Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Checked against current guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
At five months, your baby is stronger, noisier and much more curious than a few weeks ago. Many babies are rolling, reaching for everything in sight, squealing with delight and putting every toy straight into their mouth.
There is no official CDC checklist for 5 months. The CDC checks milestones at 4 months and 6 months, so the fifth month is the bridge between the two. This guide shows what most babies already do (from the 4-month list), what your baby is working toward (the 6-month list), and how to help along the way.
5 Month Milestones at a Glance
| Area | Most babies already do (by 4 months) | Working toward (by 6 months) |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Holds head steady when held, pushes up on elbows on tummy, holds a toy put in their hand | Rolls from tummy to back, pushes up on straight arms, leans on hands when sitting |
| Hands | Brings hands to mouth, swings an arm at toys | Reaches to grab a toy they want |
| Talking | Coos, makes sounds back when you talk, turns toward your voice | Takes turns making sounds, blows raspberries, squeals |
| Social | Smiles to get your attention, chuckles | Knows familiar people, laughs, likes the mirror |
| Thinking | Looks at their hands with interest, opens mouth for breast or bottle when hungry | Puts things in mouth to explore, closes lips when done eating |
The CDC defines milestones as things most babies (75% or more) can do by a certain age, so plenty of healthy babies get there a little earlier or later. If your baby was born early, count from their due date rather than their birthday.
Movement: Rolling, Pushing Up and Early Sitting
Rolling over
Rolling is the big physical skill of this month. Most babies roll from tummy to back first, and rolling from back to tummy usually follows. By the end of the 4 to 7 month stretch, many babies roll both ways, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Around five months you may also see rocking, kicking and “swimming” arm movements on the tummy. These are the building blocks for rolling and, later, crawling.
Pushing up and sitting with support
During tummy time, your baby pushes up higher, moving from elbows toward straight arms and lifting the chest off the floor. This builds the upper body strength needed for sitting. Most 5 month olds still need you, or pillows around them, to sit. Some start to “tripod”, leaning forward on their hands. Sitting steadily without support usually comes later, often between 6 and 9 months.
Legs and feet
Hold your baby upright with their feet on your lap and many will push down, bounce or make little stepping movements. Lying on their back, lots of babies discover their feet and pull them toward their mouth. This is all normal practice for later standing and crawling.
Hands: Reaching, Grabbing and Mouthing
By four months most babies hold a toy you put in their hand and bring their hands to their mouth. In the fifth month, reaching becomes more deliberate. Your baby sees something, reaches for it and grabs it with a mitten-like grip, often with both hands. Then it goes straight into the mouth, which is how babies this age learn about shape and texture.
Passing a toy from one hand to the other and picking things up with a raking motion usually come a little later. Because everything is now mouthed, do a quick floor check before play: anything small enough to fit through a toilet paper roll is a choking risk.
Talking and Social Skills
Squeals, raspberries and “conversations”
Cooing turns into a wider range of sounds: squeals, growls, and raspberries (sticking the tongue out and blowing). Your baby is learning that talking is a back-and-forth. When you pause after speaking, they may answer with a sound of their own. Babbling with repeated syllables like “ba-ba” or “ma-ma” usually comes closer to 9 months.
Laughing and knowing their people
Chuckles become real laughs, often at silly faces, gentle tickles or peekaboo. Your baby clearly knows familiar people and may light up when a parent walks in. Many love looking at the baby in the mirror, even before they know it is them. Stranger shyness usually shows up later, often around 8 to 9 months.
Thinking and Learning
Your baby is starting to connect cause and effect. Shake a rattle, it makes a noise. Kick the mobile, it moves. You may notice your baby repeating an action on purpose to see the result again. Color vision is now close to an adult’s, and your baby can follow moving objects more smoothly across the room.
Sleep at 5 Months
Babies from 4 to 12 months need about 12 to 16 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps, according to the CDC. At five months, most take 2 to 3 naps a day and sleep in longer stretches at night, though many still wake for a feed, especially breastfed babies. If sleep fell apart recently, it may be the tail end of the 4 month sleep regression.
Rolling changes safe sleep. The AAP advises stopping swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll. Keep placing your baby on their back, alone, on a firm, flat surface with no pillows, blankets, bumpers or toys. If your baby rolls onto their tummy on their own and can roll both ways, you don’t need to turn them back over.
