Table of contents:
- Baby weight at 5 months
- How does baby sleep
- How to eat
- Baby development
- When to vaccinate the baby
- Games and activities
The baby at 5 months already has better posture and balance of the head and trunk. Therefore, when he is lying on his stomach, he is able to support himself on his hands and drag himself, and begins to sit without support. In addition, the baby already holds objects better with his hands and, out of curiosity, tries to bring the toys to his mouth.
At 5 months the baby usually sleeps around 14 to 15 hours a day. However, at this stage, he prefers to stay awake longer to play, so he naps less during the day and sleeps longer at night.
A baby at 5 months should be fed exclusively with breast milk and on demand, which is when the baby wants to breastfeed. However, when the mother cannot breastfeed, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends the use of infant formula, according to the pediatrician's guidelines.
It is important to remember that each baby has its own growth, sleep and speech speed. Therefore, if there are doubts about the baby's development, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.
Baby weight at 5 months
The following table indicates the weight range for a 5-month-old baby, as well as other parameters such as height and monthly weight gain, according to the World He alth Organization:
|
Boys |
Girls |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Weight |
6 to 9.3 kg | 5, 4 to 8.8 kg |
|
Stature |
61, 8 to 70 cm | 59, 8 to 68, 4 cm |
|
Head circumference |
41, 8 to 43, 4 cm | 40, 3 to 42, 7 cm |
|
Monthly weight gain |
600 g | 600 g |
It is important to remember that, if the baby presents values above or below the indicated values, it is recommended to consult the pediatrician so that the child's development can be evaluated.
How does baby sleep
A 5-month-old baby usually sleeps between 14 to 15 hours a day, between naps in the morning and afternoon, and sleep at night. At this age, the baby sleeps longer during the night, waking up on average once to feed or change a diaper.
It is also recommended that a 5 month old baby sleeps around 10 straight hours a night. However, some babies may have a harder time sleeping for many hours at a time or even "switching from day to night". Find out how many hours your baby needs to sleep.
To ensure a good night's sleep, it is important that the baby has the same bedtimes, as this helps to create a sleep routine. In addition, putting the baby still awake in the crib, teaches the child to “go” to sleep alone.
Other measures that help the baby sleep well are to leave the room dimly lit, reduce noise in the house and avoid using a cell phone or television close to bedtime. See other tips to help your baby sleep well.
How to eat
A baby at 5 months should be fed exclusively with breast milk and on demand, which is when the baby wants to breastfeed.
Breast milk provides all the nutrients and water that the baby needs to develop, so the World He alth Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months and, when possible, that breast milk complements the diet from baby to 2 years or more.
However, when the mother cannot breastfeed, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends the use of infant formula, according to the pediatrician's guidelines regarding the type and quantity.
In addition, babies who are fed infant formula also need to drink 700 ml of water, considering the water used in the preparation of the formula, and the pure water offered throughout the day. Here's how to give your baby water.
Baby development
From the 5th month onwards, the baby has a better head and trunk balance, being able to lean on his hands to roll and crawl. A 5-month-old baby also has better posture and, therefore, begins to sit without support and support with his hands when he falls to the sides.
A 5-month-old baby already better recognizes the voice, appearance and gaze of parents or guardians and family members, interacting with them through smiles or mouth noises. In addition, at this stage the baby can also hold objects and toys better with his hands and, out of curiosity, may try to take them to his mouth.
When to vaccinate the baby
A 5-month-old baby will only need to take the second dose of the Meningococcal C (conjugate) vaccine, against infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which can cause meningitis. See the symptoms and how to prevent meningococcal meningitis.
Games and activities
Plays are essential at this stage, as they help to improve the baby's bond with parents or guardians, in addition to stimulating communication, creativity, learning and the child's cognition.
Some games that can be played with a 5 month old baby are:
- Put the baby down on a soft mat with toys and objects, pointing and saying the name and encouraging him to pick up the toys;
- Sit with the baby on the floor, put different objects and toys inside a basket and offer him/her to explore, talking and explaining the name and function of each object to the baby.
Another easy game is the “magic mirror”, where you put the baby on your lap or sit on a rug, and let him explore his own image, saying the name and explaining the different parts of the body.
