Your 5-Month-Old Baby: Everything Goes in the Mouth, and They Eye Your Plate

Their foot, the corner of the blanket, the rattle handle, your finger, the strap of your bag: at 5 months, whatever baby grabs ends up in the mouth. This is not greed. For a 5-month-old baby, the mouth is an exploring tool as precious as the hands.

The US CDC publishes milestones at 4 and then 6 months, but not at 5. At 5 months, then, you mostly check that the skills of 4 months are firmly in place, and watch how baby is heading towards those of 6 months.

Why everything ends up in the mouth

The CDC lists, among the 6-month milestones, putting objects in the mouth to explore them, alongside reaching for a toy they want. Between 4 and 6 months, the Quebec public health institute (INSPQ) describes a baby who grasps palm-sized objects, holds them, often drops them and brings them to the mouth. Baby also understands that their actions have effects: shaking the rattle makes noise.

The CDC in fact encourages letting baby explore this way, with safe objects. The whole issue comes down to one question: what is within reach of their hand?

Coins, almonds, scalding tea: what lies within reach

The CDC sets three limits: nothing sharp, nothing hot, nothing small enough to choke on. In a Moroccan home, that points to a few usual suspects: a 1-dirham coin fallen from a pocket, almonds or chickpeas on the coffee table, a date stone, a bracelet bead, a button. Go round the living room on all fours, at baby's height: you will see what baby sees.

As for hot things, it starts with the glass of tea. With baby on your lap, one quick movement of their hand is enough to knock it over. Drink it when baby is settled elsewhere, and keep glasses and teapot out of reach of their arms. And if baby swallows a product or medicine, call the Poison Control Centre (0801 000 180, toll-free) or 141.

Drooling, swollen gums: is it a tooth already?

Maybe. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) places the start of teething most often between 4 and 7 months, beginning with the two middle incisors, top or bottom. The signs are modest: mild irritability, a slight rise in temperature, a lot of drool, wanting to bite something hard, swollen and tender gums. A fever above 38.3 °C does not come from teeth: take baby to the paediatrician then.

To soothe, rub the gum with a clean finger, or give a teething ring, which the AAP recommends in firm rubber; our teething rings shelf offers several, so check the material on the product page. The AAP advises against frozen rings, which are too hard, numbing gels, which must never be used, and homeopathic tablets, with no proven benefit. The rest is in our article on teething.

From the shop

Safe things to chew on

A teething toy and spoon, two easy-to-grip rattles and a play mat for the floor: something to keep baby's mouth and hands busy. Check the recommended age and the condition of toys before each use.

• Tiny LoveSustain teething toy – Tiny Love200 DHView product
• −34 %Babymoov2-in-1 silicone teething spoon, beige – Babymoov59 DHinstead of 90 DHView product
• −48 %Pasito a PasitoÉlodie star rattle, pink – Pasito a Pasito156 DHinstead of 300 DHView product
• Tiny LoveThomas the Rabbit vibrating travel toy – Tiny Love200 DHView product
• −48 %Play & GoSoft Sophie la Girafe play mat – Play & Go338 DHinstead of 650 DHView product
• The whole aisle · Baby activity toys21 products online, delivered anywhere in Morocco.Open the aisle

Products sold by La Maison du Bébé, publisher of this magazine. Prices as of 12 October 2026; please check the product page.

Baby stares at your meals: ready to eat?

Baby follows the spoon with their eyes, opens their mouth when you eat, reaches for your bread. This interest is real, but it is not enough.

The UK's NHS describes three signs that appear together, usually around 6 months: baby sits up holding the head steady; coordinates eyes, hands and mouth to look at food, pick it up and put it in their mouth alone; and swallows instead of spitting out. Conversely, chewing fists, waking more at night or asking for more milk does not prove baby is ready.

In France, complementary feeding can start between 4 and 6 months, according to the recommendations taken up by the French Society of Paediatrics; the NHS starts it at around 6 months. At 5 months, you are in the zone where the two views cross: decide with your paediatrician, by observing your baby. If you are thinking of letting baby feed themselves by hand, read our article on baby-led weaning.

Rolling both ways, even at night

Between 4 and 6 months, baby learns to roll over alone (INSPQ). To help, the CDC suggests placing a toy slightly out of reach, when baby is on the tummy or on the back.

At night, baby may find themselves on the tummy. Always put baby to sleep on the back; if they roll alone in both directions, there is no need to put them back on the back each time, says the AAP, provided the cot stays empty: no blanket, pillow, soft toy or bumper.

As for falling asleep, Naître et grandir notes that around 5 or 6 months, tired signs become easier to read. Some babies then accept being put down still awake and fall asleep alone. Others need to be rocked or fed to sleep, which is not a problem. If baby does not fall asleep after 15 to 20 minutes, try again a little later. Ritual ideas await in our article on settling baby gently to sleep.

Mouth games, mirror games

Among the 6-month milestones, the CDC lists raspberries (sticking out the tongue and blowing), little squeals and turn-taking sound exchanges. Answer in the same tone: it is a conversation. The CDC also suggests looking every day at a book with colourful pictures, singing, naming what baby is looking at, and letting baby gaze at themselves in a mirror.

At the next appointment

Starting solids, teeth, sleep: note your questions for the next appointment, and check in Morocco's vaccination schedule what is planned. Next month, sitting up and first spoonfuls, with your 6-month-old.