Feeding
Your baby should keep having breast milk or infant formula until 1 year of age. Your baby may soon be ready for a cup but it will be messy at first. Try giving a cup sometimes to see if your baby likes it.
Make cereal with formula or breast milk only. Use a spoon to give your baby cereal, not a bottle or an infant feeder. Sitting up while eating helps your baby learn good eating habits.
If you haven't started giving your baby other baby foods, you can start now. Start each meal by breast-feeding or giving formula before solid food. Start with pureed fruits, vegetables, and meats. Wait at least 2 days before you start each new food or juice so you have time to make sure your baby is not allergic to the new food. Diarrhea, rash, or vomiting are signs of a possible food allergy.
Do not give foods that require chewing. Don't start eggs, shellfish and food containing peanuts or tree nuts at this age. Avoid foods that can choke your child, such as candy, hot dogs, and popcorn. Make sure your child’s food is not too hot, especially if foods have been heated in a microwave oven.
Don't give your baby a bottle just to quiet him when it’s unlikely that he is hungry and don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle. Babies who spend too much time with a bottle in their mouth start to use the bottle as a security object. This makes it harder for them to give up the bottle and start eating solid food. Babies who spend too much time with a bottle in their mouth are also more likely to have ear infections and tooth decay problems. Find another security object like a stuffed animal or a blanket.
Development
At this age babies are usually rolling over and starting to sit by themselves and later scooting and crawling. Babies squeal, babble, laugh, and often cry very loudly. They may be afraid of people they don’t know. Meet your baby's needs quickly and be patient with your baby.
Six-month-olds may not want to be put in bed. A favorite blanket or stuffed animal may make bedtime easier. Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle. Your baby will use the bottle as a security object and this will make it hard to wean your child from the bottle.
Develop a bedtime routine like playing a game or reading a book, singing a lullaby, turning the lights out, and giving a goodnight kiss. Make the routine the same every night. Be calm and consistent with your baby at bedtime. If your baby wakes up a lot at night, ask your healthcare provider for advice.
Reading and TV
Books help you and your child grow closer. Make reading fun for your child by making sound effects for animals, cars, or trains, and by looking like you enjoy the story. Pick books with bright colors and large simple pictures. Reading the same books over and over will help your baby recognize and name familiar objects.
Don't try to keep your baby entertained with TV or videos on a tablet or computer. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not allowing children under 2 years old to watch TV at all. Watching TV keeps children from playing and interacting with people. Babies need to be active because it helps their brains and bodies to develop.
Dental Care
While getting teeth, your baby may drool and chew a lot. It may help to massage your baby's swollen gums with your finger. A teething ring may be useful. As your baby’s teeth start coming in, you can clean them by wiping them with a damp washcloth.
It’s important to take care of your child’s baby teeth because they help your child chew food and speak clearly. They also help save space for the permanent teeth that will come in later.
The best time for children to start seeing a dentist is by 1 year of age. Your child may need to see a dentist at a younger age if he has:
- Special healthcare needs
- Stains on his teeth or white spots in his mouth
- A habit of sleeping with a bottle or drinking a lot of sweet drinks, which can cause tooth decay
- Any other dental problem
Safety Tips
If you find yourself getting annoyed or angry with your baby, or if your baby is crying too much and you cannot cope with it, call a friend or relative for help. NEVER shake a baby.
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