What to Expect At This Visit:
At this visit, your child will receive the following immunizations:
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), IPV (Inactivated Polio), Hep B (Hepatitis B), PCV (Pneumococcal Vaccine), Hib (Hemophilus Influenzae B), & Rotavirus vaccine.
Click here for the American Academy of Pediatrics Immunization Schedule.
Vaccine Information: The American Academy of Pediatrics
Development:
Note: Please know that the development of each child is unique and special. The following information on development is general and meant for informational purposes only. If you are concerned about the development of your child, please let your pediatrician know.
*At 6 months, your baby is very social and curious. He/she will follow you with their eyes around the room. When your child is awake, place he/she in their highchair so they can interact with the family and visually explore. Additionally, your baby will start crawling and it is important that your home is childproofed.
*At 6 months, your child will be able to sit up without any support. Your child will also begin to roll from their back to their tummy. You will also notice your child begin reaching for his/her toys. He/she will also be able to pick up a toy and move it from hand to hand. Your child will continue their speech development, making consonant sounds like "mama" and "dada." Finally at around 6 months your child will start to recognize strangers from familiar faces.
Daily Life:
*As your child begins to teethe, you may notice that your child becomes very fussy and irritable. You may also notice your child drooling. Use a cool teething ring to help relieve your child's pain.
Feeding:
*Continue to offer solid foods. Do not forcefeed your baby. Offer solid foods 2-3 times a day and let your baby decide how much they want to eat at each sitting.
*At 6 months, juice may be added to the diet. However, juice should be used very limitedly. Juice teaches your baby to have a "sweet tooth" and has an increased risk of dental cavities. If you add juice to your child's diet, limit juice to only 2-4 ounces a day.
*Limit Finger Foods to no foods bigger than a Cheerio.
Sleeping:
*At this age, your baby will learn to put themselves back to sleep. This means that if they awake during the night, they have learned to calm themselves back to sleep.
*Leaving a bottle in the crib with your baby is not recommended. Sleeping with a bottle increases the risk for dental cavities. If you do leave a bottle in bed with your baby, only put water in the bottle, but I would discourage leaving a bottle in the crib.
Fun & Play:
*At 6 months, your baby is very vocal and will be babbling more. Continue to sing songs, read books, and play games with your baby.
Safety:
*As your child becomes more mobile, crib safety must be followed. It is recommended that you lower the crib mattress to the lowest point before your baby starts standing. Additionally, any bumpers in the crib should be removed since these can be used as "steps," and a way to climb out of the crib. However, I do not recommend bumpers in the bed from the beginning. NOTHING in the crib.
*Before your child starts crawling, it is recommended that you do a Safety Check around your home. Place locks on cabinets, toilets, and doors. Place gates on stairways and have any unnecessary doors closed at all times.
*Never leave your child alone while bathing, even for a second. A child can drown in as little as 2 inches of water. Set your water heater thermostat to less than 120 degrees. This helps prevent scalding water and burns.
*Keep small objects out of your baby's reach. Hide any dangling cords or strings from your child.
*Post the number for Poison Control on every one of your house's phones and also at anyone's home who helps take care of your child. The Poison Helpline is 800/222-1222. If you suspect your child has ingested poison, call the Helpline before forcing your child to vomit. Depending on the substance swallowed, it may not be advised for your child to vomit.
Health:
*As your child starts teething, it is important to start a dental routine. At this age, you should daily use either a wet washcloth or toothbrush with water only to clean your baby's teeth.
*Excess drinking of juice has been found to lead to cavities. Limit the amount of juice given to your baby to 2-4 ounces a day.
Parents & Family:
Useful Resources & Links:
TIPP (The Injury Prevention Program) tip sheet for 6-12 months
American Academy of Pediatrics' Information on Infant Car Seats