Caring for a 6-month-old baby is nonstop action. Sleep habits may be changing, you may still be breastfeeding, and your baby is most likely showing an interest in solid food. One thing that's for sure, as your little one develops, the questions will just keep coming.
Breastfeeding
Q: I exclusively breastfeed my 6-month-old baby and I want to introduce solids but continue breastfeeding. Any advice?
A: As your baby's fine-motor abilities and tongue control develop over the next few months, it's a great time for him to explore soft textured foods. Here are a few points to keep in mind to support breastfeeding through the first year and beyond.
- Always breastfeed first before you introducing your baby to something new. In the beginning, it's a good idea to offer complimentary foods once a day around 30 to 60 minutes after a full breastfeeding session.
- Choose iron-rich foods when starting solids. This includes foods like chicken, beef, peas, eggs, beans, fish, and iron-fortified cereals.
- Add a second then a third "meal" of complimentary foods as your baby's appetite and interest in solids increase. Continue to breastfeed before all meals.
- Allow your baby to eat as much of his solids as he desires. His appetite may vary from day to day, so respect your baby's signs of fullness, such as turning his head away, closing his lips tight, or pushing the food away.
Sleep
Q: My baby was sleeping 6 to 8 hour stretches when she was only 3 months old. Now that she's 6 months she's actually sleeping shorter stretches, sometimes only 2 to 3 hours. What am I doing wrong?
A: If sleep has become disrupted with maturity, now is a good time to sleep coach. Be sure to put your baby in her crib awake during non-sleep times so she gets familiar with it, as this will create a positive association when it's time to say goodnight. At bedtime try to put your baby down in the crib comfortable but awake, helping her fall asleep while you stay close by. Plan to work your way out of the room in increments over several nights as your baby learns to put herself to sleep.
Some other ideas for promoting good sleep:
- Discuss night weaning with your pediatrician to eliminate any unnecessary night feeds.
- Help your baby learn the skill of falling asleep in her crib.
- Change any parent-dependent sleep associations, like being held, rocked, or fed to sleep.
- Ensure naps are scheduled at consistent times each day.
Starting Solids
Q: My baby is approaching 6 months and seems ready to start solids, but I don't know how to begin. Where do I start?
A: This is one of the most exciting times for both you and your little one. Try not to let it get too overwhelming; let these three tips be your guide.
- When do I start? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the introduction to solid foods at or around the age of 6 months.
- What foods to start first? Start out slow! There's no right or wrong food to begin with, but most pediatricians and nutritionists recommend starting out with infant cereals since they are fortified with iron and zinc which are important for growth and development. Single-grain cereals like rice, oatmeal, and barley are excellent examples. In addition to introducing single-grain cereals, you can offer single vegetables (carrots, squash, green beans, peas, and so on) and single fruits (applesauce, bananas, peaches, pears, and so forth). You can also introduce meats, beans, and legumes – just make sure they are cooked and serve them pureed, mashed, or as a soft finger. Most important, have fun exploring new foods!
- How much food? You can start with small amounts and slowly work up to the recommended amounts. The amount of foods depends upon different milestones, and each baby reaches these at different stages.
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