Not every day of this amazing journey is easy, even after 6 months you might be bewildered with how fast your baby grows. Here are a few aspects and you would embark upon this journey:
Sleep
Help your baby sleep better
- 6-month-olds may not want to be put in bed. A stuffed animal or favorite blanket may make bedtime easier.
- Do not put a bottle in the bed with your baby.
- Develop a bedtime routine like singing a lullaby, playing a game, turning the lights out, etc.
- Make the routine the same every night.
- Be calm and consistent with your baby at bedtime.
Food
How do you know when your baby is ready for solids?
- When your baby is six months, he may be showing signs that he is ready for solids.
- Can hold his head up
- Can sit well with support
- Can take food off a spoon using his upper lip
- Has a healthy weight, of about double his birth weight
- Is curious about what you're eating
- Can grab finger food and put it in his mouth
Feeding
Begin to feed at 6 months
- Soft porridge, well-mashed food, 2 to 3 times each day
- 2 to 3 tablespoons at each meal
From 6 up to 9 months
- Mashed food, 2 to 3 times each day and 1 to 2 snacks
- 2 to 3 tablespoons up to one-half (1/2) cup at each meal
From 9 up to 12 months
- Finely chopped or mashed food and foods that baby can pick up with his or her fingers, 3 to 4 times each day and 1 to 2 snacks
- At least one half (1/2) cup at each meal
From 12 up to 24 months
- Family foods, chopped or mashed if necessary, 3 to 4 times each day and 1 to 2 snacks
- Three-quarters (3/4) up to 1 full cup at each meal
Foods you should not give your baby at this stage:
- Raw honey – Is known to cause botulism in an infant. Wait until 12 months to give your child honey.
- Cow’s milk - May not be able to digest it properly, and it may cause microscopic bleeding in their stool. Babies can, however, have some yogurt or cheese.
- Any food that is a choking hazard - You can give your baby pureed or soft, cooked carrots, but not a big, round, chunk of carrot that they might choke on.
- Certain types of fish in excess - Avoid giving your baby certain types of fish like some forms of tuna that contain higher amounts of mercury more than once a month. Whitefish, salmon, and light canned tuna are usually safe to give more often.
Safe preparation and storage
- Washing your hands with running water and soap before preparing food, and also before feeding your baby.
- Baby’s hands should be washed as well.
- Keep food covered before using.
- Prepare food in a clean area and keep it covered.
- A baby should have his or her own cup and bowl that no other member uses
- Serve food immediately after preparation.
- Thoroughly reheat any food that has been kept for more than an hour.