Baby Physical Development in 5-Month-Olds: Reaching and Grabbing
"Peek-a-boo." Say this about 50 times in a row and you'll get used to what you'll be doing for many months to come. You'll be amazed at how it elicits squeals of delight from your baby every time. And just wait until your baby is saying it. Guess who's going to be squealing with delight then?
What You're Thinking: "OK, this game is getting a lit-tle old. ..."
Baby Milestones
- If she's not doing it already, your little one will soon start trying to reach and grab anything within range at this point in baby's physical development, so now is a good time to put things out in front of her, like toys secured to the infant seat. (Also, be careful about the mobile now. Make sure it is high enough that she can't pull it down. Take it down altogether when baby starts pushing up onto her hands and knees.)
- Play with your baby by jingling a set of keys and watch her reach for them and try to re-create that sound. There's a good chance your keys will become his new favorite toy, but at least if he's got them, you'll actually know where they are.
- By now, your baby's hearing is developed enough that she can usually figure out where a sound is coming from. So, if you start talking to her, she'll turn her head to you—as if to say, "Yes, Mom? You called?"
Mommy Milestones
- You called your mom to tell her you get it now (the worrying, the loving, the exhaustion ... everything).
- You enjoyed your first Mommy and Me music class (maybe a little too much: You sang "I'm a Little Teapot" all the way home).
- You've stopped thinking people mean milk when they say the word "bottle," and you now remember it can also mean wine, water, beer, ketchup ...
- Your best friend had a baby and now you feel like you're the experienced high school senior and she's the novice freshman (except you're not going to give her dirty looks and keep her off the cheerleading squad).
- You ran into a friend from high school and she said she couldn't believe you just had a baby because you looked so fabulous (thank you under-eye concealer, Spanx and bronzer!).
Home Front
Babyproofing the kitchen has a lot to do with keeping potentially dangerous things out of reach. In fact, it's not unlike the partner-proofing you've done in the past, only instead of keeping ice cream and good chocolates out of reach of your partner, you'll be keeping hot pots and breakable dinnerware out of the reach of your baby. Get more tips! (... about your baby, not your partner.) Read more ...
Everything you ever wanted to know ... and were just about to ask ...
Do It:
Hot Squats
Get your butt back into those pre-baby jeans!
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Need an extra set of hands? You got it!
Share It: Meeting Other Mommies
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Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.
BACK: Special Edition: Mommy Blues / NEXT: Baby Development: More Month 5
All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.
report abuseGet your butt back into those pre-baby jeans!
Buy It: The Mommy Hook
Need an extra set of hands? You got it!
Share It: Meeting Other Mommies
Wondering where, oh where your new Mommy BFFs are? You're not alone!
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.
BACK: Special Edition: Mommy Blues / NEXT: Baby Development: More Month 5
All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.
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