Information for the Well Child
Six to nine months
Nutrition
Six months is the age recommended for starting solid foods. Start slowly. Add one new food every 4-5 days..
At 7 to 9 months, most infants can and will take finger foods. Start with tiny pieces of soft foods, such as bits of banana, sweet potato, pears, squash, etc. Later, you can try Cheerios and bits of soft cheeses.
Most infants eat best mid-morning and mid-afternoon. On awakening, midday and in the evening, most just want their breast milk or formula.
Return to Top
Development
Most 6-month-olds are rolling. They often begin to crawl by seven to nine months (some never crawl—this is usually NOT abnormal.) Raking to grasping usually begins. Increasingly colorful sounds are developing. By nine months, many are beginning to pull to stand, so objects on top of tables can become a hazard.
Continue to talk and sing to your baby frequently. Play soft music, such as classical and soft jazz, frequently.
Return to Top
Safety
The biggest health threats for the next 5 to 6 years are accidents. Start baby-proofing. Read the accident prevention sheet. Start by crawling around your residence looking for dangers—sharp corners, protruding screws, electrical outlets under and behind furniture, cords, choking hazards and anything that can cuase burns. If you have not done so, lower the crib mattress. Remove soft bedding because rolling babies can suffocate on blankets, bumper pads, comforters, pillows, etc. Most infant car seats have a 26-inch length limit (some have 29 or 30-inch limits). Most infants exceed 26 inches by 5-7 months. If this is the case with your infant, put him/her in a larger convertible car seat, in the rear-facing position until at least 12 months of age and preferably longer.
Return to Top
Shoes
Shoes are solely for the protection of the foot. Infants and children walk best barefooted. They use their toes to balance. Barefoot walking strengthens the foot. If your floor is too cold, use ‘gripper socks,’ ‘TV booties,’ or Robeez-type shoes. There is no need for shoes until your child is walking outside. When purchasing shoes, the closer they are to barefoot and still provide puncture protection, the better. Shoes need not be expensive. They need to meet 3 criteria: the shoe should be flexible enough to be bent in half with 2 fingers and a thumb, there should be a tread, but one that is not too sticky, and they should be canvas or leather—no vinyl shoes.
Return to Top
|
