Your mini is ready to explore more tummy time than ever, which should now pay dividends! Now is a crucial month as your baby reaches developmental milestones (like beginning solids or sitting unaided!) this coming month 6. Make this transitional time go as smoothly as possible by setting them on a schedule with regular sleeping, eating and play times throughout. Here’s what else is worth noting in month five about their health and growth:
Related Article: Five month baby milestones
Your baby may now be eating more efficiently and are starting to consume a bit more at each feeding, too. Remember when doing combination feeding that formula takes slightly longer for digestion than breast milk does; make adjustments as necessary based on this factor.
Next month is when solids will begin for you and baby! Even though your infant may seem ready to sample food immediately, wait a bit until month 6 when their digestive systems will be better equipped to process solid foods. But if you want to jump right in right away, reading up on baby led weaning principles and when purees should be introduced now can make this milestone less daunting – take your own path; whatever feels right to you!
Similar Topic: What you should know to safely introduce solids with your baby
AAP and La Leche League (LLL) recommend providing 5-month-old babies with this feeding schedule and amounts:
Breast milk: 5 to 7 ounces every 3-4 hours Formula milk: 4-6 ounces every 4-5 hours For further reading: The 5-month-old Baby Feeding Schedule and Amounts, visit here
Are You Distracted When Breastfeeding or Bottle Feeding
Does your 5-month-old infant seem disengaged when breastfeeding or bottle feeding? Distracted feeding becomes especially prevalent between months 3 and 5, as their vision improves, they want to play and interact more, and want to explore their surroundings more actively. La Leche League notes this is normal and developmentally appropriate but still frustrating at times; If feeding sessions take longer to finish than they used to or you worry they are not receiving sufficient milk supply, here are a few strategies you can try help your little one stay focused during these times of transition if this persists – here’s more information to keep baby focused during each feeding session:
How to avoid distracted feeding.
Feed or nurse your infant in a calm, dark room free from distractions; while playing soft music or white noise. Also consider using a nursing cover when feeding in order to limit his/her field of vision; breastfeed while wearing your child in a baby carrier (referral needed), or standing and swaying while breastfeeding/nursing your infant (also referral needed).
5-Month Old Baby Weight
For infants up to 2 years of age, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests using World Health Organization weight and length charts as an excellent reference source.
The World Health Organization’s growth charts for babies aged 0-2 years reflect what would be considered standard practice among predominantly breastfed infants, according to WHO charts. According to this organization, WHO charts reflect growth patterns among children who had predominantly been breastfed for at least 4 months at 12 months and still being breastfed by their 12th month if breastfeeding benefits both mother and baby; The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends continuing breastfeeding up until at least 24 months as long as this helps both parties involved – while some believe further breastfeeding might benefit both mother and child as long as both parties benefit both mothers as much.
How Much Should an Average 5-Month Old Weigh? Your 5-month-old infant is still experiencing rapid development at this age; in most cases they should have already doubled their birthweight by month 5, as they continue gaining approximately one to 1.25 pound each month! Weight gains should slow slightly by 6 months but only gradually!
According to WHO data, an average 5-month-old baby boy in his 50th percentile weighs 16 pounds 9 ounces (7.5 kilograms), while female babies weigh 15 pounds 3 ounces (6.9 kilograms). So what factors impact an infant’s weight at five months old?
Weight of Your Newborn
Birth Assignment of Gender: Males tend to gain weight more rapidly than females.
Daily milk intake: How much your child drinks at each feeding can have a direct effect on his or her weight.
Activity Levels: If your baby has just learned how to roll over or sit up on their own this month, their activity levels could play a factor in influencing their weight as physical exercise builds strong muscles and bones.
Related Article: Activities for 5-month-old babies: Fostering Their Development
5.-Month-Old Baby Length
By month 5, expect that your infant has grown approximately an additional 0.8 inch (2 centimeters).
How long is an average 5-month-old?
According to WHO: At 5 months, 50% male children fall within 26 inches (65.9 cm), whereas 50% female babies can measure 25 1/4 inches long (64 cm).
What factors contribute to a 5-month-old baby’s length?
Length (or height) can be hereditary: parents’ and other family members’ height has a strong effect on future height. Nutrition, physical activity and sleep also play a part – one study found that babies tend to grow after longer naps and nighttime rest periods.
