Bright Futures Parent Handout: 6 Month Visit

How Your Family is Doing

• If you are worried about your living or food situation, talk with us. Community agencies and programs such as WIC and SNAP can also provide information and assistance.

• Don't smoke or use e-cigarettes. Keep your home and car smoke-free. Tobacco-free spaces keep children healthy.

• Don't use alcohol or drugs.

• Choose a mature, trained, and responsible babysitter or caregiver.

• Ask us questions about child care programs.

• Talk with us or call for help if you feel sad or very tired for more than a few days.

• Spend time with family and friends.

Your Baby's Development

• Place your baby so she is sitting up and can look around.

• Talk with your baby by copying the sounds she makes.

• Look at and read books together.

• Play games such as peekaboo, patty-cake, and so big.

• Don't have a TV on in the background or use a TV or other digital media to calm your baby.

• If your baby is fussy, give her safe toys to hold and put into her mouth. Make sure she is getting regular naps and playtimes.

Feeding Your Baby

• Know that your baby's growth will slow down.

• Be proud of yourself if you are still breastfeeding. Continue as long as you and your baby want.

• Use an iron-fortified formula if you are formula feeding.

• Begin to feed your baby solid food when he is ready.

• Look for signs your baby is ready for solids. He will

  • Open his mouth for the spoon.

  • Sit with support.

  • Show good head and neck control.

  • Be interested in foods you eat.

Starting New Foods

• Introduce one new food at a time.

• Use foods with good sources of iron and zinc, such as

  • Iron- and zinc-fortified cereal

  • Pureed red meat, such as beef or lamb

• Introduce fruits and vegetables after your baby eats iron- and zinc-fortified cereal or pureed meat well.

• Offer solid food 2 to 3 times per day; let him decide how much to eat.

• Avoid raw honey or large chunks of food that could cause choking.

• Consider introducing all other foods, including eggs and peanut butter, because research shows they may actually prevent individual food allergies.

• To prevent choking, give your baby only very soft, small bites of finger foods.

• Wash fruits and vegetables before serving.

• Introduce your baby to a cup with water, breast milk, or formula.

• Avoid feeding your baby too much; follow baby's signs of fullness, such as

  • Leaning back

  • Turning away

• Don't force your baby to eat or finish foods.

  • It may take 10 to 15 times of offering your baby a type of food to try before he likes it.

Healthy Teeth

• Ask us about the need for fluoride.

• Clean gums and teeth (as soon as you see the first tooth) 2 times per day with a soft cloth or soft toothbrush and a small smear of fluoride toothpaste (no more than a grain of rice).

• Don't give your baby a bottle in the crib. Never prop the bottle.

• Don't use foods or juices that your baby sucks out of a pouch.

• Don't share spoons or clean the pacifier in your mouth.

What to Expect at Your Baby's 9 Month Visit

We will talk about

• Caring for your baby, your family, and yourself

• Teaching and playing with your baby

• Disciplining your baby

• Introducing new foods and establishing a routine

• Keeping your baby safe at home and in the car

Safety

• Use a rear-facing–only car safety seat in the back seat of all vehicles.

• Never put your baby in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger airbag.

• If your baby has reached the maximum height/weight allowed with your rear-facing–only car seat, you can use an approved convertible or 3-in-1 seat in the rear-facing position.

• Put your baby to sleep on her back.

• Choose crib with slats no more than 2⅜ inches apart.

  • Lower the crib mattress all the way.

• Don't use a drop-side crib.

• Don't put soft objects and loose bedding such as blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and toys in the crib.

• If you choose to use a mesh playpen, get one made after February 28, 2013.

• Do a home safety check (stair gates, barriers around space heaters, and covered electrical outlets).

• Don't leave your baby alone in the tub, near water, or in high places such as changing tables, beds, and sofas.

• Keep poisons, medicines, and cleaning supplies locked and out of your baby's sight and reach.

• Put the Poison Help line number into all phones, including cell phones. Call us if you are worried your baby has swallowed something harmful.

• Keep your baby in a high chair or playpen while you are in the kitchen.

• Do not use a baby walker.

• Keep small objects, cords, and latex balloons away from your baby.

• Keep your baby out of the sun. When you do go out, put a hat on your baby and apply sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher on her exposed skin.