Six- to Seven-Month-Olds

Ages and Stages Photo Gallery

While continuing to give 4 to 5 feedings of breast milk or an iron fortified infant formula (24 to 32 ounces) and 4 or more tablespoons of an iron fortified cereal each day, you can now start to give well-cooked, strained, or mashed vegetables, and fruits or commercially prepared baby foods.

Delay giving finger foods until your baby is eight- to nine-months-old.

Remember that while many moms wean their babies at about six months, the American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend that "breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child."

What You Need To Know About Your Six-Month-Old Baby

• Your infant will probably have given up middle of the night feedings by this age (although some breastfed infants continue to have a feeding in the middle of the night). If not, and your baby is gaining weight well, slowly reduce how much you are putting in the bottle each night and gradually stop this feeding all together.
• Your infant has probably doubled his birthweight by now.
• If using a pacifier, now is a good time to start restricting its use to only when your baby is in his crib, or giving it up all together.
• Now would be a good time to begin childproofing your home, before your child is too mobile.
• Although you can now use sunscreen on your baby, avoid too much sun exposure.
• The timing of when your baby's first tooth comes in can vary quite a bit.
• At the six-month checkup, you can expect a complete physical exam, a review of feeding and sleep schedules, measurement of your child's height, weight and head circumference, and immunizations, including DTaP, IPV, HepB (these three may be combined in the combo vaccine Pediarix), Hib, Prevnar, RotaTeq.

• Common Infant Problems

  • Thrush
  • Diaper Rashes
  • Constipation
  • Infant Reflux and Spitting Up
  • Heat Rash
  • Eczema
  • Cradle Cap
  • Breath Holding Spells

Six-Month-Old Baby Topics

• Your Six Month Old
• Infant Well Child Checklist
• Vitamin D Update
• Starting Solids
• Breastfeeding Goals
• Positional Plagiocephaly
• Fruit Juice
• Nursing Strikes and Early Weaning
• Baby Formula Slowdown
• When Can You Stop Burping Your Baby?
• Baby Walkers - Are they safe?
• What safety seat to use for a big baby or toddler?
• Safety
• Parenting: Babies & Toddlers
• Best Infant Products

^Sources:

AAP Policy Statement. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. PEDIATRICS Vol. 115 No. 2 February 2005, pp. 496-506.