Six Month Visit

Breast Feeding

Breast feeding typically occurs 4-6 times a day.

Infant cereal may be introduced at this age. Start with one serving a day then increase to two servings of about ¼ cup per serving. Once your infant is doing well with two servings of cereal a day, you may introduce finely pureed foods (stage one) and increase to thicker texture (stage two). Risk of choking increases as food texture increases; never leave your infant with food while unattended. Continue Vitamin D supplement.

Formula Feeding

Formula fed infants generally take 3-4 ounces every 3-4 hours for a total of 24-30 ounces a day. Use an iron fortified formula, not low iron formula.

Increase solid food to a thicker texture (stage two). Risk of choking increases as food texture increases; never leave your infant with food while unattended.

Foods to Avoid

Six month old infants should not be fed honey products. Find out if your domestic water has fluoride by testing your well or calling your municipal water service.

Oral Health

To avoid bad habits which may lead to tooth decay, do not put your baby to bed with a bottle or prop the bottle in the baby’s mouth.

Sleep

Generally six month old babies sleep 12-14 hours a day. Although your baby may roll over, continue to place on his/her back for sleeping. Continue with a night time routine, including putting your baby to bed in their crib awake.

Safety

Do not use a walker. Non mobile stand up play centers are okay.

It is okay to use insect repellent at this age if needed, but avoidance is the best practice. Soon your baby will be mobile, get on the floor, at your baby’s level, and look for environmental hazards such as outlets, cords, and small objects. Place window guards or open windows from the top, find cabinets that need to be locked and stairs that need to be gated. Limit access to bathrooms or water filled containers. Be sure poisons, medicines, matches, weapons are locked up.

Continue to use a rear facing car seat placed in the car’s rear seat. Assure hot water at the tap is less than 120F. Use smoke detectors and avoid second hand smoke. Keep hot beverages, cigarettes, small objects and plastic bags away from your infant. Sunscreen is okay to use, but sun avoidance is important.

Activities

Play music and sing to your baby. verbally describe your baby's surroundings, textures, sounds, smells, colors, etc. Your baby will enjoy playing pat-a-cake and peekaboo. The best toy for your infant is one which allows you to interact with them. Read to your baby. Six month old infants enjoy being held, kissed, cuddled and rocked.

While interacting with your infant is important, taking time for yourself will help you be a more effective parent.

Behavior

Rules should be limited but consistent. Use distraction as discipline.

Signs of illness

Signs of illness may include fever, failure to eat, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, lethargy, rash, or cough. If your child experiences one of these symptoms or you are concerned, feel free to call our office for advice or an appointment.

Developmental Milestones

Verbal: Syllable sounds like “ba ba ba”

Social: Recognizes parents

Gross motor: Rolls over, sits with support

Fine motor: Transfers objects from hand to hand