6 months

Your baby is learning to…

• Search for a toy they have dropped
• Show a definite preference for familiar people
• Stretch out their arms to be picked up
• Begin to stabilise self when sitting supported
• Begin making noises using consonants ‘ma’, ‘ba’, ‘da’
• Roll and move around on the floor
• Hold their own bottle and drink from a cup with assistance

Looking For My Toys

Baby starts to search for a toy that they have dropped. You may find that the toy-return becomes a game, where baby will have a toy returned to them, then drop it again for you to retrieve. You will get tired of this game much faster than baby!

People I Know

It is a good time for your baby to have short periods being looked after by someone else where possible. You may find that baby becomes upset when they are given to people they do not know well. Repetition is the only way that you can overcome this through getting baby used to being with other people. Generally speaking, the earlier your start the better for all involved.

Pick Me Up

Your baby may begin holding out their arms to be picked up. Stimulate this response by asking your baby if they would like to be picked up, then stretching out your arms towards them. Your baby will begin to stretch out their arms in return to be lifted.

Sitting Up

Offer your baby opportunities throughout the day to sit whilst supported by you, or by pillows and cushions placed at their lower back (and to the sides for leaning) to help strengthen their muscles.

Baby Talk

Continue talking to your baby during the day to help stimulate their language development. Baby will respond through babbling, laughing and chuckling. A good way to help stimulate your baby to talk is through offering them a variety of language examples. This would include reading and singing to your baby, or putting on a children’s music CD.

Rolling Around

Giving your baby time to roll on their play mat will assist them in developing this skill. Make sure the area is clear and free of unnecessary clutter to maximise baby’s space and movement opportunities. Baby may now be starting to move around the room, generally backwards by pushing themselves with their hands and feet. Make sure that your baby cannot fall or be injured through moving around the house. You may start to find baby stuck in some interesting places (under the TV unit or up against the wall), so make sure you do not go too far away.

Holding My Cup and Bottle

By now your baby may be showing signs of wanting to hold their own cup or bottle.  Babies like to pat or help hold their bottle during feeding time.  Give your baby opportunities to hold their cup or bottle to develop their fine motor skills.  Remember, babies should never be left alone to feed themselves their bottle.  Feeding time is a wonderful time to bond with your child whilst you are both relaxed.

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