Six-Month-Old Milestones

At six months, your baby is becoming more interactive, mobile, and curious about the world around them! You may notice exciting changes in their social, fine motor, and gross motor skills as they gain confidence and coordination. Below, we’ll explore common six-month milestones and provide easy ways to support your baby’s development.

Social Development

By six months, babies love engaging with people and reacting to their surroundings. They may:

  • Recognize familiar faces and react with big smiles and laughter

  • Babble with a variety of sounds, almost as if they’re having a conversation

  • Respond to their name and show excitement when they see a caregiver

  • Enjoy interactive games like peekaboo and looking in the mirror

How You Can Help

  • Talk and Sing: Narrate your daily activities and sing songs to encourage communication.

  • Play Peekaboo: This classic game helps with social connection and object permanence.

  • Use a Mirror: Babies love looking at faces—including their own! Sit with them in front of a mirror and make silly expressions.

  • Engage in Back-and-Forth “Conversations”: When your baby babbles, respond as if you're having a conversation. This helps build language skills.

Fine Motor Development

At this stage, babies are refining their hand-eye coordination and learning to grasp objects with more control. Common milestones include:

  • Reaching for and grabbing objects with both hands

  • Transferring objects from one hand to the other

  • Bringing toys (and anything else!) to their mouth

  • Starting to rake small objects with their fingers

How You Can Help

  • Offer Easy-to-Grasp Toys: Soft blocks, rattles, and textured teethers encourage exploration.

  • Encourage Two-Handed Play: Give them objects they can pass between hands to build coordination.

  • Provide Different Textures: Let them explore fabrics, plastic cups, and soft rubber toys.

  • Introduce Self-Feeding: Let them hold a spoon during mealtime to practice grip and coordination.

Gross Motor Development

Your baby is getting stronger and more mobile! By six months, you may notice:

  • Rolling over from back to tummy and tummy to back

  • Sitting up with support and possibly sitting unassisted for short periods

  • Pushing up on their hands during tummy time

  • Bouncing when held in a standing position

How You Can Help

  • Encourage Floor Time: Give your baby a safe space to roll, reach, and explore movement.

  • Support Sitting: Place toys just out of reach to encourage balance and stability.

  • Make Tummy Time Fun: Engage with them by placing toys or a mirror in front of them.

  • Let Them Bounce: Hold them upright and let them bounce to build leg strength.

Favorite Toys for Six-Month-Olds

Toys that crinkle with different textures

Tummy Time fun

Toys that grow with baby  

Play Station

Every Baby Develops at Their Own Pace

It’s important to remember that all babies develop differently. Some may reach milestones a little earlier, while others may take more time. If you have concerns about your baby’s progress, talk to your pediatrician or a developmental specialist.

At NEOwell, we’re here to guide you through your baby’s milestones and support you along the way. Follow us for expert-backed parenting tips and NICU support!.

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What is a Newborn Screen? A Parent’s Guide to Your Baby’s First Test

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Four-Month-Old Milestones