Mama, you officially have a 6-month-old baby. Where did the time go?! How did your baby get to half a year already?!
Things are changing around here.
This month marks the introduction of solids if you haven’t already, and your little one is (hopefully!) finally sleeping in much longer stretches.
What else is in store for you both? Let’s take a look.
In this article: 📝
- 6-month milestones
- Your baby at 6 months
- Fun and games with your 6-month-old baby
6-month milestones
While 6-month-old development varies from baby to baby, there are some markers that you can anticipate at around this age.
One of the most exciting 6-month baby milestones is that they might be sitting up without support!
(Don’t stress if your little one is not there yet — but if you’re worried at all, don’t be shy about calling up your healthcare provider.)
Also, know that the days of putting your baby in one place and expecting them to stay there are numbered. That’s right, your little one will soon be on the move.
They may be getting ready for crawling by rocking back and forth on their hands and needs, building up momentum to wreak havoc on the world.
Prepare by doing some basic babyproofing — and also by thoroughly enjoying the peace that comes with having a still stationary child.
Another exciting development? Your 6-month-old will likely be chattering away in a language known only to them (and maybe the dog…).
In the next few months, you can be on the lookout for a possible “Mama” or “bye-bye”.
Your baby at 6 months
6-month-old baby weight
The average 6-month-old weighs about 16 to 18 pounds. Yes, they are now twice the weight of a cat and 40 times as heavy as a hamster. Cute, huh.
6-month-old baby food
That’s right, solid foods have arrived!
While breastmilk and/or formula are both still very much the staple of the daily menu, this is the month when you can introduce some solids to that little mouth if you haven’t already.
Signs that they are ready for this awesome next step?
They can sit and hold their head up without support and open their mouths when the choo-choo-train is on its way into the tunnel.
What do 6-month-old babies eat? Well, let’s take a look at some typical first foods:
- Cereal. Something nice and soft like oatmeal, barley, or rice should do the trick — and ideally a fortified infant cereal. As for consistency, start it runny and progress to a thicker consistency.
- Fruit and veg. There are no hard and fast rules here, but it may be easiest to try something mushy at first. Bananas are a great first, as are avocados. You may also want to squish up root vegetables like carrots and yams.
So now you know what to feed a 6-month-old baby.
What about foods to avoid? Anything that is a choking hazard (such as hot dogs, string cheese, and uncut grapes) and anything with too much sugar (like cookies or juice).
Also, steer clear of cow’s milk for a little longer as this may cause digestive issues.
It’s a good idea to introduce new foods slowly, and one at a time, so that you can be on the lookout for allergies.
How much baby food should a 6-month-old eat?
You and your little one will get into your groove schedule-wise.
Many parents start giving their baby solid food at just one meal, and then slowly progress to three meals and two snacks a day.
At first, each solid food “meal” will likely not include more than two or three spoonfuls of cereal or veg.
6-month-old baby sleeping habits
Your 6-month-old baby will typically sleep for about 14 to 15 hours a day, including nighttime sleep and 2-3 naps.
And guess what? The longest of these sleeping stints might just be through the night - fingers crossed!
We don’t want to jinx it, but you might be able to start getting a good night’s rest very soon.
But don’t worry if your baby is not sleeping through the night yet. Plenty of babies don’t at this age.
Fun and games with your 6-month-old baby
Having a 6-month-old baby means having your very own home entertainment center.
You are still firmly in what is known as the Golden Age of babyhood.
And 6-month-old milestones bring with them a host of literal fun and games.
Are you wondering, what should I do with my 6-month-old? Your little one probably loves to play.
It’s how they learn about themselves and the world. And the good news is you don’t have to go out and spend a fortune on toys.
6-month-old babies are very entertained by simple household objects.
Here are some fun ideas for 6-month-old baby toys and games:
6-month-old baby toys
- Anything with mirrors. Yup, they just can’t get enough of their own reflection.
- Bright colors. And this doesn’t have to be a special baby toy — it can be something you’ve got lying around your house already. Like a plastic plate. Thrilling!
- Shapes to hold and maneuver. As your baby starts to figure out the shapes and textures of the world around them, get those motor skills going by manipulating objects like crinkly blocks.
👶 Read also: 6 Toys for a 6-Month-Old
6-month-old baby games
- Point and name people and objects around you. Your 6-month-old baby is starting to think about language. They also may be familiar with their name and some familiar faces. Take baby on-the-go for your eye spy with a secure shoulder carrier, like these highly-rated ones by Baby Tula.
- Peek-a-boo. Object permanence has set in, and what better way to celebrate than a pretend disappearance.
👶 Don’t miss: 10 Fun Activities for 6-Month-Old Babies
As exciting as your 6-month baby and their developments are, remind yourself that you don’t have to enjoy every moment.
Things can be tiring and difficult too, especially if you’re thinking about going back to work soon.
Don’t forget to take time for yourself, and check-in with your support group - Peanut mamas will always have your back.
👶 Read next: 7-Month-Old Baby: Milestones & Development