About Us    Contact Us    Careers    Site Map    Search

Health Care Services    Hospitals & Facilities    Health Information    Find a Doctor    Why Choose Baptist
 
Home Health Information Health Topic Library Child & Teen Health
Normal Development: 6 Months Old
 
Here's what you might see your baby doing between 6 and 9 months of age.

Daily Activities
  • Adores playing with balls, rattles, and squeaky toys.
  • Usually sleeps through the night.
  • Usually begins teething.
  • May prefer some foods to others.
  • May enjoy playing with food.
  • Loves games like peek-a-boo and patty cake.

Language Development
  • Babbles and squeals using single syllables.
  • Loves to jabber.
  • May recognize own name.

Emotional Development
  • May show sharp mood changes.
  • Displays especially strong attachment to mother.
  • Develops deeper attachment to father, siblings, and other familiar people.
  • Distinguishes children from adults.
  • Smiles at other children.
  • May show fear of strangers.
  • Continues to be intrigued with mirror image.

Motor Skills
  • Rests on elbows.
  • Begins to sit alone.
  • Sits in high chair.
  • Continues to use motions leading to crawling.
  • Makes jumping motions when held in standing position.
  • Reaches with one hand.
  • Bats and grasps dangling objects.
  • Holds objects between thumb and forefinger.
  • Passes objects from one hand to another.

Each child is unique. It is therefore difficult to describe exactly what should be expected at each stage of a child's development. While certain attitudes, behaviors, and physical milestones tend to occur at certain ages, a wide spectrum of growth and behavior for each age is normal. These guidelines are offered as a way of showing a general progression through the developmental stages rather than as fixed requirements for normal development at specific ages. It is perfectly natural for a child to attain some milestones earlier and other milestones later than the general trend.

If you have any concerns related to your child's own pattern of development, check with your pediatrician or family physician.




  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

  HIA File CHL3752F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.


Top of Page

Baptist Online
Read the latest articles about a variety of health subjects, with many practical tips to help you take control of your health.
More

See Information Related to This Topic
Home | Health Care Services | Hospitals & Facilities | Health Information | Find a Doctor | Why Choose Baptist
©2009 Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer. Notice of Privacy Practices.
Baptist Memorial Hospital In keeping with the three-fold ministry of Christ — healing, preaching and teaching — Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation is committed to providing quality health care.