Week-by-week library · 5 months old
Month 5: your checklist
Quick answer
What should I actually do at 5 months old?
A quieter logistics month; a good time to catch up on anything that slipped. 3 concrete tasks below, grouped by what they're for.
What's going on this week
Many families find month five a comparatively steady stretch between the four-month sleep shift and the six-month milestones around solids and mobility. It is a reasonable week to catch up on anything from the earlier checklist that got missed.
Your checklist
Appointments & paperwork
- Review your paperwork folder (birth certificate, SSN card, insurance confirmation) and confirm nothing is still outstanding.
Household & gear
- If you have not baby-proofed low cabinets and outlets yet, this is a good month to get ahead of mobility before it arrives.
Partner care
- Plan one actual break for her this month, even a few hours, that is not contingent on the baby cooperating.
Sourced to
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
Last reviewed by the First Dad Guide editorial team.