Age: 6 Months

Important Points about your 6 Month Old Baby

Family

Caring for your baby can require a lot of time. Remember to still make time for your partner, your other children, and to reconnect with friends. Connecting with other moms can serve as a good support system.

Development

You will notice your baby will enjoy face-to-face play. He/She may now sit with support and begin to string sounds together. He/She should be reaching for objects and transferring them between his hands. It is important to play and continue to read daily and engage your baby to help with brain development.

Health

Now that your baby is starting to eat, remember never to share spoons with your infant nor clean his/her pacifier with your mouth. This can increase their risk of getting cavities. Find your baby a dentist and schedule his first dental appointment, even if he doesn’t have teeth. If your baby has teeth, you should brush them twice a day with a toothbrush and children’s fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than the size of a grain of rice. Never let your baby sleep with or prop a bottle, and start removing night feeds. These may both increase the risk of cavities. You may also introduce a sippy cup now. Seek care with any fever higher than 102.2 °F.

Nutrition

We encourage you to keep breastfeeding your infant. If your baby has good head control you may introduce solids (vegetables first). Introduce a new food item for one week before trying another item to see if your baby has an allergic reaction to the food. Don’t give any cow’s milk or honey until 12 months of age. Do not give your baby juice unless directed by your provider.

Safety

Walkers with wheels are not recommended because of the risk of head injuries and they do not help your baby learn to walk. Some studies suggest walkers may actually delay motor development (crawling/walking). It’s time to childproof your home!

Poison Control: 1 (800) 222-1222. Keep this number in a place where you can easily find it and add it your cell phone contacts. Call this number immediately if your child swallows something he shouldn’t (like detergent or adult medicine).

Never leave dangerous items within the reach of babies (like small objects of plastic bags).

Never leave your child unattended especially on your bed as he is moving more and can fall.

Never leave your child in the car, even for a minute (risk of child death from the heat).

Never leave your child unattended during bath time (risk of burns and drowning).

Set your hot water heater at 120 F to prevent burns.

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

How to set rules for your child

Your child can crawl, now they need rules to stay safe.

Set Rules When Your Child is 6 Months Old

  • When you can, say do instead of do not.
    • Do share the toys (instead of do not take the toys away).
    • Do be gently to other people(instead of do not hit).
    • Do hold my hand (Instead of do not run away).
  • Speak directly to your child. Talk to her at eye level.
  • Say what you want your child to do in simple clear words.
  • Say your rules firmly. You can be firm without yelling.
  • Say the rule every time you need to until your child learns it. It will take many times and some patience!

Make Sure to:

  • Inform everyone taking care of your child to use the same rules.
  • Write the rules down as it can help
  • Start with 2-3 rules to keep your child and others safe.
  • Add more rules later about not breaking things and being polite.

Poison Safety Tips for Baby’s Early Years

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Texas Poison Center Network would like to congratulate you on the birth of your child. We want to help you keep your child safe as he or she grows. This brochure contains safety tips for poisoning dangers your child will face during the first few years.

Take a moment and save the number for your local poison center in your cell phone, 1-800-222-1222.

0-6 Months

The most common problem at this age is with medicine.

  • Use measuring syringes or droppers given to you by your pharmacist or doctor. Give the right amount. Do you give a drop or a dropper-full?
  • If you are unsure, check with your pharmacist or doctor before giving the medicine.
  • Any amount over ½ teaspoon (2.5 mLs) should be verified with a doctor or pharmacist.
  • The amount of medicine to give your child is based on their age and weight.
  • Make sure your babysitter has clear instructions for giving medicine to your baby.

6-9 Months

Your baby is now crawling. To see what your baby can see, get on your hands and knees and crawl around the house. Here are some things you should pay attention to:

  • Cleaning products that are kept under cabinets need to be stored out of sight and out of reach.
  • Know the names of your indoor and outdoor plants. Take a leaf and picture to your local plant nursery to find out what it is, then call the poison center to see if the plant could be dangerous to your child.
  • Your baby now has access to the entire floor of your house. The things your baby might find are rat poison, insect bait, and medicine that was dropped by mistake.

