Healthy Start, Grow Smart

Your Five-Month -Old

Healthy Start, Grow Smart

Your Five-Month -Old
Prepared by

U.S. Department of A

U.S. Department of 

U.S. Department of Health an

2002

Healthy 

Grow Sm

Your Five-Mo
Here’s What’s Inside

Your Five-Month-Old ................................Questions from Parents about Medicines Safety Corner .............................................Avoiding Baby Bottle Tooth Decay ...........Is Your Baby Teething? .............................Safety and Your Baby’s High Chair ..........Tips about Your Baby’s Playpen ................

What’s It Like To Be Five Months Old? ....Your Baby’s Sleep ......................................Brain Development ...................................Help Your Baby To Explore .......................Stimulating Your Baby with Toys .............Interacting and Playing ............................Take Care of Your Back .............................

Information Resources for Families .........

AcknowledgmentsThis publication was an initiative of Laura Bush as the First Lady of Texasand sponsored by the Texas Department of Health. President Bush and Mrs.Bush have asked that this series of booklets be revised and distributed bythe U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Education and theU.S. Department of Health and Human Services.We would like to thank the Texas Department of Health for their cooperation and assistance in bringing this publication to families across the

United States. In addition, we recognize the contributions that Susan H.Landry, Ph.D., Craig T. Ramey, Ph.D. and many other individuals made inthe development of this magazine.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 1 

Your Five-Month-Old

Your five-mHe wakes himready to dive He doesn’t juexplore everymouth. He rlegs. He reacThese are wa

Your baby is excited because he has more to reach for things he wants. He is learninfeelings by the tone of your voice. He likeYou can have a lot of fun with your baby aexploring, growing and learning can even if he gets frustrated and fussy sometimes. movements and sounds over and over.
★ Keep medicine lids closed tightly.

★ If you are giving a prescription medic

as many days as the doctor says, even 

Many infant medications come with a meayou give your child EXACTLY the right dobuy special measuring devices in the drug that you know exactly how much medicat

When to call the doctor:

★ Your baby has a fever.★ Your baby has diarrhea.★ Your baby is vomiting repeatedly. If y

seems healthy, he should be OK. If hyour doctor. A lot of babies spit up, eburp. Spitting up usually involves brliquid or food.

★ Your baby is pulling at his ear and sc

fluid coming out of his ear.

★ Your baby refuses to eat.★ All of a sudden, your baby has troubl★ Your baby seems to be drowsy or less 

It is very important that your baby not beand can dehydrate quickly due to a fever, drink liquids. It is especially dangerous if of these symptoms at one time.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 2 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 3 

Questions from Parents about Medicines

My baby hasn’t been feeling well. It doesn’t seem to be serious.

Can I give him nonprescriptionmedicine or home remedies?Talk to your doctor before you giveyour baby any medicine. Somewon’t help. Others may be harmful. 

Some labels are hard to understand. Once the doctor has approved anonprescription medicine, ask the pharmacist at the grocery store or drugstore for help. You can ask questions at any time. You can ask for help evenafter you buy the medicine. Here are some tips to follow when you give any medicine to your baby:

★ Never give aspirin to a baby or a child with a fever. Giving aspirin can

cause a severe problem called Reye’s Syndrome.

★ Always give medications according to your doctor’s directions.★ Read the label completely and carefully.★ Do exactly what the label says to do unless your doctor directs you

otherwise.

★ Always give your baby the correct dose of medicine.★ Never give medicine for a longer time than the label says.★ Never give medicine more frequently than the label says.★ Always keep medicine out of the reach of children.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 4 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 5 

Safety Corner

As your baby grows older, hewill become more active. He willmove around more and explorehis world. Keep him safe as hegrows and learns. Here are somedangers to watch out for:

★ Never leave your baby alone in a bath for even a few seconds. Never

leave your baby alone near any pool of water or even a bucket of water,no matter how shallow it is.

★ Never leave your baby alone on a high place, like a tabletop.★ Never leave your baby alone in a crib with the sides down. If he 

does ever fall and begins to act strangely in any way, call the doctorright away.

★ Never smoke around your baby. Be careful when you eat or drink hot

fluids while holding your baby.

★ Never give food to your baby that can 

be soft and runny. They should be grcan swallow them without chewing. when they start to eat different foods your baby, call your doctor.