At each well-check, your pediatrician will measure and plot your child’s weight, length and head circumference on an identical growth chart that they’ve been using from birth. Growth charts demonstrate how your baby has changed since being born compared to similar babies of his or her age group.
Say your baby falls within the 75th percentile for weight, which indicates that 25% of babies of similar age and gender weigh more, while 75% weigh less. All babies grow at their own rate and can remain healthy whether in the 5th or 95th percentiles – your pediatrician will review his or her overall growth pattern or curve to ensure it continues to show steady, sustained development over time.
Girls between birth to 24 months, weight for length. When using WHO growth charts as reference.
WHO Growth Charts provided by CDC show weight for length from birth through 24 months for boys born between 1995-1999.
Growth Spurts
Although your baby might seem to grow steadily, some stages may be more noticeable than others. After experiencing noticeable spikes during months three and four, month six may see another big surge. But every baby develops at their own rate so don’t be surprised if he or she seems more hungry or fussier than normal at 5-months old!
Extra irritability and hunger may indicate growth spurts, which usually last several days up to one week.
Reverse cycling, an indicator of potential growth spurt, occurs when your child begins eating more at night than during daytime hours; if this seems like they’re making up lost calories when sleeping instead of just becoming distracted during feeds during daytime (our tips above can help!) this could indicate growth spurt or simply make-up time during feedings during sleep hours (making up time when usually sleeping could just mean they needing additional restorative calories!)
Babies under six months will still require at least one nighttime feeding; if your infant is awakening every two hours in an infant-like fashion (similar to newborn babies), something might be amiss; consult with your pediatrician immediately.
When should I worry about my 5-month-old’s growth?
Your 5-month-old should visit their pediatrician next month, when a well-check will assess his or her weight, length and head circumference to analyze any trends that appear in these measurements. In general terms, if their doctor notices anything concerning about your baby’s development they’ll let you know; but you can keep tabs at home too by keeping an eye on whether he/she cannot hold their head up, cannot sit without assistance, or cannot bring both hands to their mouth; if any such signs do surface then definitely discuss it with their pediatrician before making assumptions or assumptions on these measurements!
5-month-old Baby Sleep
At five months, many babies begin settling down into more regular sleeping patterns. Each infant may differ, but you might notice yours becoming more active and awake during the day – particularly morning hours – while tiring easily at napping time or bedtime (thanks to all their physical milestones being met, this should hopefully mean improved rest for both mom and dad!).
Still, a 5-month-old infant should receive between 12-16 hours of uninterrupted rest each 24 hour period – usually composed of both nighttime slumber and around three daytime naps during the day.
What baby sleep looks like at 5 months:
Your baby may already be taking three or four naps per day and could soon be ready to drop the fourth nap, and here are a few indicators he/she might be ready: they wake only once during the night to feed; remain awake between 1.5-2.75 hours during each waking period and appear alert during daytime hours (1.5-2.5% awake time at most); sleep for 1.5-2.5% or so before needing another sleep nap in between each waketime; may only wake once to feed; may remain alert 1.5-2.5 hours before needing another nap — here are a few indicators as to when this might happen:
How to know it’s time to drop a nap:
Your child has noticed their regular nap length is getting significantly shorter over the course of multiple consecutive weeks; or has rejected their last nap altogether on multiple consecutive occasions; and/or you are experiencing difficulty falling asleep at night or rising too early each night.
An imbalance between daytime sleep and nighttime rest can have detrimental consequences, which is why creating and adhering to a consistent 5-month-old sleeping schedule (check this example) may prove helpful at this age. For any other inquiries or guidance please speak with your pediatrician.
Read: Does My Five Month-Old Need Sleep?
Your 5-month-old should require between five to eight wet diapers every day, with at least one or more poops expected each day – although every baby’s regularity varies widely; you should know what’s normal for your little one by now! One or two missed days generally isn’t cause for alarm but if stool frequency becomes an issue it wouldn’t hurt to check-in with their pediatrician immediately.
Before your infant starts eating solid foods next month, breastfed babies’ stool consistency should be soft and slightly runny; while for formula-fed infants it should resemble paste-like consistency without becoming hard. If hard, formed or pellet-shaped stools occur regularly for your little one it could indicate constipation – consult your pediatrician about what steps might work to solve it.
