Month 6 of 12 · Window 3 · Grabbing everything
Your 6-month-old baby: milestones and what to expect
Six months is a big one: solid foods usually start (signs of readiness matter more than the date), allergens now go in early rather than late, and the CDC 6-month checklist arrives — laughing, reaching, rolling, sitting with support.
Checked against CDC, NHS and AAP guidance · how we fact-check
Most babies do these by 6 months (CDC)
Social & emotional: Knows familiar people · likes looking in the mirror · laughs.
Language & communication: Takes turns making sounds with you · blows raspberries · makes squealing noises.
Movement & thinking: Puts things in mouth to explore · reaches to grab a toy · closes lips to show they don't want more food · rolls from tummy to back · pushes up with straight arms on tummy · leans on hands to sit.
What you might notice
A fussy cluster was described around week 17. Expect everything to head for the mouth: that's how babies explore now, per the CDC's own milestone list. Rolling can start changing sleep positions, and turn-taking "conversations" of sounds begin.
What can help this month
Mouthing everything is exploration, not a habit to break: keep reachable areas clear of small or unsafe objects instead of fighting it. Offer toys with different textures and shapes. Once rolling starts, never leave your baby unattended on a changing table, sofa, or bed, even for a second.
And you: You will be repeating yourself and picking things up off the floor a lot. That is the job right now, not a sign you are failing. Small breaks still count.
Talk with your pediatrician if…
Your baby is missing one or more of the milestones above by 6 months, or has lost skills they once had. That is the CDC's own advice: don't wait, talk with the doctor and ask about developmental screening. And if you're simply worried, that's reason enough to call.
Coming up: after this window comes "on the move" (weeks 26 to 39). No deadlines — windows.
Week by week, if you want the detail
This month roughly covers week 23 · week 24 · week 25 · week 26. Each page has that week's specifics on your baby's calendar.
Want the personal version?
This page covers what's typical at 6 months in general. For your own baby's map — including adjusted age for premature babies — run the free forecast.
See my baby's exact forecastSources: CDC milestone checklists (2022 revision) · Zubler et al., Pediatrics 2022 · van de Rijt-Plooij & Plooij, 1992 (via KNAW review) · Sadurní & Rostan, 2002. Timing varies a lot between babies — windows, not deadlines.