All babies are unique little beings, each with their own personalities and developmental profile. At ECAS, we know that developmental milestones come in a broad range, and not all skills occur at the same time for all babies. The good news is, for all but a few babies, these skills all eventually emerge without additional support.

The skills below are to be used as guidelines only. If your baby is not reaching these milestones by the end of the sixth month, it should not cause you concern. Just use your instincts! Call your pediatrician and he/she will refer you to your local early intervention team.

Your baby should be able to do the following by the end of the 6th month:

• Holds head in line with his body when pulled to a sitting position
• Bears some weight on his/her feet
• Holds head up 90 degrees when playing on his tummy
• Rolls from his belly to back (4 months) and back to his belly
• Turns around in a circle while playing on his belly
• Bears almost all weight on legs when held
• Keeps hand open most of the time

• Follows with eyes without head movement
• Reaches and grasps objects
• Transfers objects from one hand to another
• Drops a toy then recovers it
• Vocalizes in response to an adult talk and smile
• Lifts arms to parent
• Demands social attention

• Brings hand to mouth to explore toys
• Places both hands on the bottle
• Swallows strained or pureed foods
• Beginning to babble consonant chains, “bababa”
• Turns to own name
• Laughs when head is covered to play peek a boo

• If your baby is not rolling from belly to back and back to belly
• If your baby is not bringing hands together
• If your baby is not looking at you several times per day and demanding your social attention
• If your baby is not smiling back at you when you smile to him/her

• If your baby is not responding to you with sounds when you speak to him/her.
• If your baby keeps his/her head tilted to one side or looks to one direction.
• If your baby does not turn to his/her name when you call