9 MONTHS AND UP

Your child may be walking and climbing now, which means they could get into anything.

  • Medicine cabinets are now within reach. Remember child safety caps are not childproof.
  • Children have access to the entire yard. Remove all mushrooms, dangerous plants, and pesticide products from the yard.
  • Children love to get into parent’s things. Do not store medicine in your purse.
  • Remember children’s medicines like vitamins and cough syrups might taste great! If the child can get to this medicine, he may take it.
  • Teach your child that medicine is not candy.
  • Remember, a child’s “taste” is still changing. Just because it tastes bad to you, doesn’t mean it tastes bad to your child.

FOR THE BABYSITTER

Follow these steps if you suspect a child has been poisoned:

  • Take the product away from the child.
  • Check the baby’s mouth and gently remove any pills or liquids. Do not induce vomiting.
  • Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222
  • Follow the advice the Poison Center gives you.
  • Tell the parents what happened and what steps you have taken.
  • Help parents make the house safe so the baby doesn’t get poisoned again.
  • Go to our website and look under Kids’ Corner to download “Babysitter Notes” to take with you when you baby sit.

The Magic of Everyday Moments (6-9 Months)

Remember, everyday moments are rich bonding and learning opportunities. Enjoy the magic of these moments with your child.

Logo for Johnson and Johnson Pediatric Institute LLC

Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., is a company solely
dedicated to improving maternal and children’s healthcare through the advancement of continued learning and research in pediatrics, child development, parenting and maternity care. Through partnerships with leading healthcare professionals, developmental specialists and international organizations, Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., identifies, develops and implements initiatives and programs that help shape the future of children’s health around the world.

Logo for Zero to Three organization

ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization of renowned pediatricians, educators, researchers, and other child development experts who specialize in the first years of life.

Six-month-olds are motivated, energetic, busy, opinionated and, for the most part, fabulous! They are on the verge of huge developmental strides — intellectual, emotional and physical — and they have many, many things they want to do. The challenge — for them and for you — is that they can’t yet do everything they have in mind. Their fingers aren’t working well enough for them to make objects do what they want. They don’t yet have the balance or coordination to stand up and walk, let alone crawl.

They’ve got so much to say, yet they don’t have the words. But they experience every imaginable feeling, sometimes all at once. Although there is great variation in development at this age, during the next 3 months many of the skills babies are eager to master will, in fact, kick in. Until then, they are likely to get frustrated often; and you will most likely bear the brunt of that frustration.

Somehow, you need to walk the line between doing things for your 6-month-old that she can’t do yet, and finding a way to help her do things for herself. If, for example, she wants to crawl toward a toy but finds herself moving backward instead of forward, you can sit behind her and place your palms against the soles of her feet. Then she might be able to push herself forward and get it for herself. Of course, there’s always the possibility that she’ll be mad if you do that, because what she really wants is to do it on her own. But hang in there — if you’re patient, she’ll learn patience and persistence, too.

Download The Magic of Everyday Moments™ (6-9 Months)

Tips for your 5-6 month old baby

HELP ME BE HEALTHY.

At this checkup:

  • The nurse will weigh and measure me. I will get a check-up.
  • I will get the next set of vaccines. Write down the date of these vaccines in my health journal. If I had a reaction to the vaccines before, tell the doctor.
  • I should get a flu shot in the fall.
  • The doctor might check my eyes for crossed eyes or a lazy eye.
  • I might get a blood test to see if I have enough iron in my blood.
  • Ask about my eating habits. Tell the doctor when and how much I eat.
  • If I need them, I will get hearing aids. I might get help from my nearby Early Childhood Intervention program. An audiologist will check my hearing every few months until I’m a year old, and after that, every six months.
  • Ask if I need fluoride supplements to help my teeth. Ask about my eating habits. Describe when and how much I eat.

Start feeding me vegetables and fruits.

