Activity increases for a baby during the fifth month of life. Their attention span lengthens to one and a half or two hours with social contact. Self-exploration begins. Babies this age want things close enough to them to feel, hold, turn, shake, and taste. They grasp and suck on fingers, toes, and toys. Howls of frustration may occur if they do not get to explore what they want. New muscular and social skills develop every day. Their energy seems endless, even late at night. Five month old babies are natural early risers in the morning with an eagerness to learn and an immediate desire for attention. Feedings are valuable social times. New growth and developmental milestones occur by the end of 5 months.

The 5-month-old's motor skills include:
* Displaying vigorous activity of all limbs.
* Sitting supported for long periods, up to 30 minutes, or sitting alone momentarily.
* Begins playing with feet and knees. Shows further exploration of body parts.
* Skills like handling, reaching, and fisting are tried with objects.

The 5-month-old's language skills include:
* Experimenting with own sounds after hearing others.
* Understanding and responding to own name.
* May try vocalizing for attention.

The 5-month-old's mental abilities include:
* Eyes coordinating with hands for grasping and manipulating objects.
* Turning head to sound or to calling of her name.
* Willfully imitates sounds and movements.

The 5-month-old's social traits include:
* Displaying fear, annoyance, displeasure, frustration, and anger.
* Clinging when held.
* Lagging interest in breast-feeding.
* Alert at least half of waking hours.
* Frolicking when played with.

Babyproof the house before your baby really becomes mobile. Never allow the baby to feed himself. The baby shouldn't be given a bottle to hold in the crib while going to sleep or even if they are awake. Be sure your baby receives its third DTP immunization now.

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