★ Older brothers and sisters may be jea

hit, poke or squeeze him. They may ntime with your baby. Talk to them ablove them, too.

★ Watch your baby when he plays with 

may give your baby something harmtoo rough with your baby.

★ Make sure that your baby doesn’t gra★ Put plugs in all open electrical outlet★ Never leave your baby alone with a pe

child-friendly.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 6 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 7 

Avoiding Baby Bottle Tooth DecayBy now, you are enjoying your baby’s smile. You can help your baby

have a beautiful smile by taking care of his mouth before he gets his babyteeth. Even though his baby teeth will fall out, it is important to keepthem healthy. Healthy baby teeth lead to healthy permanent teeth.Before you can even see your baby’s teeth, they need care. Clean yourbaby’s mouth every day. Wipe it out with a soft clean cloth. This will helpremove germs and keep his mouth healthy.Protect your baby from the pain of “baby bottle tooth decay.” Always holdyour baby when feeding him. Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle.Formula or juice that stays in his mouth while he sleeps can harm hisbaby teeth. When his baby teeth appear, continue to gently wash themwith a soft cloth. Do not use toothpaste until he is about three years oldand able to spit it out.When he is about one year old, you can start to brush gently your baby’steeth with a soft, baby-size toothbrush.Your baby should get his first dental checkup when he is one year old. Youmay have questions about how to protect your baby’s teeth. If you havequestions, ask your doctor or dentist. 

Is Your Baby Teething

When w

Most babieteeth betwWatch for up in the lthis starts some discohim fussy. tender. He 

The two upper front teeth will probably be rest of his teeth will come in slowly. In timbaby teeth.Teething sometimes causes a temperatureof 100 degrees or more, call your doctor oneed treatment. Gently rubbing your baby’s gums with a ccloth can be soothing. You can also give ypacifier to chew on. Some teething rings are made to be chillgums may feel good and make him less fukind of pain reliever on his gums. These whelp much.
Safety and Your Baby’s High Chair

You want your baby to be safe. This means looking closely at the

things you buy for your baby. One thing your baby will need is a highchair. Your baby can start to use a high chair when he is able to sit up andis ready for solid food. Here are some tips from the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission on choosing a high chair and using it safely. 

Choosing a high chair:

★ High chairs should have a waist strap and another strap that goes

between the legs.

★ The straps should not be attached to the tray.★ The tray must lock securely.★ A buckle-on waist strap should be easy to use.★ High chairs should have legs spread far enough apart at the bottom

so that they do not tip over easily.

★ Look for a locking device on folding high chairs. The lock keeps the

chair from collapsing.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart

8 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart

9 

Using a high chair:

★ Always buckle your baby in. The strap

falling or sliding under the tray, whe

★ Never leave your baby alone when he ★ Lock the tray securely in place.★ Be sure that your baby’s hands are ou

lock the tray. 

★ Be sure there are no sharp edges that ★

You may give your baby something to 

chair’s tray.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 10 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 11 

Tips about Your Baby’s PlaypenA playpen can be a big help. You can have your baby in the same

room where you are working so that he will not be alone while you do whatyou need to do.You can also take the playpen outdoors with you. Make sure it is in a shadyand safe spot. Stay with your baby. Outside he can watch all kinds of thingsthat are going on, safely. You can talk to him about what he is seeing. 

Babies should only be in playpens for very short periods of time. Theyneed to spend time on the floor. They need time to explore while aparent watches. If you leave your baby in the playpen too long, he will let you know. Whenhe first gets tired of it, you can give him something new to play with. Hemay be content to remain there for a while longer.

Here are some playpen safety tips:

★ Make sure the mesh on the sides of th

smaller than 1/4 inch.

★ Make sure there are no tears, holes o★ Make sure the top rail cover has no te★ Playpens made of wood should have s

inches apart, or even closer.

★ Make sure screws and staples are firm

missing or loose.

★ When you set up your baby’s playpen

playpen are locked in place. A partialand harm your baby.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 12 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 13 

What’s It Like To Be Five Months Old?How I talk:

★ I like to watch other people make sounds. I try to make new 

sounds on my own.

★ I may say sounds like “ah-ah-ah,” “ee-ee-ee” and “oo-oo-oo.”★ I may babble to get attention.