Caring for a 5-month-old
If you miss your 4-month well-check, know that it’s okay to reschedule whenever needed–regular pediatric visits help establish a baseline of care that allows doctors to understand what’s normal for your little one and anything out of the ordinary. There will also be another well-check at month 6 with additional vaccinations in order to protect him or her against disease and illness.
Bathtime mes At this age, daily baths may no longer be essential; according to the AAP’s recommendation of no more than three per week in their first year; with each bath lasting only 10-15 minutes in total. But baths before bed can make for a relaxing way for both of you!
At five months, there can be several common concerns related to taking care of a 5-month-old infant, from teething and fevers to babyproofing and feeding issues. Here is some general guidance about caring for them properly.
Teething
Your baby might begin showing the initial symptoms of teething this month if they have yet to do so in earlier months (4 to 7). Most babies start teething between months 4-7.
Teething symptoms: for both infants and parents:
general fussiness, reddening cheeks (one may be affected more), extra saliva/drooling and mild congestion accompanied with mild fevers are among them.
Diarrhea from extra saliva
Teething hurts–and your baby will make that clear to you loud and clear! There are some safe methods available to you and your little one to help reduce teething pain, such as offering them wooden or silicone teething rings to chew on, providing cold wet washcloths to suck on or gently massaging their sore gums with your (clean) finger to soothe any sore spots on their gums or simply massaging their sore spots during nap or night sleeps with white noise to distract them from pain
If your little one seems uncomfortable or distressed, speak to their pediatrician about providing infant pain reliever such as Tylenol; but ensure the correct dosing amounts based on his/her weight are given for maximum effectiveness.
Fevers Fever can be seen as an indicator that the immune system of a 5-month-old infant is functioning normally and, generally speaking, the best course of action would be keeping him or her hydrated and waiting it out until its effects dissipate on its own. But if fever symptoms have persisted longer than 24 hours and/or manifested with sore throat symptoms like runny nose running constantly or stiff neck with apparent severe headache symptoms (needles moving rapidly around neck area or difficulty sleeping or appearing lethargic), or difficulty sleeping patterns similar to what would normally occur; consult your pediatrician who can assess this and offer infant Tylenol when necessary.
Babies under 6 months should never take ibuprofen (Motrin). Additionally, children and teenagers under the age of 18 years should never receive aspirin due to its potential risk of Reye syndrome.
Babyproofing checklist
As your infant explores his new world and begins crawling, scooting and pulling up, now is an opportune time to begin babyproofing. Here’s our handy babyproofing checklist, to get you on your way!
Here is a checklist to get you started in babyproofing:
Keep all electronics with cords (e.g. monitor, sound machine) out of reach at least three feet from where your baby sleeps and tie up all blind and shade cords that may reach down into his or her sleeping area, such as blinds or shades. Remove low-hanging baby mobiles if your little one can pull himself up to reach them.
Keep all toys, blankets and stuffed animals out of baby’s crib
Secure all small household items such as paper clips, batteries and loose change that could present a choking risk in one safe location; as a general guideline a rule-of-thumb rule states anything small enough to fit inside of a toilet paper roll is likely considered a potential choking hazard.
Secure furniture that could tip (bookcases, bureaus and dressers) to the walls with wall anchors; add corner protectors for coffee tables that contain sharp corners; install baby gates to block off stairs; secure bathroom trash cans and cleaning supplies in their proper places; consider getting a toilet seat lock as well.
Secure all detergent and laundry pods to an area out of reach to protect them.
At five months, life can become routine – which may make us feel freer! With that regularity comes some breathing room – it may feel easier now that things have settled into an orderly routine and less panic is an aspect of mothering that feels easier! While it might be easy to fill every spare minute with tasks you deem “urgent”, like laundry and dishes – taking breaks, doing nothing or simply resting is something anyone has the freedom to do when needed – giving yourself control of when and what time your time off should take effect can help prepare mentally as you get set for what lies ahead; prevents panic at night by giving yourself control of when and what time to rest while baby sleeps!
But if you find yourself overwhelmed, or simply struggling through each day until bedtime, please reach out for professional assistance from mental health providers in order to address the symptoms that you’re experiencing. Postpartum depression may arise at any point within one year after giving birth; assistance is always available!