Feeding at 5 Months
Milk is still the main food
Breast milk or formula still gives your baby everything they need. Breastfed babies keep feeding on cue. According to the AAP, formula-fed babies are moving toward about 6 to 8 ounces at each of 4 or 5 feeds a day by 6 months, and usually need no more than about 32 ounces in 24 hours. Watch your baby’s hunger and fullness cues rather than the bottle.
Is your baby ready for solids?
The AAP recommends starting solid foods at about 6 months, and never before 4 months. Some babies show readiness a little earlier. Look for all of these signs together:
- Holds their head steady and upright
- Sits with support
- Shows interest in your food, leans in or opens their mouth
- Swallows food instead of pushing it straight back out with the tongue
Talk to your pediatrician before you start, especially if your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, as they may advise introducing peanut early and in a specific way. When you do start, see our guides on when to start baby-led weaning and how much a 6 month old should eat.
Drooling and Teething
Lots of drool and constant chewing on hands are common at this age, but they don’t always mean a tooth is coming. The first teeth often appear around 6 months, sometimes earlier or later. For sore gums, offer a clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring or rub the gums with a clean finger. Avoid teething gels with benzocaine and amber or other teething necklaces, which the FDA warns against. More in our article on drooling and teething.
How to Support Your 5 Month Old
- Floor time every day: Supervised tummy time and play on a blanket give your baby room to practice rolling and pushing up.
- Place toys just out of reach: A favorite toy a little in front of your baby encourages reaching and forward movement.
- Talk back: Copy your baby’s sounds, then pause so they can answer. These little conversations build language.
- Read together: Board books with faces and bold pictures are perfect. Name what you see.
- Play peekaboo and mirror games: Simple games build social skills and early memory.
- Babyproof the floor: Your baby can roll off beds and sofas now, so change diapers on the floor or keep a hand on them.
Going back to work, or handing your baby to grandparents or a sitter for the first time? Our free baby handover sheet puts feeds, naps, safe sleep rules and contacts on one printable page. For play ideas, see stimulation ideas for 3 to 7 months.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Every baby develops at their own pace, but don’t wait to ask if your 5 month old:
- Can’t hold their head steady when you hold them upright
- Doesn’t push up on their elbows or forearms during tummy time
- Doesn’t hold a toy or bring their hands to their mouth
- Doesn’t make sounds, smile at people or turn toward voices
- Doesn’t follow moving things with their eyes
- Seems very stiff or very floppy
- Has lost a skill they used to have
You can also contact your state’s early intervention program (find yours at cdc.gov/FindEI) for a free evaluation. You don’t need a doctor’s referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my 5 month old be rolling over?
Many 5 month olds roll from tummy to back, and most do by 6 months. Rolling from back to tummy often comes a little later. If your baby isn’t rolling yet but is getting plenty of tummy time and pushing up well, there is usually no cause for worry. Mention it at the 6 month checkup.
Can a 5 month old sit up?
Most can sit with support from you or pillows, and some lean forward on their hands. Sitting steadily without any support usually happens between about 6 and 9 months.
Can I start solids at 5 months?
The AAP recommends about 6 months. Some babies are ready earlier, but never before 4 months, and only when they show all the readiness signs above. Check with your pediatrician first.
How much should a 5 month old sleep?
About 12 to 16 hours in 24 hours, including 2 to 3 naps. Night waking is still common at this age, especially for breastfed babies.
Is it normal for my 5 month old to put everything in their mouth?
Yes. Mouthing is how babies explore at this age, and by 6 months most babies put things in their mouth to learn about them. Keep small objects, coins and button batteries well out of reach.
The Bottom Line
Five months is a month of rolling, reaching, squealing and laughing. Your baby is building the strength and coordination for sitting and crawling, and learning that you will answer when they “talk”. Give them floor time, talk and play together, keep sleep safe now that they roll, and trust your instincts if something doesn’t seem right. Next up: 6 month old development. Missed the last stage? Read about 3 to 4 month milestones.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Always contact your pediatrician with questions about your baby’s health.
9 Sources
Newborn Stages uses trusted sources, including government health agencies, children’s hospitals and pediatric organizations, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn how we research, fact-check and keep our content accurate.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Milestones by 4 months.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Milestones by 6 months.
- HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics. Movement milestones: babies 4 to 7 months.
- HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics. Developmental milestones: 7 months.
- HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics. Starting solid foods.
- HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics. Amount and schedule of baby formula feedings.
- HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics. How to keep your sleeping baby safe: AAP policy explained.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safely soothing teething pain and sensory needs in babies and older children.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About sleep.
