Well Kids — 6 Months

Development and Behavior:

The next few months will be a time of considerable development for your baby. She should be able to sit up with some help from you, and soon will be able to stay up on her own. Before long she will be pulling herself up to a standing position using furniture for support. Many babies will soon be rocking on their hands and knees, and will be trying to learn how to crawl in the next few months.

Your baby will be able to recognize familiar people, and may even cry when she sees someone new. This is very normal, even with relatives whom she has not seen recently. So don't let Grandma or Grandpa get upset if your baby does not seem to want them to hold her.

This is also the time for separation anxiety to start. This is also a normal development. Your baby knows and loves you, and fears that if you go, you might not return. As your baby sees that you do always come back then she will grow out of it.

Many parents ask about walkers. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend them. Walkers do not help babies learn to walk any earlier. They merely provide entertainment for the baby, and they do pose a certain risk to the baby. A baby in a walker is mobile and able to get into trouble much more easily. Infants in walkers have tumbled down stairs, opened drawers and doors and even lost fingers from a collapsing walker. In short, they provide no benefit and put your baby in danger. Don't use them.

There are some new toys that allow an infant to sit in a seat and turn around. These seem to be safe. Just remember to watch your baby at all times. The bottom line is that nothing can substitute for the watchful eyes of a parent.

Your baby will soon be crawling all over the place, and you may want to get her shoes. Or, more likely, Grandma will want to get her some shoes. In either case, here are a few words of advice on choosing shoes. Soft shoes are generally the best. Hard soles are often slippery, and will make it harder for your baby to stand up later. High-top shoes do not provide any real support for the ankles. Their only advantage is that they are more difficult for your baby to pull off, so they stay on better. Your baby will outgrow shoes in 3 to 4 months, so don't waste money on an expensive pair. However, it is worth the time and money to get a good brand, at a good store. The single most important aspect of shoes is that they fit properly.

Fine motor skills may be improved by a game often called "the in and out game." Give your child a small container (such as an old margarine tub) and a few small safe objects, such as blocks or old spoons. Your baby will amuse herself for hours (well, OK, minutes) putting them in and taking them out. Please do not use buttons or coins. They are much too easy for your baby to swallow and choke on.

You can help teach language skills by pointing to objects around the house and naming them. When your child gets older, you can get simple picture books from the library or bookstore. You can also make your own by cutting bright pictures out of old magazines. Point to the pictures and name them. But don't be surprised when your baby loses interest in the game and tries to eat the book.

Don't forget some of the other favorite games for infants, such as "peek-a-boo" and "sooo-big." Peek-a-boo especially will help your child to grow out of the separation anxiety we spoke of earlier. She will see that you can disappear, but that you do come back and everything is OK.

Feeding:

If your baby is showing any interest in what you are eating then she is probably ready to start on the road to finger foods. Try offering teething biscuits at first. These are very hard, about the consistency of doggy treats, and usually found in the store along with the baby foods. These should not break into small pieces, so your baby should not choke on them. They will, however, slowly dissolve into a thick brown paste that your baby will use to paint on the walls and glue herself to the chair. When she learns how to handle these well, try moving on to other "finger" foods:

• Cheerios;
• Ripe bananas;
• Canned vegetables and fruits (the canning process makes them very soft and easy for your baby to chew);
• Take fresh or frozen vegetables and steam them;
• Thinly shaved deli meats;
• Gerber meat sticks;
• Slices of cheese;
• In short, anything that is soft enough for your baby to chew up.

Try whatever you are having for dinner. Leftovers are a good place to start. Just be sure they are soft enough and in small pieces. If your baby does not like something you give her, don't worry. She will let you know.

As your baby is able to sit up more, you might want to get a high chair for her. Be sure to check for any sharp edges before you buy it. Make sure that the tray attaches securely and that you can easily buckle your baby into it.

Don't worry if your baby does not have any teeth yet. Although many babies have their first teeth by 6 months of age, many don't have theirs until 9 months, and a few wait much, much longer. If you still are concerned, please talk to your health care provider.

Start introducing your baby to a cup now. It helps her develop independence and fine-motor skills. It may also help to prevent ear infections. Unfortunately, it will also teach her about water flow, as she plays "sprinkling-can" all over the high chair.

You should also continue to give breast milk or formula to your baby to drink. She still needs all the vitamins and other nutrients in them. We will switch your baby to whole milk at twelve months of age.

Night time feedings should no longer be necessary. Unless your doctor says otherwise, your baby should not need to eat during the night. If your child is addicted to night time bottles, use only water in the bottle as you wean her away from them.

Accident Prevention:

• Keep your baby buckled when in her high chair, and never leave her alone.
• Always use a car seat for your children and a seat belt for yourselves.
• Keep electrical cords tucked out of reach. They are a great way for your baby to get burned. Tablecloths also should be kept up high. Purchase some outlet caps. They are cheap, and can help keep little tykes from plugging objects into the outlets and getting shocked.
• Make sure your home is "baby-proofed." Keep any sharp, breakable, or dangerous objects well out of reach. All cleaning fluids, fingernail polish, paint or other hazardous items should be kept in a locked cabinet.
• Find the number of your local Poison Control Center and post it next to every phone. If you think your child may have taken something poisonous, call the poison control number. Do not give Ipecac or attempt to induce vomiting unless told to do so by the Poison Control Center.
• Buy (and use) smoke detectors.
• Keep your water heater set at no more than 120 º F.
• Never drink hot liquids when holding or feeding your baby. It is too easy for them to spill and burn your baby.
• Inspect all toys, and throw away any which are small enough to choke on, are worn, or have sharp edges or breakable or removable parts.
• Inspect all clothing (including yours) for loose buttons that might be pulled off and so present a choking hazard.
• Do not smoke around your baby, or allow anyone else to do so.

If you have any concerns about your baby's health, please call your doctor. Please do not give any medicines without talking to your doctor first. We are happy to help you in any way we can.