Months 6-9
Well baby check-ups
- Your baby is growing, and continues to need well baby check-ups at intervals throughout this first year, though you may not be going as frequently.
- If your baby shows signs of illness (fever, fussiness, refusal to eat, vomiting, diarrhea, increased sleepiness, or other symptoms), contact your pediatrician to see if your baby needs to be seen by them.
Feeding your baby
- Your baby may be ready for finger foods (soft, easy to swallow and doesn’t require chewing) when he or she can sit up without help and can bring his or her hand to the mouth. It is also good for baby to eat with the family at meal times.
- Baby may be putting things to his or her mouth, so be sure that things baby may touch are clean. Encourage everyone who is around baby to use good/frequent handwashing.
What does baby do, and what can you do for baby?
- Baby may be clingy with familiar adults and be afraid of strangers. Baby starts to babble lots of different sounds and will copy sounds and gestures of others.
- Baby may be standing while holding on, getting into a sitting position and sitting without support, and crawling.
- Contact your pediatrician if your baby isn’t doing those things.
Mom (and other caregivers) continue with routines as they are especially important now.
- Play games with baby, talk to baby, read and sing to baby.
- Pay attention to the way baby reacts to new situations and people; try to continue to do things that make your baby happy and comfortable.