Baby development at 3–6 months

Week by week in the Oror guide

In the app, the right card opens by itself every week, and you can tick what you have tried.

1. Week 14

   Discovering hands

   Your baby is starting to notice their hands and will try to reach for things. Every baby gets there at their own pace.

   Try this

   • Hold a rattle about 20 cm away and let your baby reach for it
   • Tummy time, 3–5 minutes after a nap
   • Sing while gently touching each finger
2. Week 15

   Reaching out

   Your baby tries to reach and grab toys. They often miss, but get a little more accurate every day.

   Try this

   • Hold a toy just within arm’s reach
   • Offer soft toys of different sizes

   You may notice

   • Reaches for a toy
   • Brings a toy to the mouth

   Good to know

   • Keep toys big enough that they can’t be swallowed

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t try to reach for things
3. Week 16

   Laughing out loud

   Many babies now laugh out loud. They love surprises and your funny faces.

   Try this

   • Play peekaboo
   • Gently bounce them on your knees

   You may notice

   • Laughs
   • Makes sounds when you talk

   Good to know

   • After the giggles, give them a quiet moment

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t smile or laugh
4. Week 17

   Four months old

   Many babies’ sleep changes around now — they wake more often. It passes. The doctor’s visit and vaccines are coming up.

   Try this

   • Tummy time — let them push up on their arms
   • The same bedtime routine every evening

   You may notice

   • Holds head steady without support
   • Pushes up onto elbows on the tummy

   Good to know

   • Put them down drowsy but still awake

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Still can’t hold the head up
   • Doesn’t focus on things
5. Week 21

   Sitting with support

   Your baby can sit briefly, leaning on their hands or cushions. Their back is getting stronger.

   Try this

   • Sit them on your lap facing the world
   • Propped up with cushions in front of toys

   You may notice

   • Sits leaning on the hands
   • Straightens the arms on the tummy

   Good to know

   • Stay close while they sit: they tip over easily

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Can’t hold the head up while sitting
6. Week 18

   Trying to roll

   Your baby may roll from tummy to back. From now on, never leave them alone on a raised surface.

   Try this

   • Put a toy to one side so they turn towards it
   • Lie on the floor and play together

   You may notice

   • Rolls from tummy to back
   • Pushes down with the legs when held standing

   Good to know

   • Change nappies on the floor, or keep one hand on your baby

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Body feels very floppy or very stiff
7. Week 19

   Everything in the mouth

   Mouthing is how your baby explores the world. It’s an important stage that needs watching.

   Try this

   • Offer a clean teether or rubber toy
   • Let them touch different textures

   You may notice

   • Explores things with the mouth
   • Passes a toy from one hand to the other

   Good to know

   • Keep small items, coins and batteries well away

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t hold on to a toy
8. Week 20

   Babbling “ba-ba”

   Your baby plays with sounds and “talks” with you. Your answers teach taking turns in a conversation.

   Try this

   • Repeat their syllables and wait for a reply
   • Read a picture book and name the things in it

   You may notice

   • Makes sounds like “ba” and “ma”
   • Answers when you talk

   Good to know

   • Speak slowly and simply

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t make sounds
9. Week 22

   Knowing their people

   Your baby tells familiar and unfamiliar faces apart. They may be wary of strangers.

   Try this

   • Show family photos and name everyone
   • Let new people come close slowly

   You may notice

   • Knows familiar people
   • Likes looking in a mirror

   Good to know

   • Don’t make them go to someone they’re not comfortable with

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t respond to family members
10. Week 23

    Cause and effect

    Your baby discovers that actions get results: shake it, and it rattles.

    Try this

    • Give a rattle and let them shake it
    • Push a soft ball back and forth together

    You may notice

    • Shakes a toy to hear the sound
    • Looks for a toy that has fallen

    Good to know

    • Let them repeat a game many times — that’s how they learn

    Talk to a doctor if

    • Shows no interest in toys
11. Week 24

    Ready for first foods?

    Many babies are ready to try solid food at around 6 months. Talk it over with your doctor.

    Try this

    • Let them sit at the table during family meals
    • Show how you eat with a spoon

    You may notice

    • Is curious about your food
    • Holds the head well while sitting

    Good to know

    • Signs of readiness: sits with support, is curious about your food, opens the mouth for a spoon

    Talk to a doctor if

    • Frequent forceful vomiting after feeds
12. Week 25

    First teeth

    Many babies cut their first teeth around now. Expect drooling and some fussiness.

    Try this

    • Offer a chilled (not frozen) teether
    • Gently rub the gums with a clean finger

    You may notice

    • Chews on everything
    • Drools more

    Good to know

    • From the first tooth, brush it with a soft brush

    Talk to a doctor if

    • High fever or diarrhoea — that’s not teething, see a doctor
13. Week 26

    Six months old

    Half a year! Many babies start solids now — just a few spoonfuls. Doctor’s visit and vaccines as scheduled.

    Try this

    • One new food every few days
    • Let them touch food with their hands

    You may notice

    • Rolls from back to tummy
    • Sits leaning on the hands

    Good to know

    • Feed only sitting upright, and never leave them alone while eating

    Talk to a doctor if

    • Doesn’t roll in either direction
    • Doesn’t respond to their name