Has it really been six months since you had your baby? Time flies as you fall in love with your little one! Sometimes it can be tough to just relax and enjoy your baby, especially when there is so much to do in our busy lives. But remember that these quiet times with your child are nurturing for both of you, and they are especially valuable for your baby as he or she begins to interact more with the world around them.
How Is Your 6 Month Old Baby Developing?
Your baby is growing very fast–faster than you might think! Here’s what to expect from this interesting period with your 6 month old baby.
1. Body Growth
At this point, your baby’s weight matters much more than height. A baby should be gaining weight if he or she is absorbing nutrients and has no digestive issues. Height, on the other hand, is determined by genes, and there isn’t much you can do to change it. At this point, a girl’s average weight is about 7.3 kg, while a boy can weigh an average of 7.9 kg. Girls can be about 65.8 cm, while boys are about 67.5 cm. As you can see, at this point it is normal for a boy to be a little larger than a girl.
2. Senses Development
Your baby is going through a lot of changes now, but the one you might notice most is the color of their eyes. A baby’s eyes are rarely the same color that they were at birth. Babies with lighter eyes will go through several changes before the color finally settles in at about six months.
3. Physical Development
The physical development of your baby is growing by leaps and bounds! Here’s what to expect from your baby’s changes.
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Development |
Description |
|---|---|
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Start teething |
Your baby might be extra fussy and annoyed, and that’s because the teeth are starting to come in. The first ones are usually the bottom central incisors. |
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Sit up unsupported |
At this point, your baby might be able to sit up alone, at least for a few moments. Babies might prop themselves up with their hands. |
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Roll over and rock back and forth |
Your baby is starting to realize that he or she can move! They can roll from side to side. They might creep–this means they are sliding around on their bellies. They might also rise up on hands and knees and rock a bit. |
4. Communication Development
Your baby is much more able to communicate with you now, and will babble, laugh, and “talk” to you when you talk to him or her. Your baby might also be recognizing people and notices when a stranger comes into the room.
This video can tell you more about the development of a 6 month old baby:
How to Take Care of a 6 Month Old Baby
Taking care of your baby is a top priority. There are a few basic guidelines to follow when caring for a 6 month old baby.
1. Feed Your Baby Properly
Your baby needs more iron–they have used up all the iron that was stored in their bodies when they were born. That means it’s time for solid foods! Fortified cereal and pureed veggies are usually best at this stage.
2. Time to Introduce Solid Food
Not sure when it’s time to introduce solid foods? What if your 6 month old baby isn’t ready for them? There are plenty of developmental signs that tell you when it’s time to move to something solid. When your baby can sit well with support, can hold his head up, and can take food off a spoon, it’s time! You should also make sure your baby is of a healthy weight, can move food to the back of his mouth and swallow it, and can grab finger food and take it to his mouth. He should also be very interested and curious in what you are eating.
If your baby is not interested in solid foods by 26 weeks of age, it’s time to talk to the doctor. At that point your baby should be happy with fortified cereal, pureed or strained fruits, and many pureed vegetables.
3. Understand Their Sleep Patterns
Your little one still needs a great deal of sleep at six months. Not only should the baby be sleeping for about 10 hours an night, expect at least three naps during the day of one to three hours each.
4. Pay Attention to Their Health
Your baby will get vaccinations this month, and might also develop their first cold. It can be a rotten time all around! Most babies can have a cold and be just fine, but if you are worried about your baby’s health, always feel free to check with the doctor. Sometimes a little stomach bug or cold turns into something more serious, especially for a little one with an immature immune system.
5. Safety Always Comes First
Safety always matters, especially when your child becomes more mobile. Here’s how to keep your baby safe.
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Safety Tips |
Instruction |
|---|---|
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Child-proof your home |
Now is the time to make sure your mobile child can’t get into trouble! Use safety devices on drawers and cabinets, install gates, and use safety devices on windows. |
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Never leave your baby alone |
You can’t leave your baby alone anymore. You’re your child is awake, be vigilant about watching what he or she is doing, and never turn your back on them! When changing your baby, always keep one hand on them to keep them from rolling away. |
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Keep dangerous things out of touch |
Now is the time to put away anything that could be dangerous. Don’t let anything hang over a counter where the baby could reach it. Keep small toys and objects out of their hands. Remind older kids to keep these small objects picked up and away from their sibling. |
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Do not use baby walkers |
Baby walkers have been proven to be detrimental to a baby’s health, and they are definitely the causes for safety concerns. Don’t use a walker at all. |
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Keep their environment nonsmoking |
Smoking can harm your baby. Keep the home and car free of smoke, and avoid smoky areas in general. |
6. More Tips on Taking Care of Your Baby
There are plenty of other ways to take care of your 6 month old baby. Here’s how:
- Read to your baby. Reading is a great opportunity to snuggle with your child. Babies love to look at bright colors and pictures, and they will like the sound of your voice, too.
- Stimulate their development through playing. Games like peek-a-boo can really get their attention at this age. It also helps teach the idea of object permanence that something exists even when it is out of sight.
- Watch out for their development milestones. Look for the milestones! Your baby should soon be babbling, making eye contact, responding to sounds, smiling at you, and even sitting up unassisted. If your baby is missing any of these milestones, contact the doctor.
