30 min total
Common concerns and tips
From now, many babies show early signs of readiness for solids: interest in parents’ food, sitting supported, loss of tongue-thrust reflex. WHO recommends exclusive breastmilk until 6 months.
Development varies. This information is based on WHO and CDC milestones but does not replace paediatric assessment. If in doubt, consult your paediatrician.
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