The CDC defines milestones as things most babies, 75 percent or more, can do by a certain age. So the list below describes what is typical, not a test your baby must pass on the exact day they turn 6 months. [1]
Socially, most 6 month olds know familiar people and laugh. Many take turns making sounds with you and blow raspberries. Squealing noises are on the CDC list too. Conversations are already happening, just without words. [1]
On the movement side, most babies this age roll from tummy to back and push up with straight arms during tummy time. Sitting looks like a tripod right now: your baby leans on their hands for support. [1] Sitting without support is a 9 month milestone, so there is no rush. [3]
Everything goes in the mouth at this age. That is how babies explore objects, per the CDC checklist, which also lists reaching to grab a wanted toy and closing lips to show they do not want more food. [1]
You may also notice new caution around unfamiliar faces. The NHS notes that separation anxiety and fear of strangers is common between 6 months and 3 years, and that it is a normal part of development. It means your baby now understands who their people are. [2]
The CDC lists 12 to 16 hours of sleep per 24 hours for infants 4 to 12 months, including naps. [4]
That is a wide range on purpose. One healthy baby may sleep 12 hours across a day while another needs 16. When you tally your baby's sleep, count naps together with night sleep, because the recommendation covers the whole day. [4]
Six months is the classic moment to start solid foods. The AAP recommends only breast milk for approximately the first 6 months, then introductory foods alongside continued breastfeeding for as long as you and your child wish. [5] [9] If your baby drinks formula, the timing is the same: the NHS notes that breast milk or first infant formula provides the energy and nutrients a baby needs until around 6 months, and that solids then join milk feeds rather than replace them. [7] The WHO likewise advises complementary foods starting at 6 months. [8]
Look for readiness rather than the calendar alone. Signs from the AAP include sitting in a high chair or infant seat with good head control and opening the mouth when food comes close. [5]
Introduce one new single ingredient food at a time and wait 3 to 5 days before the next, watching for any reactions. [5]
The advice here changed in the last decade, and it changed toward earlier. The AAP states there is no evidence that waiting beyond 4 to 6 months to introduce soft forms of eggs, dairy, soy, peanut products, or fish prevents food allergy. [5] The NHS goes further: evidence shows that delaying peanut and hen's eggs beyond 6 to 12 months may increase the risk of developing an allergy to these foods. [6]
Serve allergens one at a time and in small amounts, so you can spot the cause of any reaction. Nuts and peanuts go in finely ground or as nut butters, never whole. [6] One important exception: for babies with severe eczema or an existing egg allergy, the AAP recommends peanut allergy testing first, so check with your child's doctor about how and when to give peanut products. [5]
Around 6 months you can offer a little water, about 4 to 8 ounces per day, in an open cup or a sippy cup. Plain cow's milk as a drink waits until 12 months. [11]
The AAP recommends a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU for babies under one year, unless they drink more than 27 ounces of vitamin D fortified formula per day. Breastfed and partially breastfed babies also need supplemental iron, 1 mg per kg daily from 4 months, until iron rich foods such as fortified cereal are established. Your pediatrician can confirm the right drops for your baby. [10]
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Open the week calculatorMost days at this age are ordinary in the best way. A short list of signs deserves a call, so you never have to wonder.
Fever: call your child's doctor if the temperature rises above 104 F (40 C) repeatedly, or if your child has had a seizure. Also call if your child still acts sick once the fever is brought down, or seems to be getting worse. [12]
Dehydration: notify the pediatrician immediately if your baby has fewer than six wet diapers a day or a parched dry mouth. Playing much less than usual is another early sign. [13]
Reactions to new foods: a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can cause swelling in the throat with severe trouble breathing or loss of consciousness. This is a medical emergency: call 911. [14] For milder signs after a new food, such as hives, stop that food and call your pediatrician. [14]
Development: if your baby is missing several 6 month milestones, or has lost any skills they once had, share it with the doctor. The CDC advises asking for a referral to a specialist and contacting your state's early intervention program if concerns remain. [1]
Leelalu is education, not medical care. Nothing here is a diagnosis. For anything on this list, or any symptom that worries you, contact your provider. If it feels like an emergency, call 911.
By 9 months, most babies get to a sitting position by themselves and sit without support. Many move things from hand to hand and use their fingers to rake food toward themselves, which makes finger foods more fun by the month. [3]
The clinginess you may be seeing now often deepens before it fades. The NHS describes separation anxiety as a sign your baby realizes they are a separate person from you, and it usually passes with time and gentle practice. [2]
On the food front, keep widening the menu. The NHS notes that a variety of foods alongside breast milk or formula from around 6 months helps set your child up for a lifetime of healthier eating, with amounts and textures increasing gradually. [7]
Probably not. At 6 months, most babies lean on their hands to support themselves while sitting. [1] Sitting without support is a 9 month milestone, so there is time. [3] If your baby is missing several milestones, or has lost a skill they once had, share that with your doctor. [1]
For most babies, yes. Serve peanut as a thin smooth nut butter or finely ground, never as whole nuts. [6] There is no evidence that waiting beyond 4 to 6 months prevents food allergy, and delaying peanut and egg past 6 to 12 months may raise the risk. If your baby has severe eczema or an egg allergy, ask your pediatrician about allergy testing before the first taste. [5] [6]
The CDC lists 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours for infants 4 to 12 months, naps included. Babies vary, so count the whole day rather than the night alone. [4]
LEELALU is education, not medicine. This page cannot diagnose or treat anything, and it never replaces your clinician. For anything on the "call your doctor" list, or anything that worries you, contact your provider. Found an error? Write to hello@leelalu.com and a person will read it. Our method: Editorial Standards.