Stages of Play: Four to Six Months Old

Want to know what to expect from your growing baby? These guides share general timelines for developmental milestones and how to encourage new stages of play.

Before you get started, learn how to calculate your baby’s adjusted age based on their due date and birth date. Much of your baby’s development is tied to time in utero so babies born early may need time to reach full-term development.

You made it through the newborn period—and those around-the-clock feeds—that deserves to be celebrated. Now, you’re entering a new stage with your baby, one where they are more alert, more interested in their environment, and more awake during the day.

As your baby becomes more alert and mobile, each day will bring new adventure—and it’s recommended that those days start with tummy time. 

Some babies hate tummy time, which can feel discouraging. If your baby is still fussing in tummy time, practice is key. If you’re wondering how much tummy time does your baby need, don’t worry. Even a minute or two a few times a day can help strengthen their neck muscles.

When your baby is propped over your shoulder, you may notice their head is a bit more stable. (This is thanks to tummy time.) You may also see that they’re starting to grab at things like your earrings or hair. This is because they’ve just realized they have hands and they’ll begin to use them with purpose.

While it may feel like you need to engage with your baby around the clock, it’s actually healthy for them to explore some independence (here is where you can sneak in a hot coffee).

Around this age, your baby will start to recognize familiar faces, voices, and smells. It’s also when their personality starts to show. You’ll begin to see your baby express basic emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness, distress, and surprise.

And you’ll notice your voice and touch bring them comfort. Soothing and snuggling your crying baby is entirely okay. It will not cause any bad habits. 

Another great perk of this age is the giggles. Your baby will start to anticipate familiar games (for example, become excited when tickled) and will laugh and smile when socially engaged. You may also hear them babble closer to the end of this range.

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