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

Emotional Milestones

When you look at your baby, he's likely to smile at you, open his eyes wide, and focus his attention on you. He'll even giggle if you make a funny face. At this age, he recognizes you and is learning to interact with his world. He may even begin to show attachment to a particular toy or object that makes him feel good when he holds it (this is a sign that he is beginning to take interest in things outside of himself). He can amuse himself for short periods of time in his crib, swing, or infant seat. Allow him some "alone time" so he begins to realize he can do things for himself.

Smart Strategy:

Woo your baby -- smile, talk, cuddle with him, but not all at once or he may get overloaded. The point is to get him to interact and explore the different feelings that are beginning to surface. He'll react to your tone of voice -- he'll be upset with an angry voice, pleased with a happy tone.

Your little one is beginning to realize that you exist even if she cannot see you -- this is called object permanence. Help foster this understanding by playing games like peek-a-boo. She'll also start to learn cause and effect now; she'll drop toys and look for them, bang and rattle every object she can hold, and she'll be extremely pleased with herself as she performs these acts and looks to you for approval. Since she is gaining a sense of awareness of the differences in people, she may start to show stranger anxiety. Even if she didn't mind being held by others in the past, she may fall apart now if Grandma holds her or Uncle Joe gets too close.

Smart Strategy:

Now is a good time to start reading to your baby. She won't be able to understand each and every word, but she'll respond to the photographs (especially if they are of other babies) and love to turn the pages of board books as she listens to your voice. Choose books that have bold, bright colors and simple pictures of familiar objects. Babies this age love nursery rhymes because the rhythm fascinates them.

• 1 to 4 months-the second dose of Hepatitis B (Hep B). It must be given at least one month after the first dose.
• 4 months -- Second dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
• 4 months -- Second dose of H.influenzae type b (Hib)
• 4 months -- Second dose of Inactivated Polio (IPV)
• 4 months -- Second dose of Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV)