Important Milestones: Your Baby By Six MonthsCDC’s milestones and parent tips have been updated and new checklist ages have been added (15 and 30 months). Due to COVID-19, updated photos and videos have been delayed but will be added back to this page in the future. For more information about the recent updates to CDC’s developmental milestones, please review the
Pediatrics journal article and these important key points. How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about
your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 6 months by completing a checklist with CDC’s free Milestone Tracker mobile app, for iOS and Android devices, using the Digital Online Checklist, or by
printing the checklist [755 KB, 2 Pages, Print Only] below. “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools. What
most babies do by this age: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 he
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 himself when sitting
Other important things to 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?
Concerned About Your Child’s Development?
Act Early.
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. If you or the doctor are still concerned: - Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
- Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI.
For more on how to help your child, visit
cdc.gov/Concerned. As your baby’s first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities
in a safe way. Talk with your baby’s doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your baby’s development. - Use “back and forth” play with your baby. When your baby smiles, you smile; when he makes sounds, you copy them. This helps him learn to be social.
- “Read” to your baby every day by looking at colorful pictures in magazines or books and talk about them. Respond to her when she babbles and “reads” too. For example, if she makes sounds, say
“Yes, that’s the doggy!”
- Point out new things to your baby and name them. For example, when on a walk, point out cars, trees, and animals.
Click here for more tips and activities - Sing to your baby and play music. This will help his brain develop.
- Limit screen
time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to video calling with loved ones. Screen time is not recommended for children younger than 2 years of age. Babies learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.
- When your baby looks at something, point to it and talk about it.
- Put your baby on her tummy or back and put toys just out of reach. Encourage her to roll over to reach the toys.
- Learn to read your baby’s moods. If he’s happy, keep doing what you are doing. If he’s upset,
take a break and comfort your baby.
- Talk with your baby’s doctor about when to start solid foods and what foods are choking risks. Breast milk or formula is still the most important source of “food” for your baby.
- Learn when your baby is hungry or full. Pointing to foods, opening his mouth to a spoon, or getting excited when seeing food are signs that he is hungry. Others, like pushing food away, closing his mouth, or turning his head away from food tells you that he’s had
enough.
- Help your baby learn she can calm down. Talk softly, hold, rock, or sing to her, or let her suck on her fingers or a pacifier. You may offer a favorite toy or stuffed animal while you hold or rock her.
- Hold your baby up while she sits. Let her look around and give her toys to look at while she learns to balance herself.
- Hold your baby with both of your hands securely under her arms and let her stand. Look around with your baby and name what you can see while she
is standing.
- Introduce your baby to different sounds and voices. For example, whisper, clap, or make funny noises. See if your baby looks or is curious and see which sounds she prefers.
- Playing on the floor or play mat with your baby every day helps him to move, learn, and explore.
- When he drops a toy on the floor, pick it up and give it back. This game helps him learn cause and effect.
Special acknowledgments to the subject matter experts
and others who contributed to the review of data and selection of developmental milestones, especially Paul H. Lipkin, MD, Michelle M. Macias, MD, Julie F. Pajek, PhD, Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, Karnesha Slaughter, MPH, Jane K. Squires, PhD, Toni M. Whitaker, MD, Lisa D. Wiggins, PhD, and Jennifer M. Zubler, MD. Sincere gratitude to Natalia Benza, MD and José O. Rodríguez, MD, MBA for their thoughtful review of the Spanish-language translation of these
milestones.
What skills should an 8 month old have?
Baby development at 8-9 months: what's happening. copy sounds.. make noises to get your attention.. explore everything around them – for example, they might ring bells, bang blocks and find hidden objects.. stop what they're doing when they hear you say 'no'. practise their eating skills by holding, biting and chewing food.. What do infants at age 6 8 months old can do?
Around this age your baby can roll both ways and might start to move around the house by commando crawling. Your baby might even crawl using their hands and knees. If you hold your baby, they might be able to stand and bounce up and down.
What skills should a 6 month old have?
At 6 months, your baby will start using sounds to express emotion. She/he may mimic sounds she/he hears, like "ma,” “da,” “ah,” “oh" and even "no!" Your little one will begin to recognize familiar faces, reach and grasp for toys and will soon be crawling — start preparing your home (and yourself) for a mobile child!
What should an 8 month old child be doing?
At 8 months old, your baby may be already crawling or learning how to crawl, moving from seated to all fours and back again, and pulling themselves up to a standing position. Some ambitious babies may even be "cruising" – attempting to take their first wobbly steps while holding onto furniture.
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