4-6 months: Reaching further, connecting more

Between four and six months, your baby becomes more active and curious, gaining more control over their body and connecting more with the people around them.

Every baby develops at their own pace, so these are signs to watch for rather than a strict timeline. If you are concerned about development or your baby loses a skill, speak with your baby's healthcare professional. For babies born early, ask how corrected age applies.

Continue safe sleep practices. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, in a clear, firm, flat space. Once your baby can roll both ways on their own, you don't need to turn them back onto their back if they roll during sleep.

Baby practicing sitting with support during playtime

Rolling, Pushing & Sitting

As strength and control develop, babies may start rolling over, pushing up on their arms during tummy time, and sitting with support. Some babies roll early, while others move on to sitting first.

How you can help

Give your baby supervised floor time on a firm, flat surface to practice. Place toys just unreachable to encourage reaching and rolling. Support sitting with your hands or a pillow, staying close in case they tip. If your baby gets sleepy, move them to their safe sleep space on their back.

Recommended products

Baby Reaching and Grasping Toy

Reaching, Grasping & Exploring

Growing hand control may help babies reach for toys with more purpose, grasp and hold objects, and bring things to their mouth to explore. They're discovering more about the world through touch, movement, and their senses.

How you can help

Offer toys that are easy to grasp and safe for mouthing. Place objects within reach to encourage stretching and grabbing. Let your baby explore at their own pace—mouthing is a normal part of how they learn and explore.

Recommended products

Baby smiling and laughing with a parent during playtime

Smiling, Laughing & Connecting

Smiles and laughter may come more easily as babies become more interested in familiar faces. They may start reaching for you or getting excited when you enter the room as they become more interested in interacting with the people around them.

How you can help

Make eye contact, smile, and talk to your baby often throughout the day. Give them time to respond before moving on to the next thing. Follow their lead—if they're enjoying an interaction, keep it going; if they look away, that's their cue for a break.

Recommended products

Baby Looking and Tracking a Moving Toy

Looking, Tracking & Discovering

As vision develops, babies may follow moving objects more smoothly, study their hands, and look closely at nearby toys with growing interest. They may also become more interested in the people and things around them.

How you can help

Move a toy slowly from side to side or up and down for your baby to track. Give them time to look at and study objects on their own, without rushing to the next activity. Rotate toys occasionally to keep things interesting.

Recommended products

Baby making sounds while interacting with a parent

Babbling & Making New Sounds

Your baby may start making more sounds, babbling, and responding when you talk to them. They may squeal, laugh, or make sounds back and forth with you. Some babies are more vocal than others, and that's normal too.

How you can help

Talk, sing, and make sounds with your baby throughout the day. When they make a sound, pause and give them a chance to respond. Copy their sounds and facial expressions to encourage back-and-forth interaction.