Baby development at 6 months
The first six months of a baby's life are filled with rapid change. From tiny newborn reflexes to purposeful reaching, rolling and belly laughs, the pace of development in these early months is like nothing else. This guide draws entirely on CDC milestone guidance to outline what most babies can do by 6 months, and to help you know when it is worth checking in with your doctor or health visitor.
Remember that milestones describe what most babies can do by a given age. Individual babies develop at their own pace, and a baby who reaches a milestone a little earlier or later than the guide suggests is very often perfectly healthy. If you are unsure, your healthcare team is always the right first call.
Social and emotional development
By 6 months, most babies are unmistakably social little people. Key social and emotional milestones at this age include:
- Recognising familiar people. Babies at this stage are increasingly able to tell apart the faces of the people they see most often from those of strangers.
- Laughing out loud. Genuine, full laughter is one of the most enjoyable milestones of these months. Many parents find that particular games or funny faces reliably trigger it.
- Enjoying their own reflection. Place a baby-safe mirror in front of your little one and they will often gaze at it with obvious delight, fascinated by the face looking back at them.
These social abilities lay the groundwork for deeper relationships and communication skills that build through the rest of the first year.
Language and communication
Babbling and vocalising begin in earnest around 6 months. The sounds your baby makes at this age are not random; they are early building blocks of language.
- Back-and-forth sound-making. Babies start to engage in little "conversations" with caregivers, taking turns making sounds in response to each other. This reciprocal exchange is an early form of communication.
- Squealing. High-pitched squeals of delight (and sometimes protest) become a regular part of the sound repertoire.
- Raspberry sounds. Many babies at this age discover the entertaining effect of protruding their tongue and blowing to make raspberry sounds, and they tend to do it a lot.
Talking to your baby throughout the day, narrating what you are doing, singing songs and reading aloud all support language development during this period.
Cognitive development
Thinking, learning and problem-solving are developing steadily, even if the signs are subtle. At 6 months, babies begin to show more intentional, exploratory behaviour.
- Mouthing objects. Putting things in their mouth is a primary way babies at this age gather information about an object: its texture, temperature, shape and taste all become part of what they know about it.
- Reaching for toys. When a desirable toy is nearby, a 6-month-old will stretch their arms out to get it. This purposeful reaching shows they can plan a simple action and carry it out.
- Showing food preferences. When a baby has had enough to eat, they may close their lips and turn away. This ability to communicate "no more" is a meaningful cognitive and social step.
Movement and physical development
Motor development moves quickly in the first half-year. By 6 months, most babies have built enough strength and coordination to achieve several important physical milestones.
- Rolling from tummy to back. Rolling over is often one of the milestones parents notice first, because it can happen unexpectedly. Once a baby can roll, safe sleep practices on a clear, firm surface become even more important.
- Pushing up on straight arms during tummy time. Regular tummy time sessions help babies build the shoulder and arm strength they need. By 6 months, many can push up onto fully straight arms, lifting their chest well off the floor.
- Sitting with hand support. Most 6-month-olds can sit when they are propped up and use their own hands for balance. Unassisted sitting comes a little later for most babies.
Tummy time, ideally offered every day from birth, is the practice that most directly supports rolling, arm strength and the physical preparation for crawling. Short, frequent sessions throughout the day are more sustainable than one long one.
How to support your baby's development at this stage
The everyday activities of caring for a baby are naturally full of developmental opportunity. A few simple approaches can make the most of them:
- Talk and listen. Hold conversations with your baby, even though their side is just sounds and facial expressions. Responding to their vocalisations encourages the back-and-forth exchanges that build early language.
- Offer tummy time daily. This builds the physical foundations for rolling and, eventually, crawling. Start short and build up as your baby's tolerance grows.
- Provide safe objects to explore. Toys of different textures, sizes and shapes give babies something to reach for, grasp and mouth, supporting both motor and cognitive development.
- Use a mirror. A baby-safe mirror held in front of your baby gives them a face to respond to and explore, supporting social awareness.
- Keep the environment calm and predictable. Consistent caregiving and routines help babies feel secure, which in turn supports their capacity to explore and learn.
When to speak to your doctor or health visitor
Milestones are a guide, not a strict checklist. However, certain signs are worth discussing promptly with a healthcare professional. The CDC notes that its milestone materials are not a substitute for proper developmental screening, and encourages parents to raise any concerns with their child's doctor and to contact early intervention services if needed.
Always bring up concerns at your baby's regular check-ups, and do not wait until the next appointment if you are worried. Early support, when it is needed, makes a meaningful difference.
Frequently asked questions
What social skills should my baby have at 6 months?
By 6 months, most babies recognise familiar people, enjoy looking at their own reflection, and laugh out loud. They begin to show clear preferences for the people they know best.
When do babies start babbling?
Babbling and back-and-forth sound-making with caregivers typically begins around 6 months. Babies at this age also make squealing sounds and produce raspberry sounds by protruding their tongue and blowing.
Is it normal for a 6-month-old to sit with support?
Yes. At 6 months, most babies can sit when propped up with their hands for balance. Sitting independently without any support usually comes a little later.
Should my 6-month-old be rolling over?
Rolling from their tummy onto their back is a milestone most babies reach by 6 months. During tummy time they also push up onto straight arms, lifting their chest off the floor.
When should I talk to a doctor about my baby's development?
If you have any concerns about your baby's development at any age, speak with your doctor, health visitor or midwife. Early support makes a meaningful difference, so it is always worth raising concerns rather than waiting.
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