What to Expect: Months 4-6
 
Month 4
Most babies should be able to . . .
- Hold up head at 90 degree angle while on stomach 
- Bear weight on both legs 
- Goo and coo when you talk 
- Laugh and smile

Some babies will probably be able to . . .
- Grasp a rattle or toy 
- Pay attention to small object held in front of his or her face 
- Roll over 
- Reach out for objects 
- Do small mini push ups

Some babies could possibly be able to . . .
- Turn in direction of familiar voices 
- Hold head level with body when pulled to sit 
- Sit without support 
- Make a razzing sound 
- Get upset if you take a toy away 
  
Month 5
Most babies should be able to . . .
- Roll over 
- Do small mini push ups 
- Pay attention to small objects held in front of his or her face 
- Reach out for objects 
- Grasp a rattle or toy

Some babies will probably be able to . . .
- Hold head level with body when pulled to sit 
- Make razzing sound 
- Turn to new sounds 
- Recognize own name

Some babies could possibly be able to . . .
- Get upset if you take a toy away 
- Pass object from one hand to the other 
- Pull up to standing position from sitting 
- Try to get toy or object that is out of reach 
- Sit momentarily without support 
- Repeat sounds like ma-ma-ma-ma or da-da-da-da 
- Separation and stranger anxiety may begin 
  
Month 6
Most babies should be able to . . .
- Keep head level when pulled to sitting position 
- Sit momentarily with minimal support 
- Roll back in forth in both directions 
- Imitate sound and facial expressions 
- Reach for and grabs objects and toys

Some babies will probably be able to . . .
- Sit without support 
- Feed self a cracker 
- Get upset if you take a toy away 
- Pull up to standing position from sitting 
- Work at getting a toy that is out of reach 
- Repeat sounds like ma-ma-ma-ma or da-da-da-da

Some babies could possibly be able to . . .
- Start crawling 
- Get into a sitting position from stomach 
- Say mama or dada 
- Pick up small objects with fingers 
- Babble and combine two syllable sounds 
- Separation and stranger anxiety may begin 


(Back to Milestones)


Please note that these are only general developmental guidelines for an average healthy child. A healthy child may reach a developmental milestone earlier or later than the average shown in these guidelines. Each child develops differently and just because a child may appear to be behind in one developmental area does not mean there is something wrong. If you feel your child is behind in several areas of development, contact your pediatrician for advice.