Postnatal
Month 4
Baby Steps: Growth & Development
Your baby coos back when you talk to them and holds his/her head pretty steadily. Your baby is also starting to put weight on his/her legs. Some babies this age start grasping for their toys, reaching out for other objects and rolling over. A few who are more advanced may try to imitate speech sounds, cut their first teeth and be ready for solid foods.7
Your baby may be intrigued by other children, and you may see him/her turn toward children's voices in person or on television. They laugh when tickled and when they're interacting with others, and he/she may cry when something disrupts their play.7
Doing Everything Right: Tips for New Moms
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Your baby can probably pick things up now, and naturally, the first place he/she'll put them is in their mouth. Now's a good time to put valuables and small objects he/she could choke on out of their reach.13
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Most babies' first teeth appear between four and seven months of age. A month or two before the first one is visible, your baby may drool heavily or have fuller cheeks from swollen gums. If he/she seems bothered by it, give them a teething ring you keep in the refrigerator or cold foods such as applesauce or yogurt.14
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Even 10-minute bursts of exercise can rev up your energy level, which is good for you and your baby. Trying walking or hiking with your baby in a carrier or backpack, or put him/her in the stroller and walk around the neighborhood. Enlist your partner to watch him/her for a half hour so you can go to the gym or for a walk to get some well deserved time to yourself. Don't forget to drink extra water before, during and after exercise to make up for the fluid you may lose by sweating.15
Postnatal
Month 5
Baby Steps: Growth & Development
You're enjoying your baby more than ever as they amuse themselves by playing with his/her hands and feet and rolling over. He/she can distinguish between some bold colors now, and he/she may often turn toward new sounds. About half the babies this age recognize their own names, and if he/she's really progressing, they may be able to sit up by themselves for a short time.3
Changes are taking place in your baby's behavior too. He/she's becoming more and more assertive, and they seem to be able to tell the difference between family members and strangers. He/she may also like to play during meals.7
Doing Everything Right: Tips for New Moms
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Even if your baby can hold his/her own bottle, keep using mealtime to cuddle, hold and nurture him/her. The day will come all too soon when he/she'll be too independent for your snuggles.
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Your baby is catching on to where sounds come from. Use your keys or wind chimes to get his/her attention, and notice how he/she tries to imitate your inflections and sounds when you talk.
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If your baby was premature, he/she may need more time to do the things other babies their age are doing. Don't be concerned, though. Your doctor is probably assessing his/her development based on the time he/she should have been born so you'll know if there are any reasons to worry.16
Postnatal
Month 6
Baby Steps: Growth & Development
Your baby is now turning toward sounds and voices, and may be trying to imitate the sounds he/she hears. They're blowing bubbles and can roll in both directions. A lot of babies this age can reach for objects and mouth them, and sit up without support. Many are also ready to try solid foods. More mature babies may start lunging forward or actually crawling, jabbering and combining syllables.3
You're now starting to see more visible signs of your baby's temperament, or whether he/she tends to be easygoing or easily upset, gentle or active, etc. He/she may get tired of a toy or other object, but they never get tired of your attention.7
Doing Everything Right: Tips for New Moms
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading aloud to your baby every day starting this month. Reading not only lets you cuddle and socialize with him/her, it helps improve their language skills and introduces him/her to the joy of books.19
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Give baby lots of safe things that will stimulate his/her senses, such as a chilled teething ring, a furry stuffed animal with a bell or rattle inside, or a soft rubber ball.
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Your baby's probably able to roll in both directions now, so always keep a hand on her when you're changing her diapers, and never leave her alone on a bed, changing table or other elevated surface.18
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You know how important it is to drink plenty of water every day. If you drink from a water bottle, be sure to clean or replace it often to reduce bacteria. If your bottle is reusable, wash it in hot, soapy water or run it through the dishwasher before you refill it each day.15
Nursery
Nursery