Week 24 old
Week 24: your baby is about 6 months old. Milk still leads, solids may be starting, and sleep is consolidating. Here's what's typical.
In short
At 24 weeks (around 6 months), most babies take 24-32 oz of milk a day, sleep about 12-15 hours total with 2-3 naps, and many are ready to begin solid foods.
🍼 Feeding
Milk is still the main nutrition: about 24-32 oz of formula a day (roughly 6-8 oz, 4-5 times), or breastfeeding 4-6 times. If you're starting solids, offer 1-2 small "meals" of single-ingredient purees or soft finger foods after a milk feed, not instead of one.
😴 Sleep
About 12-15 hours total: roughly 9-11 hours overnight plus 2-3 naps (around 3-4 hours of daytime sleep). Wake windows are typically 2-3 hours. Always back to sleep on a firm, flat surface with no pillows, bumpers, or loose bedding.
What's happening this week
- •Around now, many babies sit with little or no support for short stretches and may rock on hands and knees.
- •By the 6-month range, lots of babies roll both ways and push up on straight arms during tummy time.
- •Many babies babble with consonants ("ba," "da," "ga") and turn toward voices and new sounds.
- •Around this age, babies often reach for objects and pass a toy from one hand to the other.
- •Many show more interest in food, watching you eat and opening their mouth when a spoon comes near.
Milestones to keep in mind
- ✓The next CDC checkpoint is the 6-month checkup — milestones are a range, not a weekly schedule, so don't worry if your baby hasn't hit every one this week.
- ✓Around 6 months, many babies sit propped on their hands, roll over, and respond to their own name — some sooner, some later.
- ✓Many babies begin showing solid-food readiness signs: good head control, sitting with support, and reaching for food.
- ✓Bring any specific concerns to the 6-month visit, where your pediatrician will check development, growth, and feeding.
Growth
💡 Tip for this week
If you're starting solids this week, introduce one new single-ingredient food at a time and wait 2-3 days before the next, so any reaction is easy to spot. Offer common allergens (like peanut and egg) early and often once solids are going well, unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
⚠️ When to call your pediatrician
Call your pediatrician for a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, fewer wet diapers than usual or signs of dehydration, no weight gain, not bringing hands to mouth or reaching for objects, not responding to sounds or your voice, or if your baby seems very stiff or very floppy. Trust your gut and ask if anything feels off.
Frequently asked
How much should a 6-month-old eat?
Milk is still the main source of nutrition — about 24-32 oz of formula a day, or breastfeeding 4-6 times. If you've started solids, those are small extras (1-2 tiny meals a day), not replacements for milk feeds yet.
Is my baby ready to start solids at 24 weeks?
Many babies are ready around 6 months if they can hold their head steady, sit with support, show interest in food, and bring objects to their mouth. Check with your pediatrician, and start with single-ingredient foods one at a time.
How much should a 6-month-old sleep?
Most babies this age sleep about 12-15 hours total — roughly 9-11 hours overnight plus 2-3 naps — with wake windows of about 2-3 hours between sleeps.
Looking for the bigger picture? See the month 6 overview →
General guidance, not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace — talk to your pediatrician with any concerns.