At 6 months, I’m old enough to try vegetables and fruits. Start with veg­etables. Try an orange vegetable like squash or sweet potatoes first. Give me only one new food each week. This way, if I have an allergy, you will know what food caused the allergy.

TAKE CARE OF MY TEETH.

  • Start planning for my first dental visit for when I’m 6 months old or when my first tooth comes in.
  • Call your dentist or a dentist just for me and set up my first visit.
  • As soon as my teeth come in, gently brush my teeth with a little, soft-bristled tooth­brush and some water.
  • I should not have toothpaste now.

If you don’t have health insurance for me, call the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) toll-free at 1-877-543-7669 (1-877-KIDS-NOW) to find out about children’s health insurance.

KEEP ME SAFE.

When we ride in the car, put me in a car seat with the straps on right.

  • My car seat is the safest place for me when I’m in the car.
  • Until I’m a year old and weigh 20 pounds, my car seat should be in the back seat of the car and placed so I look out the back window.
  • If you have questions about my car seat or how you put it in, call Safe Riders toll-free at 1-800-252-8255.

Put gates at the stairs so I don’t go up or down the stairs. After you make our house safe for me, teach me to be safe.

  • Tell me what you want me to do, over and over. Don’t get tired of telling me. I’m too young to remember.
  • Until I learn what to do, take me away from the place I shouldn’t be or take away the thing I shouldn’t be playing with. Get me interested in something else. Don’t slap my hands or hit me. Try not to yell at me, either.
  • Tell me, hug me, and praise me when I do what you want.

Help me use the high chair safely.

  • Put the safety belt on me when I’m in the chair.
  • Be sure the tray is locked in place. Make sure my hands are out of the way when you lock the tray in place.
  • Be sure there are no sharp edges to cut me or you
  • Don’t let me stand in the chair.
  • Don’t leave me alone in the chair.
  • Don’t leave the chair too close to a table or counter. I can push on the table and tip my chair over.

PLAY WITH ME, IT HELPS ME LEARN.

  • Talk to me in complete sentences. Tell me what you are doing. Make sounds for me to copy like “eee,” “uh-oh,” and “aaa.”
  • Tell me about a toy and show me how to use it. I will want to look at it, smell it, chew it, squeeze it, pat it, and bang it.
  • Put a favorite toy just out of my reach. Help me move to get to it.
  • Hide a toy under a cloth so I can look for it.
  • I like to use blocks that I can hold in my hands.
  • Read to me. Point to the pictures as you tell me about them.

Each child grows and changes at a different rate.
I might do some activities earlier than others. Playing with me helps me learn new things. If you are worried about what I do, talk to my doctor or nurse or call the OARS Help Line toll-free at 1-800-628-5115.

Watch for me to:

  • Pick up my head and chest when I’m on my stomach. I can hold myself up with my arms.
  • Stand up if you hold me under my arms.
  • Roll from my stomach to my back or from my back to my stomach.
  • Notice small things that are placed in front of me.
  • Reach for toys or other interesting things near me.
  • Squeal and make high pitched sounds when I’m happy.
  • Start to have my teeth come in.
  • Lie on my back and look at my hands. I can bring my hands together over my chest or at my mouth.

Poison Prevention

POISON PREVENTION:

Step 1: Make your home poison proof
Step 2: Be careful with medicine
Step 3: Know the Poison Control Center number and call it!

You can call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222

Make your Home Poison-Proof

Bedroom
  • No medicine on the nightstand
  • Keep perfume, lotions, cosmetics out of reach
Bathroom
  • No cleaners under the sink
  • Keep medicine, perfume, cosmetics, soap, hair products, mouthwash, and toothpaste out of reach
Kitchen and Living Area
  • No household cleaners under sink or stored near food
  • Keep vitamins out of reach
  • Leave all products in their original containers
  • Purses out of reach
  • Alcoholic beverages out of reach
  • No rat or insect poison in areas where children play
Laundry
  • Keep bleach, detergent, and fabric softener out of reach
Garage and Outside
  • Gasoline, paint, Turpentine, paint thinner, lighter fluid, bug sprays/powders, weed killers, fertilizers in a locked cabinet
  • Car products out of reach
  • Teach children not to eat mushrooms or toadstools growing in the yard
  • Know the poisonous plants in your yard!
  • If you treat your yard with pesticides, have children wait 24 hours to play outside

