Baby Daily Life
–
Letting baby cry himself to sleep: methods, benefits and limits
At 5 months, your baby is no longer a newborn but an infant eagerly exploring the world around them. It’s a fascinating stage where each day brings new developmental milestones—from fine motor skills to gross motor movements and cognitive awakening. So, what’s happening for your baby right now?
5-month-old baby: May tells you everything.
Motor and cognitive development
At 5 months, your baby enters a fascinating phase of development. Let’s take a look.
Motor development
Motor development in babies refers to the progression of their physical abilities and movements. At this age, your infant starts to master more complex movements thanks to the maturation of their nervous and muscular systems. Here are some key milestones in gross and fine motor skills at 5 months:
- Holding their head up: your baby can now keep their head upright when on their stomach—an essential precursor to crawling and moving around.
- Grasping objects: their grip is improving, and they can hold toys and bring them to their mouth, which helps develop hand-eye coordination.
- Rolling over: some babies begin to roll from back to tummy, which marks a crucial step in motor development.
Cognitive development
Cognitive development refers to how a baby thinks and learns. At 5 months, your baby explores the world with curiosity and begins developing key cognitive skills:
- Facial recognition: your baby now distinguishes between familiar and unfamiliar faces, which can result in reactions like joy or wariness.
- Reflexes and interactions: reflexes begin to transform into intentional actions, and your baby responds more actively to their surroundings, supporting cognitive awakening.
When to worry?
The milestones mentioned above are only general guidelines for a baby’s development. Every child develops at their own pace! So don’t worry if your baby progresses faster or slower than others.
However, if you notice a sudden stop in development, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.
Language and communication
Although they’re not speaking yet, your baby is already laying the foundation for future vocabulary. At this age, infants are highly responsive to sounds and voices. Their cognitive development allows them to begin understanding the basics of communication.
To support your baby’s language development, we recommend regular verbal interaction. Here are some activities and games you can include in your daily routine:
- Talk to them often: use a rich vocabulary and describe what you’re doing. For example, while giving them a bottle or feeding them, explain your actions. This helps them associate words with actions.
- Sing songs to them: melodies and rhymes often captivate babies. Singing nursery rhymes can soothe them and expand their auditory world.
- Read picture books: show them illustrated books and name the objects. This encourages linking words to images. You can do the same in everyday life when they show interest in something (“that’s an apple,” “look at the nice truck”).
- Respond to their sounds: encourage babbling by mimicking their sounds or replying. This motivates vocal exploration.
Feeding and nutrition
At 5 months, your baby’s diet begins to evolve, marking the start of food diversification. Even though they’re discovering new flavors and textures, milk remains a crucial part of their nutrition. Gradually, solid food will increase and milk intake will decrease. Here are some benchmarks:
- Between 4 and 6 months: 500–750 ml of milk per day, spread across 4–5 bottles.
- Between 6 and 9 months: 500–800 ml of milk per day, in 2 or 3 bottles (e.g., one in the morning, one for snack or at night, or both).
- Between 9 and 12 months: at least 500 ml of milk or equivalent daily, in 2 bottles (morning and snack). You can substitute bottles with infant dairy products if needed.
Here are some age-appropriate foods for a 5-month-old infant:
- Vegetable purées: start with gentle vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or sweet potatoes. Smooth purées are ideal to begin food diversification.
- Fruit compotes: fruits like apples or pears, cooked and mashed, provide excellent sources of vitamins and fiber.
- Baby cereals: iron-fortified and mixable with breast milk or water to achieve the right consistency for your baby’s age.
It’s recommended to introduce foods one at a time to watch for any allergic reactions or signs of intolerance (and identify the responsible food). Consult a pediatrician if you’re unsure about introducing new foods.
Sleep at 5 months
At 5 months, your baby starts to develop longer and more stable sleep cycles, alternating between REM sleep and deep sleep. Deep sleep is crucial for growth and immune system support.
Common sleep issues
Several sleep challenges may arise at this age:
- Frequent night wakings: often linked to hunger, discomfort, or anxiety. Night wakings are commonly accompanied by crying (your baby’s only way to express needs).
- Trouble falling asleep: this can result from overstimulation or lack of a bedtime routine.
How can I improve my baby’s sleep?
To help your baby sleep better, here are some helpful tips:
- Create a bedtime routine: a calming ritual like reading a story or singing a lullaby helps them relax and signals bedtime.
- Create a sleep-friendly environment: ensure your baby’s room is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature (don’t overheat the room! The ideal baby room temp in winter is 18–20°C).
- Encourage self-soothing: put your baby to bed while drowsy but still awake so they aren’t surprised to wake up alone or in a different place.
- Respond gently to cries: soothe your baby with your voice or a gentle touch without immediately picking them up, to help them fall back asleep on their own.
If sleep problems persist, consult a pediatrician for tailored advice.
Psst: check out our practical guides and our masterclass on baby sleep led by Héloïse Junier, child psychologist and author, on the May app.
Health and medical care
It’s recommended to continue monthly check-ups until 6 months to monitor development, update vaccines, and detect any early health issues.
Practical tips:
- Prepare for appointments: write down questions to ask your doctor and bring your baby’s health record to track progress.
- Observe developmental signs: notice how your baby grasps objects, crawls, or interacts. If you suspect any delays, speak to your doctor.
Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.
Vaccines this month
By now, your baby has received several mandatory vaccinations (DTP, pertussis, Hib, hepatitis B, pneumococcus, and MMR). However, there’s one more to add: the meningococcal C vaccine.
At 5 months, your baby can also receive the meningococcal B vaccine, though it’s not mandatory. Once again, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider with any questions.
Common illnesses at 5 months
At 5 months, babies can be prone to many childhood illnesses like bronchiolitis, due to their still-developing immune systems. Fortunately, most illnesses are completely harmless when treated.
If you notice any signs of illness (respiratory, digestive, or other): head to your pediatrician’s office 😉
In conclusion, at 5 months, your baby is going through a fascinating developmental phase, marked by motor and cognitive milestones and the beginning of food diversification.
–
Photos: LeylaCamomile | astrakanimages | alinabuphoto | margaritak4 | belyaaa
This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.
