Well Baby Report - 6 Month Guide

What to expect at your six-month visit
Here are a few things your doctor might discuss with you at the six-month visit.

• Your baby is probably eating solid foods, but is still not ready for cow’s milk. Continue breastfeeding or feeding with your current formula for at least the next six months.
• Your baby should have a regular sleep schedule. He or she should be sleeping through the night and having regular naps during the day. On average, he or she should be sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day.
• You might be ready to begin or return to an exercise program, check with your doctor if you have any questions.
• You might want to discuss your concerns about daycare if you have returned to work.

• DTP series (#3)
• Hib (#3)
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (#3) (6-18 months)
• Polio vaccine (#3) (6-18 months)
• Pneumococcal 7-valent

Today’s Report For Your 6-month-Old

Child’s name  

Examined by Dr.  

Weight  

%

Length  

%

Head  

%

Hepatitis B (#2)

Hib (#3)

Polio vaccine (#2)

DTP series (#2)

Pneumococcal 7-valent

Feeding your baby
You should be gradually introducing new fruits, vegetables, and other types of baby food.

By introducing only a few foods each week, you will ensure that your baby is not allergic to specific types of foods. This also gives your baby time to adapt to new tastes and textures.

Your baby is still too young for cow’s milk. If you are breastfeeding, keep taking care of yourself and watching what you eat. Remember, everything that goes into your body is entering your baby's. If your baby is bottle-feeding (formula) continue to do so. He or she should be taking about 22 to 26 ounces each day.

Always watch your baby while he or she eats, and make sure you know what to do if your baby chokes. Avoid foods like hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, grapes, apple chunks, carrots, and celery sticks, as well as other hard, raw fruits and vegetables. These foods can cause choking.

Developmental milestones
Keep in mind that children develop at their own rates. These milestones are common to infants at this age, but it is completely normal for your child to reach some quickly and others at a slower rate. Milestones can include the following:

• Responds to sound
• Looks at human faces
• Follows faces with eyes
• Responds to parents’ faces and voices
• Briefly lifts head when lying on stomach
• Moves arms and legs
• Coos, or makes non-crying sounds
• Becomes more alert and aware of surroundings
• Sleeps for three to four hours at a time
• Stays awake for one hour or longer

Exercise basics
One of the biggest changes you’ve experienced since the birth of your baby is probably been in your body. Whether you want to begin exercising to lose weight, feel better about yourself, or simply increase your energy level, here are some tips to help you get started.

How do I begin planning my exercise routine?
Here are some questions you can think about before choosing a routine:

• What physical activities do I enjoy?
• Do I prefer group or individual activities?
• Are there any activities I can do with my baby?
• What programs best fit my schedule?
• Do I have physical conditions that limit my choice of exercise?
• What goals do I have in mind (losing weight, strengthening muscles, or improving flexibility, for example)?

How do I get started?
When starting out, you should plan a routine that is easy to follow and stay with. As the program becomes more routine, you can vary your exercise times and activities.

• Choose an activity you enjoy. Exercising should be fun and not a chore. You might even be able to include your baby. Try jogging or walking with the stroller and think of your little bundle of joy as a 12+ pound weight. Exercise can double as playtime.
• Schedule regular exercise into your daily routine. Add a variety of exercises so you do not get bored.
• Stick with it. If you exercise regularly, it will soon become part of your lifestyle.

• A playpen is a safe environment in which to play.
• DO NOT place your infant in a walker. It is unsafe at any age and at any speed.
• Cover electrical outlets.
• Eliminate home hazards:
  - Secure dangling cords.
  - Turn in pot and pan handles on the stove.
  - Secure hot liquids.
  - Eliminate table cloths.
  - Put away small objects that can be swallowed.
• Keep medicines and poisons in locked cabinets.
• If a poison is swallowed, call the POISON CONTROL CENTER at 1-800-222-1222.
• Keep poisonous house plants out of reach.
• Always use a car seat

• Rattle, large rings, squeeze or sucking toys
• Toys that play lullabies, nursery rhymes, or poems
• Bright pictures of faces hung so baby can see them
• Bells firmly attached to baby’s wrist, ankle, booties
• Cardboard or vinyl books with bright colors
• Brightly patterned crib sheets
• Mobile with parts visible from baby’s position

Should I call the doctor?
Yes. If your baby:

• Becomes sluggish or inactive
• Will not eat
• Cries more than usual
• Has a fever at any age
• Vomits repeatedly (not just spitting up)
• Has frequent loose, watery bowel movements
• Breathes rapidly, wheezes, or has any difficulty breathing

Before you call your child's doctor or nurse, write down your child’s symptoms. Take his or her temperature. Have your pharmacy’s phone number on-hand to tell the doctor and a notepad on hand to write down any instructions.