6 - 8 Months of Age

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR BABY

  • Each baby has a different temperament and personality. Learning about your baby’s temperament can make parenting more enjoyable.
  • Talk, sing and read sturdy books with bright pictures and different textures. Have the baby touch the pages. Use both active (playing with toys) and quiet play times (reading, singing).
  • Use interactive toys that he/she can roll, activity centers, stuffed animals, and blocks to bang together.
  • Place your baby in front of the mirror. Talk, laugh, and make faces together.
  • Call to your baby when you are out of sight. See if he looks in the direction of your voice.
  • Introduce the words, “no-no”.
  • Under close supervision, play games picking up Cheerios, crumbs or toys.
  • Take your baby out for stroller rides and to the grocery store.
  • Put your baby in a high chair or upright seat so he/she can explore with his eyes and interact more with the family.
  • Play games such as pat-a-cake, “so big”, peek-a-boo, hide and seek.

 

KEEP YOUR BABY SAFE

  • Your baby will continue to move around more. Providing a safe environment for exploration and curiosity is very important.

Car and Bike Safety

  • Your baby is safest if he rides rear-facing in the back seat until he reaches the weight and height limits allowed by the manufacturer of your car seat. He should remain rear-facing until two years of age or 30#.
  • Check for proper installation with the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
  • Never leave your baby unattended or alone in a car.
  • Model safe behavior by wearing your seatbelt.
  • Require ALL members of your family to use booster seats, seatbelts, bike helmets and protective sports gear.
  • Do not put your baby in a bicycle seat before he/she can sit unsupported.
  • Everyone in your family should always wear CPSC-approved helmets when bike riding.

Poison Control

  • Keep household cleaners, soaps, medicines and vitamins locked up and out of reach.
  • If your baby eats or comes in contact with something that could be poisonous, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.
  • Do not make your child vomit unless directed by the Poison Control Center to do so.

Burns

  • Check the temperature of the bath water on your wrist to make sure it is not too hot.
  • Your water heater should be set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Use appropriate barriers around space heaters, wood stoves and kerosene heaters.
  • Keep your child away from hot stoves, fireplaces, grills and fire pits.
  • Use cool mist humidifiers.
  • Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every level of the home and near sleeping areas.
  • Keep electrical cords out of reach and cover electrical outlets with safety plugs.

General Safety Tips

  • Use gates at the top and bottom of stairways.
  • Lower your baby’s crib mattress to the lowest setting.
  • Never use baby walkers.
  • Keep small or dangerous objects away from your baby’s reach, including latex balloons.
  • Never leave your baby alone for a second in the bath water or on high places.
  • The kitchen is the most dangerous room for children. Put your baby in a playpen, crib, activity center or high chair if he/she cannot have your full attention.
  • To prevent choking, limit finger foods to soft foods not much larger in size than a Cheerio. Always supervise your child closely.
  • Review child care and safety with baby-sitters. Always provide a contact number where you can be reached and emergency number instruction such as 911.

Guns and Sharp objects

  • The safest thing is to never have a gun in the house.
  • If you have a gun, store it unloaded and locked away. Ammunition must be locked separately away from the gun.
  • Keep knives, scissors and other sharp objects out of reach.


KEEP YOUR BABY HEALTHY

Fever

  • Fever at this age is a normal response to illness. You may give acetaminophen to relieve any discomfort.
  • Please call our office for an appointment if your baby’s fever lasts more than 72 hours or there are symptoms that concern you.

Vaccines

  • Keep your baby vaccinated on the schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and our doctor. Splitting doses can be risky and is NEVER recommended by your doctor! Check with your insurance company before each well visit. Ask about deductibles, maximum benefits and if they pay for ANY PART of the cost of vaccines.
  • It is normal to have a fever for a couple of days after vaccination.

Smoking

  • Do not smoke.
  • Consider stopping smoking.
  • Do not smoke in your house or your car.
  • Do not allow others to smoke around your baby.

Hands

  • Wash your hands often and wash your child’s hands before meals and snacks.

Nutrition

  • Breastmilk or formula is still essential for your baby’s nutrition. This is also a time to introduce foods.
  • If your baby is taking an adequate amount of iron-fortified formula for growth, you do not need iron supplements in his/her diet.
  • If your baby is breastfeeding, provide good sources of iron in solid foods such as iron-fortified cereal and meats.
  • Vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) should be given to breastfed babies until they transition to taking more than 28 ounces of formula or are weaned to whole milk at one year of age.
  • Iron-rich foods are best absorbed when paired with foods rich in vitamin C, such as baby fruits.
  • Introduce one new food at a time for several days to a week. It may take 10-15 tries before your baby accepts a new food.
  • Offer solid food 2-3 times a day and let your baby decide how much to eat. Do not force your baby to eat or finish foods.
  • Do not give your baby honey before one year of age.
  • Juice is not needed. If desired, it is best offered during snack time when baby is taking solids more than 3 times a day. No more than 2-4 ounces each day should be offered.
  • You may introduce a sippy cup with water at mealtimes.
  • Do not add salt or sugar to food.

Dental health

  • City water contains fluoride which is important for dental health. If you have well water, check with the health department regarding fluoride levels.
  • Ask your baby’s health provider if a fluoride supplement is needed.
  • Clean your baby’s teeth by using only water and a soft toothbrush or cloth.
  • Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle.
  • Do not let your baby constantly sip on a bottle or walk around with one.

Sleep

  • It is normal for your baby to be fussy or irritable at times.
  • Regular daily naps and a variety of short play activities can help as well.
  • Place your baby in the crib when he is sleepy so that he will learn to sleep on his own. Give your baby the chance to learn self-calming skills by letting him cry at times.
  • Always place your baby on his back to sleep.
  • All sides of a crib or playpen are to be in the up position.
  • Do not use bumper pads .

Skin Protection

  • Your child’s skin is sensitive and burns easily. Avoid direct sunlight and use sunscreen (SPF 30) and a hat.
  • If needed, insect repellents with a DEET concentration of 30 % or less may be used.

NEVER SHAKE YOUR BABY. THIS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE.

Adapted from Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents—Third Edition: Joseph F. Hagan, Jr. MD, FAAP; Judith S. Shaw, RN, MPH, EdD; and Paula Duncan, MD, FAAP