Baby's First Year
Month 5 — Hands Are Fascinating
Baby This Month
approximately 64–68cm and 6.5–7.5kg
Your baby's hands have become their favourite toys. They examine them endlessly, swap objects from one hand to the other, and use both hands together to explore things — an impressive feat of bilateral coordination that was completely beyond them just weeks ago. Rolling is the big physical milestone this month: most babies master back-to-tummy rolling around now, which opens up a whole new perspective on the world. Vision has sharpened significantly — your baby can see across a room clearly and notices small details. Babbling is ramping up, with more consonant sounds like 'ba,' 'ma,' and 'da' appearing.
No scheduled vaccinations this month in most schedules, but it's a good time to review the upcoming 6-month appointment. Teething can begin any time from Month 4 onwards — watch for drooling, gnawing on everything, and fussiness without obvious cause. Chilled (not frozen) teething rings and gentle gum massage provide real relief. Avoid teething gels with lidocaine or benzocaine — these are not recommended for babies.
By 5 months, your baby understands basic physics — specifically, that solid objects can't pass through each other. Research has shown that babies this age are surprised when shown magic tricks where objects seem to pass through solid barriers. They don't have the words for 'that's impossible' yet, but their brain already knows it is. Your baby is conducting physics experiments every time they drop something, push something off a surface, or watch an object fall.
Start thinking about your back-to-work transition if it's coming up — not with dread, but with planning. If you're using childcare, this is a good month to begin the settling-in process gradually. Most nurseries and childminders recommend a slow introduction over several sessions. The earlier you start, the less rushed and stressful the transition will be for both of you.
Begin preparing your thinking around weaning — research baby-led weaning versus purée approaches, and make sure you know the signs of readiness to look for at 6 months.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Read full disclaimer
Start planning the childcare and back-to-work logistics together now if relevant — leaving it until 2 weeks before the return to work causes unnecessary stress.
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