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Developmental milestones record - 6 months

Definition

This article describes the skills and growth targets for 6-month-old infants.

Alternative Names

Normal childhood growth milestones - 6 months; Childhood growth milestones - 6 months; Growth milestones for children - 6 months

Information

Physical and motor skill markers:

  • Able to hold almost all weight when supported in a standing position
  • Able to transfer objects from one hand to the other
  • Able to lift chest and head while on stomach, holding the weight on hands (often occurs by 4 months)
  • Able to pick up a dropped object
  • Able to roll from back to stomach
  • Able to sit in a high chair with a straight back
  • Able to sit on the floor with lower back support
  • Beginning of teething
  • Increased drooling
  • Should be able to sleep 6 - 8 hour stretches at night
  • Should have doubled birth weight (birth weight often doubles by 4 months, and it would be cause for concern if this hasn't happened by 6 months)

Sensory and cognitive markers:

  • Begins to fear strangers
  • Begins to imitate actions
  • Begins to realize that if an object is dropped, it is still there and just needs to be picked up
  • Can locate sounds not made directly at the ear level
  • Enjoys hearing own voice
  • Makes sounds (vocalizes) to mirror and toys
  • Makes sounds resembling one-syllable words (example: da-da, ba-ba)
  • Prefers more complex sounds
  • Recognizes parents
  • Starts to imitate sounds
  • Vision is between 20/60 and 20/40

Play recommendations:

  • Read, sing, and talk to your child
  • Imitate words such as "mama" to help baby learn language
  • Play peek-a-boo
  • Provide an unbreakable mirror
  • Provide large, bright-colored toys that make noise or have moving parts (avoid toys with small parts)
  • Provide paper to tear
  • Speak clearly
  • Start naming parts of the body and the environment
  • Use body movements and actions to teach language
  • Use the word "no" infrequently

References

Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 8.

Review Date: 1/26/2010
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CPNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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