Children's Age-by-Age Guide: 3 to 6 Months

Physical Milestones

Between ages 3 and 6 months, your little one will begin to reach for objects, try to grasp them, and put anything in his mouth that he can. He'll roll over, in both directions (so never leave him on a high surface, like a bed or changing table, even for a minute!), and will squirm when left alone on the floor or in his crib. Around 4 months, he'll be taking in about 40 ounces of milk a day, and he'll drool a lot (you'll make good use of all those bibs). He can swallow now, and soon his first tooth may appear. He'll also be able to sit up, with assistance. These are all signs that he'll soon be ready to tackle solid foods.

Smart Strategy:

Rice cereal is a good first cereal for baby, and can be mixed with breast milk or formula. After a few weeks, you can introduce pureed veggies and fruits, one at a time. Watch for these signs of allergies: watery eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, coughing, fitful sleep. Report any signs to your pediatrician.

At this age, playtime becomes more and more important to your baby. She loves when you interact with her, especially when you pull her up to a standing position. She likes watching her crib mobile, playing with her hands and toes, and looking at herself in the mirror. She also enjoys making noise by swatting at toys and is content to do it over and over. You can expect to hear plenty of coos and gurgles. Your baby is aware of herself, but needs you to expose her to different settings so she can begin to adapt to change without getting too upset.

Smart Strategy:

Amuse your baby by introducing toys that move and make noise. Encourage her constant banging and throwing because that's how she learns cause and effect. Vary her toys as much as possible by giving her different choices at different times. Place some playthings just beyond her grasp so she has to reach for them. Most importantly, be sure anything you offer her is safe to put in her mouth because that's exactly where it will end up!