BE CAREFUL WITH MEDICINE

  • Keep all medicine out of reach from children and in its original container
  • Do not keep medicine in purses, or keep purses out of reach
  • Do not call medicine “candy” or take medicine in front of children as they love to copy you.
  • Use a measuring syringe or dropper given, do not guess
  • Give the right amount by following written directions, call the pharmacist if unsure
  • Make sure babysitters or caregivers have clear instructions for giving medicine

If your child has swallowed or come in contact with poison: Do not wait and call immediately!

Have the container when you call.
Do not have anyone throw up unless advised by the Poison Control Center

Dental Places Accepting Medicaid and CHIP

People’s Community Clinic is not connected with any of the following services. This list is a courtesy, not a recommendation for any specific location. You will be responsible for any changes. We are not able to help with appointments or directions to these places. Please call them for further information and to confirm they are taking Medicaid and CHIP.

  • Access Dental of 7th St

    1923 E. 7th St. Ste. 120 Austin, TX 78702 42

  • Access Dental of Ed Bluestein

    7112 Ed Bluestein Blvd. Ste. 130 Austin, TX 78723 50

  • Access Dental of Rundberg

    825 E Rundberg Lane Al Austin, TX 78753 40

  • Access Dental William Cannon

    801 E. William Cannon Dr. Ste. 201 Austin, TX 7874551

  • Austin Family & Pediatric Dentistry

    4631 Airport Blvd Ste. 120A Austin, TX 78751 45

  • Mid-Town Oral Surgery Casmedes

    901 W. 38th St. Ste. 410 Austin, TX 78705 42

  • Central Family Dental Center

    2719 E. 7th St. Austin, TX 78702 33

  • Central Texas Pediatric Dentistry

    1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd. Ste. 1430 Austin, TX 7872352

  • Dentalsaurus, Dr. Sofia Luque

    2500 W. William Cannon Dr. Ste. 507 Austin, TX 7874552

  • Johnson, Daniel. DDS

    1005 W. 38th St. Ste. 200 Austin, TX 78705 43

  • River Rock Dental East Riverside

    4410 East Riverside Dr. Ste. 150 Austin. TX 78741 50

  • River Rock Dental Mueller

    1801 E. 51st St. Ste. 390 Austin, TX 78723 43

  • River Rock Dental Norwood

    1030 Norwood Park Blvd. Ste. 324 Austin, TX 78753 50

  • River Rock Dental South Park Meadows

    9500 South IH 35 Ste. E-400 Austin, TX 7874844

  • River Rock Dental Stassney

    5717 South IH 35 frontage Rd. Austin. TX 78744 47

  • The Smile Center Airport Office

    1144 Airport Blvd. Ste. 240 Austin, TX 78702 45

  • The Smile Center 290/Cameron Office

    6611 E. Highway 290 Austin, TX 78722 37

  • The Smile Center fiesta Office

    3909 N. 11-1 35 Suite Al Austin, TX 78722 42

  • The Smile Center North Lamar Office

    8522 North Lamar Austin, TX 78753 34

  • The Smile Center Oltorf Office

    2121 Oltorf St Ste. 103 Austin, TX 78741 41

  • The Smile Center Parmer Office

    2501 W. Parmer Lane Ste. 800 Austin, TX 7872745

  • The Smile Center Round Rock Office

    1201 S. IH 35 Suite 318 Round Rock, TX 78664 45

  • The Smile Center Stassney Office

    512 West Stassney Ste. 106 Austin, TX 7874543

Other Low Cost Dental Services

  • Manos De Cristo Dental Clinic

    4611 Harmon Avenue Austin TX, 78751 36

    No service for children under 7 years of age

  • Ben White Dental Clinic

    1221 W. Ben White Ste. 112B Austin, TX 7870444

  • North Central Health Center

    1210 W. Braker Lane Austin, TX 78758 37

  • South Austin Health Center

    2529 South 1st St. Austin, TX 78704 36

Protect your children from lead poison

LEAD IS POISON TO:

