Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary rate, and each milestone will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major stages of their development and how to communicate with them to help stimulate their learning.
Half a year has already passed since your little one was born… In just six months, your fragile newborn has transformed into a joyful, talkative baby, curious about the world around them. Make the most of this happy and tender time, when everything is an opportunity to laugh, communicate, discover, and experiment!
His weight and size
At 6 months, babies typically weigh between 6 and 9 kg. Their growth slows down slightly compared to the first few months, and most measure between 62 and 72 cm. Even if your baby doesn't fall within these figures, everything is fine as long as their growth curve remains steady, without any setbacks.
His awakening
Your baby is fascinated by their reflection in the mirror, even though they don't yet understand that it's themselves they're looking at. They spend a lot of time playing with their toys, and they particularly enjoy those with bright colors, soft textures, or that combine music and light effects. But their favorite game remains hide-and-seek: by concealing an object (or your face) under a cloth and then making it reappear, you'll invariably spark their enthusiasm!
More generally, your baby loves interacting with you. They seek your attention, giggling constantly, making faces, and letting out little cries of joy. They coo and babble enthusiastically and take great pleasure in repeating syllables ending in "a": "dadadada," "papapapa," "mamamama"... These sounds don't have a precise meaning in their mind: you will gradually give them meaning by responding. What joy for them to see you arrive saying "Mommy's here" when they string together "mamamama" sounds! In this way, they discover the symbolic dimension of... language : a sound corresponds to an object.
His motor skills
Your very active baby is gaining better and better control of his movements. He is now able to hold his toys He holds it firmly, and he'll drop one if you offer him another. He can also grasp objects around him, and if you take away a toy he likes, he protests by shouting. When you approach him, he reaches out his arms for you to pick him up.
Lying on his back, he plays with his feet and brings them to his mouth. Placed on his stomach, he manages to roll over and back onto his back. When you support him in a standing position, his legs flex and extend like springs: this is the "jumper" stage.
Soon to be seated!
Sitting up is your baby's big challenge for the next few months! Right now, if you place them on their back, they lift their head and torso to try to sit up on their own, but they can't quite manage it yet. However, if you help them into this position, they can sit unsupported for a few moments, and they love it! This new posture gives them a fresh perspective on the world and expands their horizons: they can see everything that's going on and reach for objects scattered around them.
To make it easier for him to enjoy it, you can support his back with a nursing pillow or bolster. But only for a few minutes! His still-developing spine shouldn't be put under strain beyond its limits. In a month or two, he'll be able to sit up on his own, with his back straight.
The age of the first teeth
If you observe your baby biting their toys hard, sucking their fingers constantly and drooling a lot, the first tooth is probably coming soon! 6 months is often the age of its appearance, and the first tooth to erupt is usually a lower central incisor.
However, don't worry if you don't see any teeth coming in: the age at which the first tooth appears varies greatly from child to child. It can appear as early as 4 months for some, or even at birth in exceptional cases. Conversely, it's possible for a 12-month-old baby to still have no teeth, without this being a sign of poor development if no other abnormalities are present.
His sleep
After the initial sleepless nights, most babies sleep peacefully between 3 and 9 months. If yours is still waking up at night, don't lose patience! They simply need a little more time to establish a sleep pattern. Teething can also wake them up at night. Don't worry about them developing bad habits: go to them when they wake up and help them fall back asleep with a cuddle, a breastfeed, or a small bottle. This will provide the comfort necessary for good sleep in the long run. And in a few months, these nighttime awakenings will be a thing of the past!
6 months, symptoms related to teething
The first teething Teething remains a stage that is often long and difficult for babies. The appearance of a baby's first teeth is obviously a significant change in their development and life. Especially since, at 6 months, your baby begins to diversify their diet and try new foods. The eruption of the first teeth is generally accompanied by oral discomfort, pain, and swelling.
