"To my baby angel, You did flips in my belly, I heard your heart beat, I saw you grow for...
Read More
Month Six
Reviewed by: Dr. Travis Satnarine BSc. MBBS.
Happy ½ Birthday!
This month is truly a milestone and many parents feel a sense of accomplishment. Your baby has personality and engages with you, it’s all that you have been waiting for. For some lucky parents, your baby may be sleeping through the night, for others, just hang in there.
Baby’s growth and development
Baby boys at this age weigh about 17.5 pounds and measure about 26.6 inches in length, baby girls are still a bit smaller averaging about 16.1 pounds and 25.9 inches.
Your baby will be stronger and able to perform a type of crawl, maybe the belly-crawl, he is trying to move. His hands are stronger and so are his legs, coordinating the move takes some time and effort.
Baby will be holding his head like a pro, his back and neck have strengthened tremendously, baby can roll both ways and he babbles a lot. He is also able to sit up for a short period of time.
Sounds and objects fascinate your baby, as he responds quickly, reaching out for things and switching toys from hand to hand quickly. Play games and keep interacting. He also loves looking at the mirror and is extremely curious about everything.
Milestones
Imitates sounds
Starts eating solids
Sit without support
- Milestones are just a guide; babies do different things are different times. If you have concerns talk about it at the next visit with your pediatrician.
Health Care
Doctor will perform his routine medical check of baby, along with his six-month vaccines.
Vaccines: DPT, Hep B, HIB, Pneumococcal, OPV.
Speak to your doctor in detail about the introduction of food, the best foods, and the daily quantity.
Interesting things about Month 6
Your baby knows his mom and dad, some babies are clingy while others embrace the social life and engage with others.
Your baby knows his name, so keep calling him he will respond. Baby can quickly respond to noises.
You will experience the joy of hearing baby giggling and laughing out loud. It is so adorable.
He will try to mimic sounds and expressions you make, have fun with your baby
Advice for Moms & New Parents
Help baby be a bit more independent, try to get him to sleep on his own and play for longer periods on this own.
Look for toys that can help your baby learn, although they may be more interested in the cardboard boxes and water bottles.
As you begin introducing solids into your baby’s diet, follow the guidelines given by your doctor. Remember you want to look out for allergies, and you can expect a bit of constipation. Just keeping talking to your health care professional.
Some babies use the comfort of a bottle for baby to fall asleep or have them breastfeed all night. This is not healthy for your baby’s budding teeth; it can lead to baby-bottle mouth which is the decaying of the front teeth. You can use a damp rag to clean baby’s mouth and new teeth.
It may also be a good time to start thinking about child proofing your home
Reminders for this month:
- Take Baby’s six-month photo. What an accomplishment!
- Six-month check-up and vaccines
- Remember to schedule Baby’s nine-month visit.
- Discuss introducing solids, possible complications like allergies or complications
- Get your home childproof ready
