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Your Baby at 6 Months
By: Julie
Your baby is halfway through the first year now. You have noticed major changes in your bundle. The fun is not over yet, you have many new things to go through together.
As you have noticed, your baby can do many new things. He/She is very responsive to sound. Moves with more ease. He/She can lift head on their own. He/She can roll from back to tummy and tummy to back. (If not yet He/She is getting ready to) Baby laughs when played with, shows more interest in toys. Your baby can now sleep anywhere from 6-8 hours in one span of time. Your baby no longer needs nutrition at night. Your baby weighs anywhere from 12-14 pounds and is 22-26 inches in height.
6 Month Milestones
Baby will soon be able to sit for short periods on time on His/Her own. He/She is becoming more mobile and can move body parts voluntarily (arms, legs, head, and neck.) He/She picks up toys and drops them to hear the noise that it makes. Baby will use entire hand to grasp on to a toy/rattle and shake it. Baby still loves to suck and will start sucking on His/Her own body parts as well as toys. Baby will try to reach out for objects, and remember, one of the first places baby will put objects is in the mouth. He/She has an increasing appetite and may become picky about what He/She will or will not eat. Baby may also start teething or continue if He/She already has teeth. This is also a great time to regulate and stick to a bed time routine, one that baby can rely on each night. (This will help baby transition into sleeping patters on His/Her own in the months to come.)
Games and Songs for Baby
A great song and game for Baby is Pat-A-Cake. Be sure to help baby pat hands and roll arms while singing. This will make baby giggle and laugh with you. Singing songs with His/Her name will help baby to recognize and soon become aware of the sound that their name makes. Baby will love to Play Peek a Boo! When you put something over your face (hands, blanket, book), baby will not know that you are still there and when you pop back up baby will wonder where you have gone. Reading books is very soothing to baby. This is the perfect time to introduce a favorite story to Him/Her.
Nutrition
Baby drinks about 4-6 ounces per feed. You have probably noticed that baby needs a bit more then just liquid to help soothe appetite. When introducing any solid into baby’s appetite make sure that you introduce one food at a time in case baby has an allergic reaction to that food. A great way to thicken baby food is to add rice cereal to the baby food. If you have any questions or concerns about baby’s diet be sure to talk to His/Her Pediatrician first. Baby should still be going through 8 wet diapers and 2 poopie diapers per day. (When it’s hot outside be sure to give baby plenty of liquid. Water is ideal.)
What to expect-Six month check up
- Dr will want to know what foods have been introduced into baby’s diet
- If you have decided to go along with immunizations you can expect baby to get shots
- Dr will fill out a chart for baby’s height and weight measurements
- If you have any questions, be sure to write them down so you can ask His/Her Pediatrician
Safety Tips
- Never leave large blankets or loose toys in crib with baby
- Don’t leave toys and small objects on floor or around baby
- When putting baby to bed at night dress baby in flame retardant and snug fitting clothing
- Keep numbers to Poison Control, Police, Fire Department, and Pediatrician close to phone in case of an Emergency
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