5-Month-Old Baby: Feeding, Care, Sleep & Milestones

If life with your 5-month-old baby is starting to feel like an Olympic event, you’re not imagining it.

The constant comparisons, the unsolicited advice, the endless “shoulds” — it’s enough to make you want to throw your hands up and say, “Is there a medal for this?”

Good news: You don’t have to play that game.

Yes, tracking some 5-month-old baby milestones is important, but every baby moves at their own pace.

Check in with your pediatrician if you have concerns, but otherwise?

Deep breath. 😮‍💨

You’re doing just fine.

Now, let’s get into what’s actually happening with your 5-month-old and how to navigate this wild and wonderful phase.

In this article: 📝

What’s the ideal schedule for a 5-month-old?

At this stage, routines are more of a loose guideline than a strict schedule.

Your babe’s learning and changing rapidly, so flexibility is key.

A typical day might look something like this:

• Morning: Wake up, first feed, tummy time, sensory play, practicing rolling
  
• Mid-morning: Nap #1 (usually around 1-2 hours)
  
• Midday: Wake up, feed, more playtime (singing, exploring textures, practicing sitting with support)
  
• Afternoon: Nap #2 (hopefully another 1-2 hours)
  
• Evening: Wake up, feed, some chill activities (bath, books, baby massage)
  
• Nighttime: Bedtime routine (feed, cuddle, white noise on, lights off) and (fingers crossed) some solid sleep

Not every day will go to plan, but a rhythm can help both you and your baby feel more settled.

What can I do with my 5-month-old baby?

Stuck for ideas? Here’s what your 5-month-old might love:

• Tummy time (yes, still — it strengthens those muscles!) [1]
  
• Exploring different textures (soft fabrics, crinkly paper, anything that isn’t a choking hazard)
  
• Reading board books (high contrast images are a hit) [2]
  
• Playing peek-a-boo (their mind is blown every time)
  
• Singing and dancing (they don’t care if you’re off-key)

How many wet diapers for a 5-month-old?

At least 5-6 wet diapers a day means your baby is hydrated and getting enough milk or formula.

But what exactly counts as a “wet” diaper?

A good rule of thumb is that a well-soaked diaper feels about as heavy as 3 tablespoons of water when you compare it to a dry one.

If you’re using disposable diapers, you can check the wetness indicator (if your brand has one) or feel for a noticeable weight increase.

How many poops should a 5-month-old do?

Anywhere from multiple times a day to once every few days is normal, depending on whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed.

As long as they’re not straining or uncomfortable, all good.

💩 Get the scoop: Baby Poop: Your Expert Guide

How many naps for a 5-month-old?

Most 5-month-olds take 3-4 naps a day, gradually moving toward 2 longer naps by around 6 months.

But, as with everything baby-related, there’s a wide range of normal.

Some babies thrive on a solid three-nap schedule, while others still need a fourth catnap to make it through the day without a meltdown.

Here’s a typical 5-month-old nap schedule:

• Morning nap: 1-2 hours after waking up (usually the most predictable nap).
  
• Midday nap: Typically the longest, lasting 1-2 hours if all goes well.
  
• Afternoon nap: Another 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on wake windows.
  
• Optional catnap: If bedtime is still a long way off, some babies need a 30-45 minute power nap in the late afternoon.

😴 Sleep tight, baby: 5-Month-Old Sleep Schedule: Naps, Wake Windows & Sleep Regressions

What about wake windows for a 5-month-old?

By 5 months, babies usually stay awake for 2-2.5 hours between naps.

Keeping an eye on their wake windows (the time they stay awake before getting overtired) can help prevent meltdowns and make naps more successful.

A typical wake window schedule might look like this:

• First wake window: ~1.5-2 hours
• Midday wake window: ~2-2.5 hours
• Afternoon wake window: ~2.5 hours
• Pre-bedtime wake window: ~2.5-3 hours (usually the longest stretch)

What is a good bedtime for a 5-month-old?

Somewhere between 6:30-8:00 PM is ideal, depending on their last nap and how long they can stay awake before getting overtired.

What should a 5-month-old feeding schedule look like?

How much baby food for a 5-month-old? you ask. Here are some rough guidelines:

• Breastfeeding: At this point, you’ll probably be doing about 5 to 6 feeds a day, with between 5 and 6 ounces a pop. So that comes out at between 24 and 36 ounces in total for the day.
  
• Formula feeding: Formula-wise, you’re going for about the same amount: typically about 5 or 6 feeds with a grand daily total of between 24 and 36 ounces a day.
  
• Solids: Within the next month or so, you may want to start the solids journey. At this point, think anything mushy. This can mean puree you buy from the store, or some mashed-up veg. Some favorites are avocado, banana, and carrots. Also, you might want to get going on some baby cereal. Brown rice cereal is a good one to start.

