Your little bundle of joy is six months old, and it just seems like yesterday when you held him in your arms for the first time. It is true, your baby grows really fast in the first year after birth, and as parents, you want to do your best to help your baby grow in a healthier way. So, what can you do to help your baby’s growth and development? Here in the following article, we shall discuss various tips about taking care of a 24-weeks-old baby.
How to Take Care of your 6 Months Old Baby?
Here we have some 6-month baby care tips that will help you to take care of your little one.
1. Your Baby’s Nutritional Needs
One of the most important tips to take care of a six-month-old baby is your baby’s diet and nutrition. By six months your baby is all set for solid foods because by this age not only his body’s nutritional demands have increased, but his developing digestive system is ready for solid foods too. Also, breast milk lacks iron, and it is very important for your baby’s growth and thus giving fortified cereals to your baby will be a good idea. You can give pureed fruits to your baby too. However, milk will still be the main source of nutrition to your baby, and your baby may still be on the breast or formula milk till he turns one. But it will be a good idea to start giving sipper cup to your baby once in a while.
2. Your Baby’s Sleep
Sleep is very important for healthy growth of your baby. Make sure your baby takes two to three naps in a day and sleeps for almost 10 hours at night. It is recommended that you follow a sleep-schedule for your baby and try to put your baby to sleep almost at the same time every day. Ensure there are no distractions in the room and you create a calm and peaceful environment for your baby. Babies at this age become quite aware of their surroundings and may get easily distracted.
3. Your Baby’s Developmental Milestones
Your little one is very active by the time he turns six months. He is able to roll, sit with support,babble a few words and does various other things. Your baby may feel wary of strangers and may feel comfortable with people he sees on a regular basis. All these developmental changes may make your baby little demanding. It is very important for you as a parent to keep your calm and meet and tend to your baby’s requirements. It may get a bit daunting, and it is recommended that you may ask for help from family members and friends.
4. Your Baby’s Teething
By six months of age your baby begins teething, and this can be a difficult time for your baby. Your baby’s gums may feel itchy, and he may drool all the time. Your baby will put start to put things in his mouth. It is suggested that you get good teething toys for your baby and make sure you keep them clean. Massing your baby’s gums is a good way of relieving itching.
5. Your Baby’s Communicational Skills
Your baby is well aware of his surroundings by this age, though he may not talk or understand much. It is very important that you talk, sing and read to your baby. You can play games such as peek-a-boo, read a book with bigger and brighter pictures or simply sing a lullaby to your baby. Your baby is listening to you and building up his vocabulary.
6. Your Baby’s Health And Well-Being
Your baby will get his third set of vaccinations by this age. Your baby may get following vaccinations by six months of age:
- Hepatitis B and polio vaccine
- DTap
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Rotavirus oral vaccine.
In addition to the above-mentioned vaccination, your baby may also get a HiB shot.It is advisable to go for a combined vaccine in comparison to single shots. Your baby may feel irritable and cranky after the vaccination or in some cases may even run a fever. The injection may cause swelling or redness. You may give cold compressions to ease pain and discomfort.
Here, we have discussed some common care tips that will help you to take care of your six-month-old baby. However, seek your doctor’s advice in case you feel your baby is lagging behind in achieving developmental milestones.