  • Red Blood Cells
  • Kidneys
  • Reproductive Organs
  • Bones
  • The Brain
  • Even Children Who Are Not Born Yet!
  • Children, Especially Under the Age of 6

LEAD IS FOUND IN:

  • Some Peeling Paint
  • Batteries
  • Lead Pipes
  • Bullets and Lead Weights
  • Folk Remedies
  • Food Grown in Contaminated Soil
  • Lead-Glazed Pottery or Pewter Dishes

YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR CHILD!

  • Have your child’s blood tested for lead.

Peeling Paint

  • Cover areas that have peeling paint with paneling, wallpaper, or sheet-rock
  • Do not remove peeling lead-based paint yourself. Lead dust can be deadly if you breathe it in.

Food

  • Feed your child three healthy meals and two nutritious snacks each day. Your child’s stomach absorbs more lead when it is empty.
  • Give your child foods high in iron (like beans, fortified cereals, and raisins) and calcium (like milk, yogurt, and cheese). Calcium and iron help keep lead out of your child’s blood.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables before eating. Wash hands before meals.

Other

  • Do not use water from the hot tap for drinking, cooking, or preparing infant formula.
  • Do not cook or store food in cans, pottery, ceramics, or leaded crystal. Some cans have seams made with lead. Some pottery (including Mexican beanpots), ceramics, and crystal also contain lead.
  • Do not let your children play near abandoned autos or with automobile batteries or radiators.
  • Plant grass and shrubs over bare dirt in the yard.
  • Damp-mop floors often and clean surfaces with a strong household cleaner.

Who can I call if I have questions about lead?

  • Your local health department
  • Your doctor
  • Texas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 1-800-588-1248

Breastfeeding Beyond 6 Months

Why is breastfeeding beyond 6 months important?

Breastfeeding beyond 6 months can help improve the long-term health and well-being of both you and your baby.

Health Benefits

  • Breastmilk continues to provide protection against illnesses for as long as breastfeeding continues.
  • The longer your child breastfeeds, the less likely he is to become overweight or develop diabetes later in life.
  • The longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk of breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Emotional Benefits

  • Nursing can be a great way to comfort your older baby or toddler when he is ill, tired, upset, or hurt. Many moms will tell you this is one of the greatest benefits of nursing beyond 6 months.

These are just a few of the reasons that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend breastfeeding for the first year of your baby’s life and after that for as long as mutually desired.

What if my baby is teething?

Breastfeeding can continue even when your baby is teething. Physically, it is impossible to bite and nurse at the same time. This is because your baby’s tongue is between the bottom teeth and your breast. However, teething can cause your baby’s gums to hurt and itch. Some babies may try rubbing their gums on mom’s breast to soothe this soreness.

Here are some tips to avoid this:

  • Take your baby off the breast when he is no longer actively nursing.
  • If you feel your baby begin to bite down, quickly bring him in close to you. This will cause him to open his mouth.
  • If baby does not open his mouth insert your finger into the corner of his mouth to break the suction.
  • Gently but firmly say, “No” and wait a few minutes before offering to breastfeed again.

How do I introduce solid foods?

Breastmilk is all your baby needs for the first 6 months of life. Beyond 6 months, babies need breastmilk and solid foods to get the perfect amount of calories, protein, iron, and zinc.

When your baby is around 6 months old you can begin introducing solid foods in any order. Here are some general guidelines for healthy, full-term infants:

  • Protect your milk supply by nursing first; then offer a small amount of solid food.
  • Introduce solids slowly and gradually. Start with a small amount, about one to two teaspoons.
  • Start with single ingredient foods. For example, chicken, carrots or peaches.
  • Wait two to three days before offering a new food. This way if your baby has an allergic reaction to a certain food, it is easy to identify which one it is.
  • Let your baby guide you on how much food to feed.

