The 05th Month

What your little one may be doing now:

By the fifth month your baby should be able to raise chest supported by arms while lying on its stomach, hold head steady when held upright, pay attention to a small object and reach out for the same, try and grasp a rattle with fingers or tip of fingers, squeal in delight, smile on its own and smile back when you smile, keep head level with body when held in a sitting position.

Many babies may be able to try and roll over to one side, be able to bear some weight on their legs when held upright, make noises that are vowel-consonant, turn in the direction of a voice other than that of mummy and papa.

Some babies can also sit without any support.

A few, but not all, babies may be able to stand on their own holding on to someone or something, try and get a toy that is out of reach, pull up to standing position from sitting, look for an object that has fallen down, pass a toy or some object from one hand to another, try and grasp an object and pick it up in the fist, babble and make different sounds like ma-ma da-da pa-pa ba-ba.

Note:
It is important to note here that not all babies will reach these milestones at the exact same age. One baby might learn something at one month of age, another might learn the same at three months of age. This does in no way imply a lack of intelligence or development on the part of your little one.

Remember, each baby is special in its own way and need their own time to adjust to situations and to learn new things. Do not panic if your baby is not doing what your friend's same-age baby is doing already. Keep an eye on your child and note their daily movements. Sometimes, these activities will be so short in their time span that you may have a chance of not noticing at all, unless you keep paying constant attention. However, if there is constant and marked delay in all of baby's responses, do consult baby's doctor about the same and discuss anything that is on your mind.

Let your baby get all your love and attention. The complete care and love of parents goes a long way in baby's development.