Grabbing everything, squealing with joy, and getting ready for food
Your baby is turning into a little gymnast and comedian — rolling, reaching, squealing and blowing raspberries. Solids are on the horizon, but around 6 months is still the moment for most babies.
Development
Rolling front-to-back is common now, and some babies add back-to-front; others are still working up to their first roll. Reaching is getting accurate — toys are grabbed, held and thoroughly taste-tested.
Expect squeals, raspberries and experimental noises. Answer back and pause for their reply — turn-taking is how conversation starts.
Some babies enjoy supported sitting, propped on your lap or between cushions with you right there. Independent sitting usually comes later — no rush.
Sleep
Sleep cycles are still consolidating after the 4-month shift. Naps may be forming a loose shape — often three a day — but short naps are still very normal.
Early waking is common at this age; a dark room and an early-ish bedtime often help more than a later one.
Keep the basics: back to sleep, clear cot, no swaddling once rolling signs appeared, room shared with you until at least 6 months.
Getting ready for solids
The NHS advises starting solids around 6 months, when three signs appear together: staying in a sitting position holding their head steady; coordinating eyes, hands and mouth to pick food up and get it in; and swallowing rather than pushing food back out.
Most babies aren't showing all three at 5 months — chewing fists and wanting extra milk aren't readiness signs. If you're wondering about starting earlier, talk to your health visitor first; solids should never start before 17 weeks.
You don't need much kit: a soft spoon, a couple of open or free-flow cups, bibs, and a washable floor covering will see you a long way.
And you
If you're returning to work later this year, this is when childcare thinking often begins — visits, waiting lists and settling-in sessions all take time, so starting early lowers the stress.
You don't have to have it all decided. Plans made now can change, and babies adapt better than we fear.
Feeding at this stage
Pick how you're feeding — we'll remember for next time. Every one of these is a good way to feed a baby.
Breastfeeding
- Distractibility often peaks around now — feeding somewhere quiet, or when your baby is just waking and still sleepy, usually goes better.
- Breast milk is still everything your baby needs until around 6 months — daytime snacking-style feeds still add up.
- Keep taking your vitamin D, and give your baby their daily 8.5–10 microgram vitamin D drops (UK advice for breastfed babies).
Breast + expressed
- If work is coming, a practice run helps: one bottle of expressed milk a day from another adult gets everyone used to the routine.
- Building a stash is gentlest with one extra pump a day — often mid-morning when supply is highest.
- Stick with paced, baby-led bottle feeds; a distractible baby may take less per bottle and make up for it at the breast.
Breast + formula
- Distraction hits both breast and bottle feeds now — quiet and low light help either way.
- A steady combination rhythm — same feeds breast, same feeds formula most days — keeps your supply predictable.
- Night feeds are still completely normal at this age, whichever milk they're getting.
Formula
- Appetite growth often levels off as 6 months approaches — bottles may stop getting bigger, and that's expected.
- First infant formula remains the only formula your baby needs; there's no benefit in switching brands or types for a fussy patch.
- Solids aren't needed before around 6 months — if you're considering starting earlier, chat with your health visitor first, and never before 17 weeks.
Totally normal (even when it doesn't feel it)
- No teeth yet — most babies cut their first around 6 months, and some not until after their first birthday.
- Rolling in one direction only, or preferring not to roll at all yet.
- Naps that last exactly one sleep cycle (30–45 minutes) and no more.
- Ear-splitting happy squeals — volume control comes much, much later.
- Chewing on everything — it's exploration and gum comfort, not necessarily teething.
- Eating less during the day because the world is too interesting — babies usually balance it out.
Worth checking
You know your baby best — if any of these ring true, or something just feels off, it's always OK to ask.
- Your baby doesn't reach for or try to grasp toys held within reach.
- Their head still lags right back when you pull them gently to sitting.
- They don't make vowel sounds, squeals or noises back at you.
- They don't turn towards your voice or react to sounds around them.
- They seem very stiff or very floppy, or don't seem interested in what's going on around them.
- None of these on its own is a diagnosis — but each is worth a conversation with your health visitor or GP, and it's always OK to ask.