How I grow:

★ I can sit with support.★ I explore my world with my eyes, fingers and mouth.★ I reach for things when I see them and am able to grasp them.★ When I’m lying down on my tummy, I can push myself up with my

arms. At the same time, I can turn my head to look around.

★ When I’m lying on my back, I may to

my toes.

★ If you hold me under my arms, I like 

up and down.

What I understand:

★ I know my name when someone says ★ I can tell the difference between stran★ I know familiar objects like my toys.★ I am discovering parts of my body.

How I respond: 

★ I like to watch other people’s faces.★ I like to smile and talk to myself whe★ I smile and make noises when I see a ★ I may stop crying when someone talk

★ I may cry when someone leaves or wh

away from me.
Your Baby’s Sleep

A five-month-old baby may sleep for longer periods of time, like

five to eight hours. But babies are individuals. Each baby has his ownsleep patterns. Babies are not always awake when they sound like they are. They can cryout and may make all kinds of noises in their sleep. Even if they wake upat night, babies may be awake for only a few minutes. They may fall asleepagain on their own.Don’t get up right away if you hear your baby at night. It’s best if yourbaby learns how to get back to sleep on his own. If your baby cries forseveral minutes, it’s time to respond. He could be hungry, wet, cold oreven sick. When you get up to take care of him, do it as quietly and quickly as youcan. Don’t give him any extra stimulation. Don’t talk or play with him.Don’t even turn on the light. He needs to learn that night is for sleeping.Your baby doesn’t care what time it is, as long as he gets what he needs.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 14 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 15 

Brain Development

Ththe whyouunientfor lea

★ Talking to your baby helps him to lear

start talking to him long before he caare in the car and at other times, toofor walks. Talk to him when you chanyou feed him.

★ Babies learn things at different rates. 

Some babies learn quickly. Others takconcerned, talk to your doctor. It’s alwbaby when he tries to learn. Make a blearn. This will help him. It will make 

★ Even at this young age, your baby wil

He will notice how you behave with o

★ Many babies and young children have 

Try to give your baby time to adjust t
Here are some things you can do with you

★ Get down on the floor with him and g

Sometimes, put the toy out of his reait. Other times, cover part of the toy wfind it. Be sure to make it fun so you

★

Talk to him and repeat the sounds h

you say “baa.” He will smile and lausound again.

★ Read a book to him every day, even if ★ Dance to music with him in your arm★ Sing children’s songs to him.★

Take him for a walk in his stroller or 

weather is nice. Talk to him about wh

★ Sit with him in your lap and show him ★ Show him toys of different colors.★ When he gets tired of playing or tryin

him. Let him know you love him and 

★ Babies love doing the same thing ove

repetition is an excellent way for you

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 16 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 17 

Help Your Baby To ExploreHere are a few things that will help him explore himself and the

world around him:

★ Hold your baby up in front of a mirror. Point out mommy and baby in

the mirror.

★ Hand your baby a toy, first to one hand and then to the other. He will

soon learn to pass the toy from one hand to the other.

★ Bounce a large ball up and down. Soon your baby can follow the ball

with his eyes.

★ Roll a ball toward a wall so that it hits and comes back. Your baby will

learn to watch for the ball to come back.

★ Help your baby to stand up by holding him under his armpits. Babies

will straighten their knees before they learn to relax them.

★ Sing songs when you are dressing or bathing your baby, or make up

rhymes about his eyes, nose and mouth.
Stimulating Your Baby with Toys

At five months of age, your baby is likely

to enjoy anything that he can push with hisfeet. He is also getting very good at reachingfor objects and grabbing them. He isinterested in exploring his body. He likes toyshe can touch, suck on, look at and chew. He likes to explore toys on his own, but heloves to explore them with you.

Your baby learns from playing. He likes to explore each toy just to get thefeel of it. He likes to take a toy and twist it, shake it and suck on it. He likesto bang it against other objects.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 18 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 19 

Here are a few things that will help him earound him:

★ Give your baby a roly-poly toy that c

over.

★ Put pictures in his crib or carriage. M

his reach. Hang something bright on 

★ Give him teething rings and plastic 

his toys cannot be broken. Make sucome off.

★ The toys should all be made of safe m

put them into his mouth. Make sure to swallow or choke on them.

★ Give him a toy that is brightly colore★ Give him toys that make a noise like 

him a ball with bells inside.

