Five months is the "almost sitting, almost solids" month. Baby can prop themselves up briefly, grabs everything within reach, and passes toys from one hand to the other with purpose. It’s the last full month before the big weaning window opens.
5 months old developmental milestones
- Sits with support for short stretches
- Passes toys between hands
- Recognises their own name most of the time
- Blows raspberries and experiments with new sounds
- Watches food with real interest during your meals
Care tips for 5 months old
- Practise the sitting position on the floor with a nursing pillow around baby’s back — but never leave unattended.
- Read board books together. Point at pictures and name them out loud.
- Play "hide the toy" under a light cloth — object permanence is starting to form.
- Choose a first-food plan for month six (cereal, mashed banana, iron-rich puree, or baby-led weaning).
This month's checklist
- Attend the 5-month checkup
- Buy a high chair for month six
- Choose a first-foods plan
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to start solids at 5 months?
World-wide guidance suggests waiting until 6 months. If baby seems ready earlier, discuss with your paediatrician; iron stores from birth start to run low around 6 months and solids fill that gap.
Why does my baby suddenly wake up more?
Growth spurts, teething, or the tail of the 4-month regression can disrupt sleep at this age. Rule out illness, keep the routine, and this too shall pass.
How much milk should a 5-month-old drink?
Roughly 720-960 ml a day for formula-fed babies, or 8-10 feeds a day for breastfed babies. Wet nappies and weight gain are the truer signals.
When to call your paediatrician
Most months of babyhood pass without alarm, but a small set of symptoms always deserves urgent review. Contact your paediatrician or the nearest paediatric emergency room straight away for any of the following:
- Fever above 39 °C, or any fever lasting more than 72 hours
- Refusing more than two feeds in a row, or fewer wet nappies than usual
- Breathing that is fast, noisy, or with visible chest tugging
- Persistent vomiting, blood in stool, or a swollen belly
- Any sudden loss of a skill baby had already learned
Where the 5 months old stage fits in
The first six months are all about building trust, feeding rhythms, and the neurological wiring that underpins every future skill. Growth is at its fastest — most babies gain 150-200 g per week early on and double their birth weight by six months. Your voice, your smell, and skin-to-skin contact are the most powerful tools you have.
Educational content — not a substitute for medical care. Contact your paediatrician urgently for high fever in a young infant, refusing feeds, laboured breathing, persistent vomiting, or any concern that feels wrong to you.