Your baby at 5 months

Between the CDC's 4-month and 6-month checklists. The 6-month list includes rolling from tummy to back, laughing and reaching for a toy, so give your baby lots of floor time.

There's no CDC checklist for 5 months; the CDC's checklists come at 4 months and 6 months. By 4 months, most babies (75% or more) do things like “Holds a toy when you put it in his hand”. Coming up by 6 months: “Reaches to grab a toy she wants”. Both lists are below, with this month's play, talk and reading ideas.

Checked October 29, 2026.

Already, by 4 months

Social/Emotional Milestones

Smiles on his own to get your attention
Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh
Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

Language/Communication Milestones

Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
Makes sounds back when you talk to him
Turns head towards the sound of your voice

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle
Looks at her hands with interest

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Holds head steady without support when you are holding him
Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
Uses his arm to swing at toys
Brings hands to mouth
Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 4 months, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 4 months. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Coming up, by 6 months

Social/Emotional Milestones

Knows familiar people
Likes to look at self in a mirror
Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones

Takes turns making sounds with you
Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Puts things in her mouth to explore them
Reaches to grab a toy she wants
Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Rolls from tummy to back
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
Leans on hands to support herself when sitting

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 6 months, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 6 months. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

Reach for it
Hold a toy just out of reach in front of your baby and let them stretch for it. Hand it over once they try.
Roll toward the toy
During floor time, put a toy to one side so your baby turns and rolls toward it.
Safety: Play on the floor, never on a bed or sofa, and stay close.
Who's in the mirror?
Hold your baby in front of a mirror and say "Who's that? That's you!" For floor play, use an unbreakable baby mirror.

Things to say

“Almost! You can reach it.”
“Who's that in the mirror?”
“Over you go!”

Say it, then wait. Give your baby time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A rhyme to share

Hickory Dickory Dock. Run your fingers up your baby's arm as the mouse runs up the clock, and tickle on "one".

The words are on Peabody's Nursery rhymes with lyrics list.

Questions parents ask about this age

When do babies smile?By 2 months: Smiles when you talk to or smile at her
When do babies laugh?By 4 months: Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh
When do babies hold their head up?By 2 months: Holds head up when on tummy
When do babies coo?By 4 months: Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
When do babies roll over?By 6 months: Rolls from tummy to back
When do babies sit up?By 9 months: Sits without support
When do babies babble?By 9 months: Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
When do babies get shy with strangers?By 9 months: Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
When do babies recognize their parents?By 2 months: Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her

Talk to your pediatrician if…

Your baby isn't doing the things on the CDC's 4-month list, has lost a skill they once had, or you're worried for any reason. Things on the 6-month list are still coming.

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.
CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early.

If you or the doctor are still concerned, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is younger than 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system.

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

What are some things you and your baby do together?
What are some things your baby likes to do?
Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

From the CDC's Milestones by 6 months page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents