Your baby, 5 months 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 and older

Your baby has developed alot during the past few months. Because she is now able to roll around and may be able to `wriggle` it is time to childproof your home if you have not already done it. It is important that you take the time to make sure all dangerous objects are out of reach for your baby. Baby gates can be installed at doorways that are dangerous for your baby to enter. All cabinets and drawers should have locks on them. If your baby is messing with something that he should not have, redirect him to another safe area or give him something that is appropriate for him to play with. Never spank his hands or yell at him- he does not know what he is doing at this point.

If your baby does not go to daycare, think about joining a playgroup. Not only is good for him, it is also good for you! Playgroups usually have other moms and babies that you can and your child can relate to. Your baby will enjoy the company of the other babies and they all can learn from each other! Get to know the other moms in the group- they will be excellent sources of information and advice if it is ever needed.

At this point, your baby might start to develop fear around strangers. Let her get used to new people on her own timing and do not force her to be with someone she is aftaid of. She might also develop separation anxiety. This is normal and it is okay. When you leave your baby, tell her that you will be back and give her a quick hig and kiss. Never sneak out on her- this can cause your baby to lose trust in you.

Babies at this age like toys that make noise. Because some babies will begin to pull themselves up on their hands and knees, you should remove crib toys and mobiles from the bed. Your baby will become very interested in toys that she can bang together, suck on, chew on, put together and touch. Daily interaction with her with help her develop the best. Enjoy playing with your baby and praise her when she learns something new! Your baby has good aim when she reaches for something- but, everything she grabs still goes in her mouth! Challenge your baby's memory with simple games of peek-a-boo and hiding/revealing objects. She will begin to understand that items still exist even though you can not see them.

At five months old, he loves to suck on his hands and possibly his feet. He likes when you read to him, talk to him, sing to him and hold him. He will watch your lips when you talk and try to immitate you. Give him a chance to do so. He understands his name and likes to listen to music. He babbles constantly and can say different sounds. Repeat the sounds back to him when he talks to you. Some month old babies will be able to sit without support for a few moments.

All babies are born with a particular type of temperament. Each baby is different and their likes and dislikes vary. Babies with challenging temperaments need their parents to be patient and calm. It is important that you understand what your babies like and dislike so that you know how to handle challenging situations.

Some babies are ready to take a cup at five months. If you are nursing, pump and put the breastmilk inside of her cup occasionally. It is still very important that you continue to nurse your baby often. When trying new foods, try one food for a week before introducing another one. This will eliminate the guess work if allergies develop.

Developmental Milestones 5 Months Old

Physical

• May sit with assistance
• Your baby will extend her arms and legs and arch her back when placed on her stomach
• Can lift head and shoulder when placed on his back
• Can bounce up and down if you hold her under the arms and let her balance her legs on your thighs
• Easily brings a toy to her mouth
• Shows more signs of being ready for solids
• Can spot small objects
• Holds heady steady when sitting upright
• Continues to perfect rolling over
• May be able to stand with support for brief periods of time

Intellectual

• Your baby has learned how to hold his own bottle-don't prop him though.
• Likes to blow raspberries
• Likes to make bubbles
• Adding sounds to her language collection
• Enjoys simple cause and effect games-she may drop objects to watch you pick them up
• Giggles and laughs more often
• Begins to distinguish softer colors
• Realizes where sounds come from and will turn towards a new sound
• Minics sounds and gestures
• Babbles

Emotional

• Still enjoys cuddling at feedings
• Your baby likes to watch you talk
• Easily distractable
• Shows a stong attachment to main caregiver, parents and siblings
• Cries when you leave the room
• May give hugs and kisses
• Your baby will laugh at funny expressions

Age Appropriate Toys

• Exersaucers can be introduced
• Musical toys
• Cause and effect toys
• Books
• Teethers
• Balls
• Plastic keys
• Lighted toys
• Stuffed animals
• Continued play of play gyms and activity mats
• Rattles
• Toys to grasp on

Comments:

Comments 51-75 of about 24911 for month 5
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lucky13 - Sunday, 18 Dec
For me to be a size 6 I have to weight 165 & that's my goal. I topped off at 228 at the end of my pregnancy!! I'm down to 191 (size 10) and was 186 before I got pregnant with Olivia but before my miscarriage I was 168 and was able to zip up my wedding gown...I want to be back there again! I was 138 when I met my husband at 22 and was a size 3. I don't expect to get there again but need to lose more. I'm 5'9 & have a long torso so I carry it well but am not happy with my body at all right now. Magic wand please???

