It's hard to imagine a parent who doesn't sneak a sideways glance now and then at a friend's baby or one she sees in the grocery store, checking to see how her own stacks up. When you hear about a baby who seems more advanced in one area or another, it's natural to worry – or at least wonder – whether your own child is "okay."

Not that this kind of thinking is ultimately very useful. Every baby grows and develops at his or her own pace. Especially around the 6-month mark, physical and speech-related milestones can vary significantly from child to child.

If you have concerns about your baby, it's a better idea to learn about the normal timeline for development than to use other babies as reference marks. Even then, milestone charts are just a general guide. Your baby may deviate from the timeline because he or she is temporarily focusing on one skill rather than another or because he or she just needs a little extra time.

Take comfort in knowing that even if your baby seems to lag in one area, the chances of a developmental delay aren't very high. But trust your instincts, too – if you're still worried, call your baby's doctor.

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