Six-month-old infants actively connect with the world around them. They develop more control over their bodies and their minds. More than ever, it's important to be sure that your baby is developing skills in language and cognition, the social and emotional arenas and control of large and small muscles. Watch for milestones in each of these areas at 6 months and seek professional advice from your doctor if your baby seems to be late in developing these skills.
Physical and Motor Development
Six-month-old babies are gaining strength and control over their bodies. Important physical and motor milestones include rolling, picking up objects and sitting with little support. At this age, babies should be transferring things from one hand to another and putting lots of things in their mouths. Most 6-month-olds put their toes in their mouths when lying on their backs and can help hold a bottle during feeding. They have better control over their eyes as well and should now be tracking movement and watching people by moving their eyes from side to side.
Cognitive Development
At 6 months, babies should be showing interest in their surroundings and trying to reach interesting objects for closer inspection. Babies at this age spend a great deal of time holding items and looking at them closely. With their improved strength and coordination, they can now pick up items intentionally and hang onto them long enough for close inspection with eyes and mouth. Six-month-olds also are beginning to understand that they control their hands and feet.
Language Milestones
Children show lots of beginning language skills at 6 months of age. The cooing sounds commonly made by younger infants should now have consonant sounds added to the open vowel sounds. Babies begin to babble by repeating the same syllables again and again, such as "bababa" or "gagaga." Six-month-olds should be engaging in give-and-take conversations, even though they do not yet use recognizable words. Expect your child to vocalize in response to your questions or comments, then wait for you to say something else. Six-month-old infants also clearly show pleasure or displeasure through the sounds they make.
Social and Emotional Milestones
At 6 months, children laugh and smile when they are pleased, get excited when they see familiar people and often even respond to simple jokes such as having their head covered with a towel or putting the bottle nipple on their forehead instead of in their mouth as expected. Babies at this age use some simple gestures to communicate their desires, such as putting their arms out when they wish to be picked up. Many are fearful of unfamiliar people and may show anxiety when separated from parents or familiar caregivers. Routines and familiar "security" items provide comfort and stability.