texasmamaof3 - Sunday, 18 Dec
I was at my largest 207 (pregnant). I found a work out I can do in the house and I'm going to run in place try to do it 20 minutes a day while the kids are playing in the living room. You don't have to leave the room to do any of them. Only thing I need to buy are some hand weights. I'll post the link for the workout (but I'm adding the run in place). http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/fitness/fitness-plan-six-weeks-aug01#slide-1

wowwee - Sunday, 18 Dec
Oh to be 158... I can only dream :(

texasmamaof3 - Saturday, 17 Dec
so, FINALLY after like 2 months, I beat the 160 mark (like getting below it) I had been right at 160 and just holding for so long, and I've been meaning to start running again so I could start losing again, but my husband just got a job and is gone from before it is light till after it is dark (not leaving me time to go out and run) but maybe just the thought of it helped? I'm 158. It is the motivation I needed though to really want to run, cause I know I'll keep losing if I do. I'm so tired of all this extra fat! I had pictures of myself from the extreme makeover they just did here and I was so disappointed in how fat I looked in them I didn't even want to post them on my FB for people to see.

texasmamaof3 - Saturday, 17 Dec
actually, a big part of the reason I didn't make it to 2 with my kids is because my husband gives me a lot of crap once they start getting to talking and stuff. It really kinda ticks me off cause even though it is better for children and their health in society is does have a stigma to breastfeed once they are old enough to be talking. guess it's the opposite of feeling like people look down on you for not breastfeeding...people looking down on you for doing it! To each their own though...I just need to build a tougher skin when it comes to my husband and remember why I'm doing it...for the health of the kids.

luvbaby - Friday, 16 Dec
wait is it wierd to breastfeed at 1 or 2 ???? i dont want to stop i luv it. I have 3 kids and Ella is the 1st I breastfed and i regret not doing it with my other two. anywho when is it normal age to stop?

mommajess - Friday, 16 Dec
Well thanks y'all and texas, too. I don't really feel guilty, but I wish I could go longer. My body is just not cooperating. I also don't personally feel comfortable breastfeeding a child that can walk and talk and eat solid foods. 6 months is my max even if I were at home with her. Anyway...hope everyone is enjoying the season!

texasmamaof3 - Friday, 16 Dec
also should note, any bfing is better than none so if you can only do it when you get home at night or in the morning, that is okay! don't think just cause you can't do it full-time it isn't worth it at all...every drop counts! =)

texasmamaof3 - Friday, 16 Dec
I'm not saying it to make you feel bad, but I do believe that in our politically correct society today everyone feels you can't say it is best to breastfeed your child even though it is 100% proven that it is. Def. the more you bf the better and you have done great doing it for this long, but for anyone that knows me I'm not one to be politically correct or beat around the bush about stuff, it is fact the longer the better, so if you CAN make it work, try, I just want to provide the extra motivation for those to remember it is worth it to stick it out. When everyone is sitting there telling you 'it is okay, it is okay, you tried' it makes it a lot easier to stop. I'm very very pro-nature, so please don't take my reminding as scolding so much as what is was...a reminder of the fact (and hopefully motivation for some of those who need a reminder why we keep up with it). Trust me, my goal is 2 years, and this is my 3rd kid and the other two I did NOT make it to my goal...so even I don't live up to my own standards! =) PUMPING SUCKS THOUGH!

amanda220 - Friday, 16 Dec
I exclusively pumped 2.5 months and it was NOT fun. My daughter was premature and never learned how to latch. We saw two different lactation consultants and i tried multiple times daily... Tried everything. So I pumped for as long as I could take and I do not feel in the least bit guilty. I had to start working full time when Ava turned 11 weeks and I'm gone from home 10 hrs. No time to pump anyhow. I definitely feel it's up to you when you stop breastfeeding or even if you try it at all! No one has the same life. To each their own. And shabs - my daughter is 6 months now too. Cant believe how time has flew by. We had a 6 month photoshoot and I get pictures back today. I'll post some later.

shabs78 - Friday, 16 Dec
Off to six months! Can't believe my little girl is already half a year old! Scary how time flies. I've just started giving her three small meals a day, fruit for breakky, veg for lunch and another fruit as an evening snack. She loves her solids! After a few weeks of not being into milk much she's got heaps better which I'm relieved about. Hope all mums and bubs are doing great!

shabs78 - Thursday, 15 Dec
Just to add I'm in my thirties and have been to doctors for various reasons throughout my life, Never have I been asked whether I was breast or bottle fed as a baby!

shabs78 - Thursday, 15 Dec
Mommajess,well done to go this long! We do whatever works best for us and forums such as this allow us to support each other and express our views, however I too feel some take the whole breast is best too far. Ofcourse we all want the best for our children and I was a formula fed baby since day one and you know what, I'm perfectly healthy. Do Not be guilted into feeling like your not setting your child up for life by weaning at five months.