How many night feeds for a 5-month-old?

It depends, but most 5-month-olds still need 1-2 night feeds.

Some sleep through the night (please share your secrets), while others still wake every few hours.

If your baby is waking more often, it could be hunger, teething, or just a sleep regression.

What should a 5-month-old baby be able to do?

Your babe is this close to some big milestones. Here’s what they might be working on: [3]

• Sitting: Yes, at about this point your baby is learning a very valuable lesson: how to use their bottom for sitting. Very beneficial, we must say. Your 5-month-old baby might be doing this via a few different methods. One option is they might get themselves up with the help of their hands. Another is they might make use of you or another surface of sorts to help them do the job. Once they’re up, however, they will likely be able to hang out in this position unsupported. Look at those muscles working!
  
• Rolling over: Typically from front to back. Tummy time can really help with this. Get your favorite playlist out and hang on the floor with them. Cute!
  
• Holding objects: Another very important life skill, so don’t be surprised if they’re very grabby right now. But fair warning: if they can grab it, it’ll probably end up in their mouth. They might take and hold a toy. Or they’ll just follow it with their eyes like a little puppy. [4]
  
• Chewing: On hands. Maybe on toys. Maybe on you. Yum.
  
• Teething (possibly): If they’re a little cranky and accompanying their bad temper with a fair amount of drool, they are likely teething. Teething rings of various descriptions are useful in this regard — and you may always want to have a tissue on hand. A surprising quantity of saliva can come from that little mouth.
  
• Smiling: Awww, stop it. It’s too much. Heart exploding stuff, really.
  
• Babbling: Okay. They’re gearing up for speech so that one day they can give you really wild excuses as to why they stayed out so late. At this point, their speech sounds a little like some sort of alien language unknown to humankind. Fascinating stuff.
  
• Recognizing familiar faces: And showing clear preferences — hello, clinginess! [5]
  
• Object permanence: This has likely set in at this point. They understand that there is a permanent world beyond what they experience. Woah. Trippy. Peek-a-boo, anyone? [6]
  
• Cause and effect: While many adults have still not quite learned this lesson, your 5-month-old baby is starting to develop an understanding of cause and effect. I drop my spoon on the floor; it’s no longer there. When it’s no longer there, mama seems to pick it up for me. And a game is born.
  
• And, sleeping! We don’t want to jinx it but your 5-month-old baby might just sleep through the night. The whole night. Not kidding.

Can a 5-month-old baby sit?

Some can sit briefly with support, but most won’t sit fully independently yet.

If they’re working on it, encourage it with supported practice and lots of cheering.

How do 5-month-old babies show love?

They’re not saying “I love you” just yet, but they show it by:

• Smiling when they see you
• Reaching for you
• Snuggling into you
• Making happy cooing noises when you talk

Is there a growth spurt at 5 months?

Yes — many babies go through a growth spurt around this time, which can mean extra feeds, disrupted sleep, and a bit more fussiness.

You and your 5-month-old baby

Time for some real talk.

Postpartum depression is a very real thing, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, reach out.

There are a range of different treatments available, from talk therapy to antidepressants to hormonal medication.

If you have support, making some time for yourself can do a world of good.

A little exercise, a nice meal, a chat with a friend — they all go a long way.

Feeling blue has no bearing on whether you’re a good parent or not.

If you’re feeling down, you don’t have to go it alone.

5-month-old baby: Your questions

We get it: you have a lot of questions.

Well, we’ve always got time, mama.

And if there’s anything we haven’t covered here, why not ask the other moms of 5-month-olds on Peanut?

(You might even find your new BFF! 😉)

What’s the average 5-month-old baby weight?

A 5-month-old baby typically weighs in at between 14.5 and 17 lbs — about half as heavy as a bar of gold and far more entertaining.

Do babies get more fussy at 5 months?

Yep, that’s a thing.

Growth spurts, teething, and developmental leaps can all make your 5-month-old extra clingy or cranky.

If your baby suddenly hates naps, wakes up more at night, or just seems off, they might be going through one of these phases. Keep offering comfort, and know that it will pass.

Do babies get clingy at 5 months?

Oh, absolutely.

Your baby is starting to realize you’re a separate person, and they don’t always love it when you leave.

This is normal and a sign of healthy attachment.

Lots of cuddles, playing together, and responding to their needs helps build security.

What words should a 5-month-old say?

No actual words yet, but lots of babbling, cooing, and experimenting with sounds.

They’re laying the groundwork for first words in a few months!

Your 5-month-old is growing, learning, and keeping you on your toes.

Whether they’re rolling, babbling, or just making you laugh with their weird little noises, you’re doing an amazing job.

Deep breath — you’ve got this, mama. 🫶

👶 Read next: 6-Month-Old Baby: Milestones & Development