This article describes the skills and growth targets for 6-month-old infants.

Physical and motor-skill markers:

• Able to bear almost all weight when supported in a standing position
• Able to hold own bottle (but many babies won't do it, or will do it only for short periods)
• Able to lift chest and head while on stomach, bearing the weight on hands (often occurs by 4 months)
• Able to pick up a dropped object
• Able to roll from back to stomach
• Able to sit in a high chair with a straight back
• Beginning of teething
• Increased drooling
• Should have doubled birth weight (birth weight often doubles by 4 months, and it would be cause for concern if this hasn't happened by 6 months)

Sensory and cognitive markers:

• Begins to fear strangers
• Begins to imitate actions
• Begins to realize that if an object is dropped, it is still there and just needs to be picked up
• Can locate sounds not made directly at the ear level
• Enjoys hearing own voice
• Makes sounds (vocalizes) to mirror and toys
• Makes sounds resembling one-syllable words
• Prefers more complex sound stimulation
• Recognizes parents
• Starts to imitate sounds
• Vision is between 20/60 and 20/40

Play recommendations:

• Imitate words such as "mama" to help baby learn language
• Play peek-a-boo
• Provide an unbreakable mirror
• Provide large, bright-colored toys that make noise or have moving parts
• Provide paper to tear
• Speak clearly
• Start naming parts of the body and the environment
• Use body movements and actions to teach language
• Use the word "no" infrequently