6-Month-Old Baby: Development Milestones, Skills, and Key Insights

Congratulations! You've reached a significant milestone in your baby's life – 6 months old. While half a year may seem brief to adults, for your little one, it's a pivotal period. Over these months, your baby has learned a lot: beginning to communicate, rolling over, sitting up, and eating solid foods. But what else should a 6-month-old be able to do?

During the first months, your baby typically gained around 1.3 to 2 pounds (600-900 grams) each month. By 6 months, your child should weigh about twice their birth weight, gaining approximately 0.9 pounds (400 grams) monthly at this stage. Growth in length slows slightly to about 0.5 inches (1.2 centimeters) per month.

If your baby started crawling on all fours by five months, by six months they are likely beginning to sit up independently. Initially, they might use their hands for support, but soon they’ll sit unsupported, enjoying the wider view and increased interaction opportunities this posture offers.

By six months, most babies can roll from back to tummy and vice versa. Some even use this rolling motion to move around the floor. While many babies initially move backward by pushing with their hands, this is a natural phase as they develop muscle strength. Within a few weeks, your baby will likely crawl in all directions with impressive agility.

6-Month Baby Development: Sleep Like an Adult

At six months, many babies can sleep through the night, sometimes for up to eight hours straight. For parents whose babies still struggle with falling asleep, pediatrician Dr. Richard Ferber’s method is often recommended.

The Ferber method involves placing your baby in the crib while still awake. If your baby cries, you wait for a set period before comforting them, gradually increasing the waiting time each night by two to three minutes.

While this approach may not suit every child or parent, it’s generally harmless and helps babies learn to self-soothe and fall asleep independently.

Now that your baby can roll over, don’t worry if you find them sleeping in a different position than you placed them. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) drastically decreases by six months. However, it’s still best to keep the crib free of soft toys, pillows, and similar items during sleep.

Eye Color: Final Changes

By six months, you may notice your baby’s eye color has changed from birth. Light eyes often darken during this period. If your baby still has bright blue eyes, there’s a strong chance they will remain that way permanently.

• Explore: Eye Color and Personality Traits

Diet and Nutrition: What Should a 6-Month-Old Eat?

If you haven’t started introducing solid foods by six months, your pediatrician will likely advise you to begin. Iron-fortified cereals mixed with breast milk or formula are common starters, along with specially formulated baby yogurts and kefir.

Once your baby adjusts to these, introduce pureed fruits and vegetables one at a time, waiting several days between new foods to monitor for allergies. Common allergy signs include nausea, diarrhea, and skin rashes.

If no allergic reactions appear within 48 hours, the food is generally safe to continue.

Most doctors agree that eggs and fish rarely cause allergies in six-month-old babies. However, honey should be avoided until after the first year due to the risk of botulism. Also, avoid cow’s milk until your baby turns one, though dairy-based baby products like yogurt and cheese are acceptable.

If your baby initially rejects a new food, wait two to three days and try again. At this stage, babies’ tastes can vary day by day.

Communication Skills of a 6-Month-Old

To encourage your six-month-old who smiles, laughs, and babbles, read stories and tell tales frequently throughout the day. This helps build early communication skills.

Babies recognize familiar people and objects at this age and feel secure around parents, grandparents, and favorite toys. Six months is an ideal time to introduce educational toys and games that stimulate development.

Summary: What a 6-Month-Old Can Do

Here’s a concise list of typical abilities for a six-month-old:

• Rolls from back to tummy and vice versa;
• Shows readiness to crawl by pulling up on hands and pushing backward while lying on the stomach;
• Sits for short periods with or without support;
• Attempts to stand by holding onto crib rails;
• Grasps toys with both hands and enjoys playing while sitting;
• Loves dropping objects and watching them fall;
• Babbling actively, producing sounds and syllables;
• Responds to their name and recognizes some objects by name.

Parenting Styles Around the World: Tiger Moms and Baby Emperors

Key Care Tips for Your 6-Month-Old

First, monitor your baby’s skin closely. Introducing solid foods often reflects immediately on skin condition. Any rash or redness signals a need to reduce or pause new foods for 10-20 days.

Additionally, gymnastics exercises and gentle massages are highly beneficial as your baby’s physical activity increases daily, strengthening muscles and joints.

Finally, communication is vital. As your baby becomes more aware and interactive, talking and engaging with them is not only helpful but deeply rewarding.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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