This document provides information about infant development between 4-6 months of age. It discusses common milestones like beginning to sit with support, rolling over, grabbing objects, and making sounds like cooing and babbling. The document recommends that parents repeat sounds, laugh, talk, and show pictures to encourage language development and emotional bonding during this stage.

1. My Child
4-6 months

2. It is very
exciting for
parents to watch their
babies become social beings
that can interact with
others. The baby begins to
interact with persons
other than parents as
his or her awareness of
surrounding
environment and people
increases. While babies
may grow and develop
different skills at
different rates, the
following are some of
the common
milestones in this age
group.
Weight
Length
Head
Circumference
Average
growth of
about ½
inch each
month.
Average
growth of ½
to 1 inch
each month.

3. Activities
Speech
Understanding

4. Activities
• Start balancing head well.
• Reflexive behaviors start changing
• Blinking reflex is well established
•Sucking reflex becomes voluntary.
•Swallowing reflex appears and allows infant to move solid foods from front of mouth to
the back for swallowing.
•Sits with support.
•Begins to support body with legs when held in standing position
•Rolls over one way, usually from stomach to back.
•Moves object from one hand to other
•Grabs feet and toes when lying on back
•Makes "swimming" motions with arms and legs when placed on abdomen
•Naps two to three times a day, for one to three hours each (on average)
•Begins to sleep longer at night
•Has full color vision, able to see at longer distances
•May accidentally begin scooting backwards when placed on stomach; soon will
begin to crawl forward
• Plays a Peek -a -boo game.

5. Speech
• Coos and gurgles when talked to, or in response to toys
• Babbles, imitates sounds
• By 6 months, makes single syllable sounds (da, ma, ba)
• Laughs
• Squeal
• Blows bubbles.

6. Understanding
• Recognises familiar things and people
• May hold out arms to be picked up
• May show displeasure when object or person
goes away
• Responds to his or her own name
• Understands “no"
• Begins to understand cause and effect (the
sound a toy makes when it is dropped)

7. Dr. Peddi’s tips for
your baby's
development and
emotional security
• Repeat sounds and smile when your baby makes
sounds.
• Laugh with your baby.
• Talk to and imitate your baby during feeding,
dressing, changing diapers, and bath time.
• Show your baby bright picture books and
interesting objects.
• Show your baby his or her reflection in a
mirror.
• Encourage laughing and play by making funny
faces or sounds or blowing on baby's belly and
laughing.
• Play peek-a-boo games to help develop object permanence, the
understanding that objects are still present even though they cannot
be se
• Dance with your baby and do other rhythmic movements.
• Introduce your baby to other children.
• Place safe toys near your baby to encourage reaching and grasping.
• Read books and stories to your baby, and point out pictures.
• Take your baby outside to different places to see new things and people.
• Hold and cuddle a lot when the baby is awake or unhappy