At six months of age, your baby completes his transformation from a crying or sleepy newborn into a more social and interactive being. His larger size---usually twice that of his birth weight, according to Medline Plus--and well-established eating patterns often mean more sleep for the entire family. With new skills come new challenges, so make sure your home is ready for a soon to be mobile baby.
Awareness
Expect your six-month-old to appear more alert and aware of his environment. Babies who once napped in crowded or loud places might not do so anymore. Many babies sit up with support at this age, allowing them to more fully interact with other people. In fact, you might notice your baby smiling at strangers and babbling or blowing raspberries to attract attention to himself. The addition of solid foods to his diet means he can sit with you at the table during mealtimes and enjoy his own food.
Considerations
Watch for developmental concerns at this age, but remember that all babies grow and develop at their own pace. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests alerting your pediatrician if you child appears overly floppy or stiff, or if her head still falls backward when you pull her to a sitting position. The academy also recommends an evaluation if she cannot sit with support by six months, if she is unable to grab or reach for objects, or if she fails to laugh or squeal.
Nutrition
Even though your baby might get his first solid foods during this time period, breast milk and formula still need to make up the bulk of nutritional intake. Pediatrician and child development expert Dr. William Sears suggests viewing solid foods as an addition to breast milk or formula, not a substitute. Expect your baby to continue to gain about one and a half pounds a month in weight. The size of six-month-old babies varies widely, however, so try not to worry too much about how much, or little, food your baby eats.
Warnings
Whether by rolling or crawling, many babies become mobile at some point between six and eight months. Childproof the house by covering outlet covers, gating off stairs, and removing glass or breakable objects from low shelves to make the environment safe for your newly mobile baby. Avoid confining the baby to a play yard or play saucer--give her plenty of floor time so she can develop the coordination to crawl and eventually walk.
Stranger Anxiety
Expect stranger anxiety and separation anxiety to develop at some point after six months. This will often lead your baby to fuss when you leave the room or cry when other people get too close to him. Pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene suggests this reaction usually lasts about two to four months and coincides with a new skill known as "object permanence." Object permanence causes your baby to remember people and objects even after they go away---motivating him to look for toys he drops or cry for you when you leave him at daycare or the babysitter's house.
