Your Social Six-Month-Old

By the Editors of Your Baby Today

These days, your baby revels in her social-butterfly status. So take advantage of it. Expose baby to a variety of people during social outings; teach her to say "hi" and wave good-bye. While you're out and about, your baby will recognize her own name if it's called, and she'll turn to whoever calls it. When she wants to be picked up, baby will use not only her voice, but gestures like raised arms–and from a proud sitting position, no less. When you do pick baby up, be prepared for squeals of delight.

Milestones this month | Sit up and take notice | High energy | Chitchat is good!



Milestones this month*

• Your baby now can sit on her own.
  
  


• She rocks and pivots while lying on her stomach.
  
  


• Baby can roll from her back onto her stomach–and back again.
  
  


• She digs her fingers and toes into the floor to push herself toward a favorite toy.
  
  


• Baby can eat a cracker.
  
  


• She can pick up a cereal ring or other small object.
  
  


• Baby has more than doubled her birth weight.
  
  


• She can say vowel-consonant combinations.
  
  


• Baby expresses unhappiness when an object or toy is taken away.
  
  


• She can pass objects from one hand to another.
  
  


• Baby looks for dropped toys.
  
  


• She has discovered herself in the mirror, and loves having conversations with this new little friend.

*All babies have their own internal developmental timetable. If your 6-month-old hasn't yet reached these milestones, rest assured that she will in time. If you have concerns about your baby's development, discuss them with her doctor.

Sit up and take notice
This is the month most likely to see your baby sit on her own and gain a whole new perspective on the world around her. Once the teetering ends, baby will be able to reach for toys and play with them with perfect balance.