★ Let him play with toys that make mu

for him to play with or put in his mo

Sometimes babies are very happy playing like pots and pans.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 21 

Take Care of Your BacWith a baby in the house, you are d

bending and picking things up more oftenand cause injury.Think about taking care of your back. Havtake care of your baby and yourself.Staying physically fit is a great way to takyour stomach, legs, arms and back are usemuscles will help you avoid straining youAsk your doctor what exercises are best foand sitting up straight will help your backlearn to lift things without strain.

Here are some tips to help you prev

★ When possible, don’t bend over from 

baby. Instead, lower yourself by bendmuscles in your legs and buttocks to 

★ Lift your baby up slowly and smoothl

you can strain your back. 

★ Never twist your waist and bend at th★ Don’t try to lift something heavy any 

When you need to put something heastep stool or a ladder.

★ Hold heavy objects close to you. Don’

object. Carry your baby close to your 

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 20 Your Five-Month -Old

Interacting and Playing

It is important to make time to

play with your baby. How heunderstands the world comes fromplaying with other people. Two of hisbest playmates are his parents. Here aresome tips for playing with your baby:★ Sing nursery rhymes or songs to 

your baby.

★ Dance to music. Hold your baby firmly

in your arms or in a baby carrier anddance to music you both like.

★ Hold your face close to your baby’s. Copy his looks and his sounds.

Laugh with your baby.

★ Your baby is interested in his hands and feet. Touch his fingers and

toes while you talk to him or sing to him.

Dads and other caregivers should play with the baby, too. This is an excitingtime for your five-month-old. He needs to get to know all the people whowill take care of him besides his mom and dad.Babies need to be around different types of people. This helps babies learnabout themselves and the world. They need to learn to tell the differencebetween family members and strangers. There are many things brothers,sisters, grandparents and others can do to help your baby grow and learn.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 22 Your Five-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 23 

Information Resources for FamiliesFamilies who are enrolled in the WIC program (Special SupplementalNutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) can get informationon breastfeeding, formula feeding and nutrition at their local WIC office.Families eligible for WIC receive nutrition counseling and supplementalfoods such as baby formula, milk and cereal. To find the WIC office nearestyou, call your state health department or visit the WIC Web site atwww.fns.usda.gov/wic/. Many public libraries offer free access to theInternet and provide help for first-time users.For information about early childhood education initiatives, you maycontact the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit theWeb site at www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/teachingouryoungest/.To learn about child care options, you may contact the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, Child Care Aware by phone at 1-800-424-2246or visit their Web site at www.childcareaware.org/.For more information and resources on postpartum depression, breastfeeding and many other women’s health issues call The NationalWomen’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 (1-800-994-WOMAN). You can visit their Web site at www.4woman.org/.To learn more about breastfeeding, you may call La Leche League at1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site at www.lalecheleague.org/.

To learn more about free or low-cost healtcall the U.S. Department of Health and Huprogram at 1-877-KIDSNOW. You can also www.insurekidsnow.gov/. The American Association of Poison Contrcontrol hotline, 1-800-222-1222, should bnumbers. To learn more, you can visit the www.aapcc.org/.Families who cannot afford a car safety seHighway Traffic Safety Administration. Thresources that help low-income families pYou may call them at 1-800-424-9393 or vwww.nhtsa.dot.gov/.To learn more about safety, you can call thCommission at 1-800-638-2772 or you can www.cpsc.gov/.
Coming Next Month

Grandparents and Other Adults

Let Your Baby Feed Herself

Eating New Foods

Falling Asleep on Her Own

...and much more!

This pamphlet is distributed by the U.S. DepartmHealth and Human Services, and is in the publiit in whole or in part is granted. While permissinecessary, the citation should be: U.S. Departmof Education and U.S. Department of Health anGrow Smart, Your Five-Month-Old, WashingtonTo order copies of this publication,

write to: ED Pubs, Education Publications CenP.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398;or fax your request to: 301-470-1244;or e-mail your request to: edpubs@inet.ed.govor call in your request toll-free: 1-877-433-782service is not yet available in your area, call 1-Those who use a telecommunications device f(TTY), should call 1-800-437-0833.or order online at: www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.hThis publication is available to download on Web site at: www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/earlychbe available in Spanish on the Department oSeptember 2002.On request, this publication is available in alteprint, audiotape or computer diskette. For moDepartment’s Alternate Format Center (202) 2