Developmental milestones record - 6 months
This article describes the skills and growth targets for 6-month-old infants.
Information
Physical and motor skill markers:
- Able to hold almost all weight when supported in a standing position
- Able to transfer objects from one hand to the other
- Able to lift chest and head while on stomach, holding the weight on hands (often occurs by 4 months)
- Able to pick up a dropped object
- Able to roll from back to stomach
- Able to sit in a high chair with a straight back
- Able to sit on the floor with lower back support
- Beginning of teething
- Increased drooling
- Should be able to sleep 6 - 8 hour stretches at night
- Should have doubled birth weight (birth weight often doubles by 4 months, and it would be cause for concern if this hasn't happened by 6 months)
Sensory and cognitive markers:
- Begins to fear strangers
- Begins to imitate actions
- Begins to realize that if an object is dropped, it is still there and just needs to be picked up
- Can locate sounds not made directly at the ear level
- Enjoys hearing own voice
- Makes sounds (vocalizes) to mirror and toys
- Makes sounds resembling one-syllable words (example: da-da, ba-ba)
- Prefers more complex sounds
- Recognizes parents
- Starts to imitate sounds
- Vision is between 20/60 and 20/40
Play recommendations:
- Read, sing, and talk to your child
- Imitate words such as "mama" to help baby learn language
- Play peek-a-boo
- Provide an unbreakable mirror
- Provide large, bright-colored toys that make noise or have moving parts (avoid toys with small parts)
- Provide paper to tear
- Speak clearly
- Start naming parts of the body and the environment
- Use body movements and actions to teach language
- Use the word "no" infrequently
Alternative Names
Normal childhood growth milestones - 6 months; Childhood growth milestones - 6 months; Growth milestones for children - 6 months
References
Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 8.
Update Date: 1/26/2010
Updated by: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CPNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
MedlinePlus Topics
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.
