Six Months
By Dr. Brown
One half year's gone by - wasn't that fast? You can really see some personality in your baby now. Your child will really enjoy being with you, so much so that you may see the beginnings of separation and stranger anxiety. Be prepared!
DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY
Practice having your baby sit, first with a little help, then less and less as time goes on so he can begin to sit by himself. This opens up a whole new world so that you can lay toys all round your child and he can sit and play with them one at a time. This is when your child is going to begin to make choices (to pick up and play with this toy or that) and learn to entertain himself for a while.
Your son will get pretty good at manipulating toys in his hands. Soon he'll be able to transfer objects from one hand to the other. Work with your child by offering objects from both the left and right sides of his body. He can practice this once he's able to sit by himself and reach for objects.
Also practice having him stand, giving less support as time goes on so that your child is soon able to hold onto objects (crib rail, sofa, etc.) as his balance and strength improves.
Lots of cooing and talking.
If you haven't started reading to your child, now's a good time to start.
Make sure your child spends a lot of time on the floor for "tummy time" as one of his next big milestones will be getting into an all fours position so he can start crawling!
Go to the section "Child Development" on our website to get more info.
FEEDING
If you haven't already started solid foods, start now! If you've already started and have made it through most of the "stage one" foods, you can then proceed to "stage two foods". In the past we asked that you stay away from meats, yogurts, and other animal-based products until later; it now appears that it is ok to give these foods after 6 months. Give your child as much as he wants; don't let the size of the jar limit what your baby gets. You can also add a third meal so that your child will soon be receiving three meals a day. Its nice to have a mixture of foods (vegetables and fruits) with each solid feeding, so that your child gets used to having a "balanced" meal. Your child can also probably start "teething biscuits" - even without teeth. An easy teething biscuit to start with are the rice-based (like Mum-Mums), as they easily dissolve in your baby's mouth. Most babies suck and mush them down, using their tongue and palate. Larger pieces may break off in his mouth and cause him to gag, but practice will make him better. Try not to panic when this occurs, all babies do this and protect themselves well enough. As he gets better with his feeding and isn't gagging, you can proceed to smaller cookies and even appropriate small pieces of vegetables and fruits. Continue to "top off" his feedings with breast milk or formula. If your child uses a bottle, allow him to hold it; putting it in and taking it out enables him to gain some control of his environment.
SLEEPING
Your baby really should be sleeping through the night by now. If he's not, you need help! You may want to check out one of the sleep books in the "Staying Healthy/Recommended Books" section of this website. If your baby has sprouted teeth, you really shouldn't be feeding him in the middle of the night. Most babies are taking 2 or 3 naps a day.
SAFETY
If he hasn't already started rolling and scooting, your baby will be soon! Its really time to start baby proofing the home, making sure that he can't get to anything that may be a choking hazard or other danger. The phone number for poison control is 800/942-5969. Please have this number handy!
Your child should still be in a car seat. It's usually around 28-30 inches or twenty pounds (check with your car seat instructions) when you have to transfer your child into a larger or convertible seat. Your child should still be facing rearwards until he is both at least 20 pounds and one year.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Colds
As your child gets older and starts to get around a little more, he will inevitably catch a cold or other viral disease. Please see the "Common Illnesses" section of our website for further information.
Teething
Some babies can start teething at this age, offer your child a soft teething ring. Tylenol may be used if the discomfort is particularly bad.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your son will enjoy moving his body and getting around. Soon he'll be rolling to objects and scooting. He may even begin to crawl in the next few weeks. Babies can crawl in lots of peculiar ways - some drag one leg or use one arm more than the other. This is quite common. If you think your baby has a "weakness" in one extremity or another, let us know.
Expect lots of cooing and babbling. Your child may want to even walk with you helping. This is fine and shouldn't cause problems. You'll probably see some degree of separation and stranger anxiety. Don't worry, your child will get through this!
VISION
If there are concerns about your baby's vision you can either discuss this with the doctor, or visit the website: www.infantsee.com. On this site you can find more info and a list of optometrists who can check your baby (in many cases this exam is performed for free!) Please see the website for further info.
AUTISM
If you have any concerns, please see the section below "Special Topics" -Autism.
