The baby at 5 months already has better posture and balance of the head and trunk. Therefore, when he is laid on his stomach, he is able to support himself on his hands and drag himself, and begins to sit without support. In addition, the baby now holds objects better with his hands and, out of curiosity, tries to take toys to his mouth.
At 5 months, babies usually sleep around 14 to 15 hours a day. However, at this stage, they prefer to stay awake longer to play and therefore nap less during the day and sleep longer at night.
A 5-month-old baby should be fed exclusively with breast milk and on demand, which is when the baby wants to breastfeed. However, when the mother cannot breastfeed, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends the use of infant formula, in accordance with the pediatrician’s instructions.
It is important to remember that each baby has their own growth, sleep and speech speed. Therefore, if there are doubts about the baby’s development, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.
Baby weight at 5 months
The following table indicates the weight range for a 5-month-old baby, as well as other parameters such as height and monthly weight gain, according to the World Health Organization:
It is important to remember that, if the baby presents values above or below those indicated, it is recommended to consult the pediatrician so that the child’s development can be assessed.
How does a baby sleep?
A 5-month-old baby usually sleeps between 14 and 15 hours a day, between naps in the morning and afternoon, and sleep at night. At this age, the baby sleeps longer at night, waking up on average once to feed or change the diaper.
It is also recommended that a 5-month-old baby sleeps around 10 hours straight per night. However, some babies may have more difficulty sleeping for many hours at a time or even “changing day for night”. Know how many hours your baby needs to sleep.
To ensure a good night’s sleep, it is important that the baby has the same bedtimes, as this helps to create a sleep routine. Furthermore, placing the baby in the crib while still awake teaches the child to “fall asleep” on their own.
Other measures that help the baby sleep well are leaving the room with dim lighting, reducing noise in the house and avoiding using cell phones or television close to bedtime. See other tips to help your baby sleep well.
How should the diet be
A 5-month-old baby should be fed exclusively with breast milk and on demand, which is when the baby wants to breastfeed.
Breast milk provides all the nutrients and water that the baby needs to develop, which is why the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months and, when possible, that breast milk complements the baby’s diet until 2 years or more.
However, when the mother cannot breastfeed, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends the use of infant formula, in accordance with the pediatrician’s instructions regarding type and quantity.
In addition, babies who feed on infant formula also need to drink 700 ml of water per day, and it is important to consult your pediatrician regarding the need to offer pure, filtered or boiled water, in addition to that used to prepare bottles. See how to give water to your baby.
Baby development
From the 5th month onwards, the baby can better balance his head and torso, being able to support himself on his hands to roll over and crawl. The 5-month-old baby also has better posture and, therefore, begins to sit without support and support him with his hands when he falls to the side.
5-month-old babies are better able to recognize the voice, appearance and look of their parents or guardians and family members, interacting with them through a smile or noises they make with their mouth. Furthermore, at this stage the baby is also able to hold objects and toys better with their hands and, out of curiosity, may try to take them to their mouth.
When to vaccinate your baby
A 5-month-old baby will only need to take the second dose of the Meningococcal C vaccine (conjugate), against the infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which can cause meningitis. See the symptoms and how to prevent meningococcal meningitis.
Games and activities
Play is fundamental at this stage, as it helps to improve the baby’s bond with parents or guardians, as well as stimulating the child’s communication, creativity, learning and cognition.
Some games that can be played with a 5-month-old baby are:
- Place the baby sitting on a soft rug with toys and objects, pointing and saying the name and encouraging him to pick up the toys;
- Sit with the baby on the floor, place different objects and toys in a basket and offer them to explore, speaking and explaining the name and function of each object to the baby.
Another easy game is the “magic mirror”, where you place the baby on your lap or sitting on a rug, and let him explore his own image, saying his name and explaining the different parts of his body.
