6 Month Old Milestones
At 6 months, your baby will:
Play with others!
They become more interactive and may start to play peek-a-boo
Respond to mirrors
Respond to emotions of others, giggle and laugh
Show curiosity about objects and try to reach for objects
Start “talking"
Increase babbling and start to say vowels like “mmaamaaa” or “ddddaadaa”
Make squealing sounds
Take turns talking with you
Pass objects from one hand to the other
Roll! From tummy-to-back with control (reminder, back-to-tummy was at 4.5 months)
Grabs feet when lying on their back
Tummy Time
Spins! When on their tummy, they may pivot/turn around in circles
Pushes up to be on all fours
Contact your provider if your 6 month old:
Is unable to roll or only rolls in one direction
Doesn't lift their legs when lying on their back
Arches backwards or does baby sit-ups
Is rigid/tight or unable to calm
Is floppy or soft and isn't able to support themselves
Tilts their head or only looks on one side
Has a flat spot or asymmetrical head
Doesn't laugh or respond to name
How to Support your 6 month old:
Tummy time! If they are struggling to keep arms and legs up, you may need to gently apply pressure to their shoulders and hips
If you have hardwood floors or slick floors, you may need to put a yoga mat or rug down for more resistance or wear shorts so their skin can contact the ground rather than clothes slide across it
Sing, dance, and read!
Offer different consistencies and textures for baby to explore.
Start slow and offer one food at a time to make sure baby doesn't respond poorly to food (hives, rashes, GI upset, constipation)
Keep things slightly higher than eye level. Going on all fours helps develop the visual system so it's great to have baby look upwards