One half year's gone by - wasn't that fast? You can really see some personality in your baby now. Your child will really enjoy being with you, so much so that you may see the beginnings of separation and stranger anxiety. Be prepared!
DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY
Practice having your baby sit, first with a little help, then less and less as time goes on so he can begin to sit by himself. This opens up a whole new world so that you can lay toys all round your child and he can sit and play with them one at a time. This is when your child is going to begin to make choices (to pick up and play with this toy or that) and learn to entertain himself for a while.
Your son will get pretty good at manipulating toys in his hands. Soon he'll be able to transfer objects from one hand to the other. Work with your child by offering objects from both the left and right sides of his body. He can practice this once he's able to sit by himself and reach for objects.
Also practice having him stand, giving less support as time goes on so that your child is soon able to hold onto objects (crib rail, sofa, etc.) as his balance and strength improves.
Lots of cooing and talking.
If you haven't started reading to your child, now's a good time to start.
Make sure your child spends a lot of time on the floor for "tummy time" as one of his next big milestones will be getting into an all fours position so he can start crawling!
Go to the section "Child Development" on our website to get more info.
FEEDING
If you haven't already started solid foods, start now! If you've already started and have made it through most of the "stage one" foods, you can then proceed to "stage two foods". In the past we asked that you stay away from meats, yogurts, and other animal-based products until later; it now appears that it is ok to give these foods after 6 months. Give your child as much as he wants; don't let the size of the jar limit what your baby gets. You can also add a third meal so that your child will soon be receiving three meals a day. Its nice to have a mixture of foods (vegetables and fruits) with each solid feeding, so that your child gets used to having a "balanced" meal. Your child can also probably start "teething biscuits" - even without teeth. An easy teething biscuit to start with are the rice-based (like Mum-Mums), as they easily dissolve in your baby's mouth. Most babies suck and mush them down, using their tongue and palate. Larger pieces may break off in his mouth and cause him to gag, but practice will make him better. Try not to panic when this occurs, all babies do this and protect themselves well enough. As he gets better with his feeding and isn't gagging, you can proceed to smaller cookies and even appropriate small pieces of vegetables and fruits. Continue to "top off" his feedings with breast milk or formula. If your child uses a bottle, allow him to hold it; putting it in and taking it out enables him to gain some control of his environment.
SLEEPING
Your baby really should be sleeping through the night by now. If he's not, you need help! You may want to check out one of the sleep books in the "Staying Healthy/Recommended Books" section of this website. If your baby has sprouted teeth, you really shouldn't be feeding him in the middle of the night. Most babies are taking 2 or 3 naps a day.
SAFETY
If he hasn't already started rolling and scooting, your baby will be soon! Its really time to start baby proofing the home, making sure that he can't get to anything that may be a choking hazard or other danger. The phone number for poison control is 800/942-5969. Please have this number handy!
Your child should still be in a car seat. It's usually around 28-30 inches or twenty pounds (check with your car seat instructions) when you have to transfer your child into a larger or convertible seat. Your child should still be facing rearwards until he is both at least 20 pounds and one year.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Colds
As your child gets older and starts to get around a little more, he will inevitably catch a cold or other viral disease. Please see the "Common Illnesses" section of our website for further information.
Teething
Some babies can start teething at this age, offer your child a soft teething ring. Tylenol may be used if the discomfort is particularly bad.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your son will enjoy moving his body and getting around. Soon he'll be rolling to objects and scooting. He may even begin to crawl in the next few weeks. Babies can crawl in lots of peculiar ways - some drag one leg or use one arm more than the other. This is quite common. If you think your baby has a "weakness" in one extremity or another, let us know.
Expect lots of cooing and babbling. Your child may want to even walk with you helping. This is fine and shouldn't cause problems. You'll probably see some degree of separation and stranger anxiety. Don't worry, your child will get through this!
VISION
If there are concerns about your baby's vision you can either discuss this with the doctor, or visit the website: www.infantsee.com. On this site you can find more info and a list of optometrists who can check your baby (in many cases this exam is performed for free!) Please see the website for further info.
AUTISM
If you have any concerns, please see the section below "Special Topics" -Autism.