Development
These skills tend to be quite variable. But at this age the typical child:

• Rolls over.
• Shows no head lag when pulled to a sitting position.
• Sits with support or leans forward on his hands when placed in the sitting position.
• Bears some weight on the lower extremities.
• Reaches for and grasps objects; by the end of six months may transfer objects from hand to hand.
• May be able to hold his own bottle.
• Looks at and may approach tiny objects with a raking motion.
• Plays with his feet.
• Turns to sounds that originate from out of his immediate sight.
• Shows signs of stranger anxiety.
• Laughs, squeals, takes the initiative in vocalizing and babbling at others; blows bubbles, imitates such things as a cough, a "raspberry;" may play at making sounds while alone or with others.
• Shows displeasure at the loss of a toy.

Safety
Injury prevention is proactive. Consider the following:

• Use car safety restraints.
• Check the home for all accident hazards, sharp objects, table edges, medicines and household poisons.
• Protect the infant from hot surfaces and liquids.
• Avoid using appliances with dangling electrical cords.
• Do not leave the child on the bed unattended.
• Do not use a walker.
• Use gates on stairs.
• Insert plastic plugs into outlets.
• Keep plastic bags, balloons, and wrappers out of reach.
• Never leave the baby unattended in the tub.

Parenting
These activities provide good examples for modeling important skills and encourage your child to grow in a healthy and happy way:

• Encourage play with age-appropriate toys.
• Increase interaction with your child by playing games with one another.
• Stimulate your child's speech by talking to them and by responding to their sounds.

Nutrition
Good nutrition is essential to a growing body. Tips include:

• Do not place your child in the crib with a bottle.
• Try not to use milk or juice as a pacifier.
• Start to offer a cup for juice or water.
• Iron fortified cereal, fruits and vegetables should be added to the diet at this time. Meals may be given two to three times a day.
• Start fluoride supplementation if indicated.

Behavior
Childhood behavior may go from one extreme to another. This age is no exception:

• Infants may resist going to sleep due to separation anxiety. If this occurs, a favorite toy or possession may prove helpful.
• It is not unusual for the child to have intermittent waking at this age.
• Changing diapers can become more difficult as the baby becomes more active. Use distraction with a toy or by talking to your baby.
• Stranger anxiety may become more pronounced.

Health
Health maintenance is essential to a child's well-being:

• Teething may begin at this age. Discuss this with your provider.
• Shoes are not necessary at this age.
• Discuss fluoride supplementation with your provider.

Resources
The following items may be useful:

• Brazelton, T. Berry. Doctor and Child. Dell, 1978.
• Christopherson, Edward R. Little People: Guidelines for Common Sense Child Rearing
• Finston, Peggy M.D. Parenting Plus. Penguin Books, NY, 1990.
• Larson, David E. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. 2nd Ed. William Morrow & Co., Inc., NY, 1996.
• Samuels, Mike. The Parent's Guide to Baby and Child Medical Care. Simon & Schuster, NY, 1991. Well Child Book. Summit, 1982.
• Schmidt, Barton, MD. Your Child's Health (Bantam Books)