Newborn Guidance: 6 Months printable pdf download

6 Months

ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE

PEDIATRIC &

ADOLESCENT

ASSOCIATES, P.S.C.

Date:________________________________Height:_______________Weight:_____________OFC:_______________

The 6-month-old infant likes to be with people and there is a sudden burst in awareness of his or her surroundings. The baby loves

to play face to face with parents and begins to develop a sense of trust and the beginning elements of learning (through games like

peek-a-boo). The following comments are designed to help you and your partner enjoy your 6-month-old while continuing to gain

confidence in yourselves as parents. Never hesitate to ask for guidance concerning specific problems. This is the reason for regular

well-baby checkups.

PARENTING AND BEHAVIORAL

difficult or easy, and there is no reason why one baby frets

• Encourage speech development by talking to your 6-month-

and drools during tooth eruption and another sails through it

old while dressing, bathing, feeding, playing, walking and

without a whimper. If your baby seems uncomfortable, a dose

of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) may

driving.

be given occasionally. Topical numbing agents only work for

• Begin playing social games such as pat-a-cake, peek-a-boo,

so-big, etc.

10-15 minutes.

• Begin to set some limits for future discipline by using

FEEDING

distraction, reducing stimulation, and establishing routines.

• Most babies double their birth weight in the first 5 to 6 months.

• Establish a bedtime routine and other habits to discourage

They will not double their weight in the next six months as

night awakening. Make sure your baby has learned self-

growth rate slows a little. Therefore, expect your baby’s

soothing techniques by providing your child with the same

appetite to diminish a little in the next six months.

transitional object, such as a stuffed animal, “special” blanket

• Continue to breastfeed or use iron-fortified formula for the

or favorite toy.

first full year of the infant’s life.

• Encourage play with age-appropriate toys. Babies like to

• Solid foods should now be introduced with cereal, fruits, yellow

bounce, swing, reach for you, pick up and drop objects, and

vegetables, green vegetables and then meats. Your baby will

bang things together. Unbreakable household objects such

let you know when and how much he or she wants to eat.

as plastic measuring cups, large wooden spoons, pots, pans

Infant cereal should be given twice daily until 1 year of age

and plastic containers make great toys.

as an iron source.

• Shoes are not necessary at this age except for show and to

• Continue to give the breast-feeding infant supplemental

keep feet warm.

Vitamin D (Tri-Vi-Sol or D-Vi-Sol) and fluoride supplements if

• Read to your baby every day! This will promote language

your water supply is not fluoridated. If your baby is being fed

skills, as well as a love for reading later in life.

by a caregiver, go over the schedule with him or her to make

DEVELOPMENT

sure he or she is feeding your infant the way you want.

• Begins to speak single (hard) consonants, like “dada” (sorry

SLEEP

mom!).

• Encourage your baby to console himself/herself by putting

• Rolls over both ways (front to back and back to front).

him/her to bed awake.

• The baby will begin to look for a toy dropped out of sight.

• Some 6-month-old babies decrease the length and/or

• Has no head lag when pulled to a sitting position.

frequency of naps.

• Begins to “tripod” (sits with one hand on the ground for

• Due to the emergence of separation anxiety, the 6-month-old

support) and soon will begin to sit without support.

baby may show resistance to going to sleep for naps and at

• Continues to grasp and mouth objects, but now can transfer

night.

small objects from one hand to another.

• Some 6-month-old babies begin night awakenings for short

• Six-month-old babies begin to rake at small objects but cannot

periods of time. Should this happen, check your baby, but

pick them up yet because their finger coordination is not yet

keep the visit brief, avoid stimulating your infant and leave

precise enough.

the room quickly once you feel everything is OK. Do not offer

• Shows displeasure with loss of a toy.

feedings during the night at this age.

• Is able to recognize each parent and may even begin to show

IMMUNIZATIONS

some stranger anxiety.

If it is flu season, your child will receive their first flu vaccine. A

• Makes attempts to feed himself or herself.

second dose will be given in one month. Flu vaccines are also

• Smiles, laughs, squeals and begins to imitate sounds.

recommended for all household contacts and caregivers of babies

• Can be content in a playpen for a while playing with one or

0-23 months.

two toys.

• Can bear weight on his or her legs when held in a standing

Since immunization schedules vary from doctor to doctor, and

position (no, it will not cause bowlegs!)

new vaccines may have been introduced, it is always best to

• May develop one or more teeth by the 9-month checkup. Don’t

seek the advice of your child’s health care provider concerning

worry if teething is delayed, as every child has his or her own

your child’s vaccine schedule.

timetable for teething. The process of getting teeth can be

Newborn Guidance: 6 Months

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