Your breastmilk will continue to provide the majority of your baby’s calories as well as the protection needed to stay healthy and grow.

Can I nurse my older infant or toddler in public?

Breastfeeding in public is protected by law in the state of Texas. This means that in Texas you can breastfeed anywhere you and your baby have the right to be.

Nursing an older baby or toddler privately in public can be a little trickier than nursing a younger baby. Older infants and toddlers are easily distracted, do not like things covering their heads, and tend to move around a lot when they are nursing.

As your baby gets older, it is easier to predict his nursing schedule. If you do not feel comfortable with nursing in public try the following:

Breastfeed right before you leave your home or a comfortable nursing location.

  • Offer expressed milk in a cup or bottle.
  • Offer a healthy snack.
  • Distract your child with a toy, a book, or magazine; he may just want to be held close to you.

Remember, Texas law supports your right to breastfeed in public.

Should I continue nursing if I become pregnant?

You do not need to quit nursing during a healthy pregnancy. Breastfeeding does not take any nutrients away from your unborn baby.

At the time of delivery, breastmilk turns back to colostrum for the new baby. Colostrum is a natural laxative so you may notice a difference in your toddler’s diapers. Don’t worry – this is completely natural.

Changes in the taste and amount of breastmilk may cause older infants and toddlers to wean; but many moms continue to nurse their older children even after the new baby is born.

If you have any medical problems with your pregnancy, talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breastfeeding.

When does weaning occur?

The process of weaning begins naturally around 6 months of age, when solid foods are introduced, and continues as your child becomes interested in activities other than nursing. By the time your toddler is one year of age, he is often only nursing a few times a day.

Many toddlers will lose interest in nursing and wean themselves between the ages of one and two. Others may nurse longer, and most will only nurse a few times a day – like in the morning, at nap time, or before bed. This is perfectly normal.

There is no set time to wean from breastfeeding. The World Health Organization recognizes breastmilk as the best nourishment for infants and young children. If someone recommends weaning before you and your child are ready, be honest and explain how important breastfeeding is to both of you.

For help with questions or breastfeeding support:

Call the Texas Lactation Support Hotline at
1-855-550-6667

Or visit breastmilkcounts.com

The 5 FIND Elements of Serve and Return

The early years of a child’s life are important because their brains are growing. The experiences that a child has affects how their brain grows. One of the most important things adults do to support healthy brain development is called Serve and Return. Children serve when they do something, say something, or look at something. Adults return the serve when they respond. It’s these everyday moments that promote healthy brain development in young children.

Woman and child playing with a dandelion

Sharing a Child's Focus

This happens when you notice a child’s serve, and get interested in what they are doing, seeing, or feeling.

Noticing serves helps you identify a child’s interests and needs, and gives you an opportunity to respond.

Mother and father helping baby eat a banana

Supporting and Encouraging

You give support when you comfort a child, provide them with something they want or need, or help them do or understand something.

You encourage a child when you praise them, play with them, or acknowledge them.

Returning serves with support and encouragement strengthens your relationship with a child.

Woman helping children paint on paper

Naming

Naming happens when you provide a word or label for what a child is doing, seeing, or feeling.

Returning serves with naming helps build language. Naming feelings helps children learn about their emotions and how to cope with them.

Man holding out a blue ball to young child

Back and Forth

Once you return a serve with support, encouragement, or naming, interactions often go Back and Forth. Waiting for a child to respond gives them time to come up with their own ideas and responses.

These longer interactions build thinking, language, and social skills.

Baby crawling on ground with woman behind him encouraing

Endings and Beginnings

This happens when a child shows you they are all done with one activity, they serve by showing interest in something new, and you join them in the new activity.

Child led Endings and Beginnings encourages a child to explore their environment, and can help transitions go more smoothly.

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Filming Interactions to Nurture Development (FIND) is a strengths-based, video coaching program for parents and other caregivers of young children.

To participate in FIND offered at PCC, contact: Celina Nance 512-684-1749