wowwee - Thursday, 15 Dec
Mommajess well done for what you've done, I am so jealous of what you breastfeeding mums have done because it's brilliant for your children. However much breast milk they get. I sadly only breastfed for a week and I kick myself for giving up so easily. First baby, was in alot of pain, no support from families they said it's ridiculous and impractical, and no support from groups or teaching how to latch properly. I was so upset by my choice but someone then said to me what iv given him is fantastic and was the best start to life. Mommajess do not feel disheartened and just look at your beautiful baby and say to yourself ' does he look unhappy/healthy?' sorry for the rant and long message but it seems everywhere that you get looked down on if you don't breastfeed and I do think it's unfair

mommajess - Thursday, 15 Dec
I wish I could keep going at least until January, but my body is just giving out. You are right in that our bodies totally know a pump is not a baby. But that's the best I can do right now. She takes a bottle better than she nurses anyway. I feel bad in one way because my son was a few weeks older before I weaned him, but at the same time I was at home with him a little bit longer so my supply didn't taper out as quickly. I want nothing byt the best for my daughter and right now, she's ready. All I ask is for support. And when you make comments as such, I feel as if you are scolding me instead. Everyone is different and this is just how things go for us at the moment.

texasmamaof3 - Thursday, 15 Dec
just keep in mind the health of your child for the rest of their life is largely effected by breastfeeding for as long as possible, at least a year but preferably 2 years (or even longer for those who can) I've so far made it 18 months with #1 and 15 months with #2. There are a lot of sacrifices we can make to get it to work, trust me, we live very simply so that way I can stay home to do it. I would MUCH rather be out of the house right now, even if to take part-time work! My body also does not respond well to pumping, I don't think a whole lot of women do (our bodies can tell the difference).

lucky13 - Thursday, 15 Dec
Mommajess- at least you'll still be able to breast feed some. Since even going back to work part time I've again realized how difficult it is to pump at work and keep up with it all. I'm relieved that Olivia will now take the bottle from other people, which will give me a little more freedom. She even took my milk from it yesterday (at first she wouldn't) so I will have to keep pumping. She eats a 6 oz bottle but I can only pump 3ozs at a time so I have to pump twice for 1 bottle :(

mommajess - Wednesday, 14 Dec
Well, sadly I'm starting the weaning process. I'm sad, but I just can't keep up with Camille in the day time. Pumping at work just doesn't produce enough milk. I've used all of the 40 some bags I had saved up. I am going to continue nursing her in the mornings and at bedtime until she gets teeth. She takes the formula so much better, too. Im not sure why, but she doesn't spit it up as much and has less gas. Go figure my kid would do the opposite of what is suppose to happen. Anyway, just thought I'd pass that along. She has been on solids now for about 2 weeks and is doing great. I'm so excited for Christmas! She stares at the tree in amazement...almost like she loves it already.

wowwee - Wednesday, 14 Dec
My lo is chewing like he's chewing gum!!! It's so strange to see! I swear he said da da aswel!! I wanted to hear ma ma first :(

texasmamaof3 - Tuesday, 13 Dec
i know I say this a lot but extra virgin coconut oil does a lot of good for sore nipples, you might give it a shot =) I'm so used to being a chew toy now I've become numb to it. He just likes to clamp down, I usually give him 2 times of doing it then I pull him off the boob cause he isn't really hungry when he starts doing that crap.

lucky13 - Tuesday, 13 Dec
All I have to do is say 'ouch' loud & she gets her feelings hurt & cries. I think I'm super sore from a combo of her teeth & having to pump. I need to find my nipple cream cause they fricken hurt! Not ready to give up yet. I try to think of how soon I'll be wishing she was still tiny.

texasmamaof3 - Tuesday, 13 Dec
lucky- sounds like a good deal! don't give up on the bfing. I've been dealing with my biter even without teeth, what I do is flick them in the cheek, it worked a lot better with my girls, a few times after they got teeth and bit I did that and they quit. This guy doesn't seem to respond as well. But it is SO worth doing, it will stop hurting again and go back to just being normal.

lucky13 - Tuesday, 13 Dec
5 months today! Although I've been peaking for weeks lol. So Olivia's teeth are fully in & very rigid...killing my nipples. I told myself I would be so happy to make 6 months breastfeeding & I sure hope I can make it another month b/c it's really starting to hurt :(

Ali*L - Tuesday, 13 Dec
lucky- sounds like a great set up!

Ali*L - Monday, 12 Dec
Wow, texas!!!

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