Vaccine today: Injections:  PCV-15, Vaxelis, (Possible) Influenza (Seasonal), Oral Liquid (Swallow): Rotavirus 

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Rapid growth and development with strong baby conversations, new sound localizing abilities, and interactive games and playtime, makes this age increasingly special. Your baby recognizes you and may start feeling anxious around strangers.  Abilities of nearly sitting upright without support and possibly rolling around the room demands continuous supervision to avoid injury and choking hazards. Babies love to explore objects with their mouths, drooling and chewing on everything! Teething is possible. (Starts around 6 - 7 months.) Brushing your baby’s teeth if they erupt is a new added twice daily routine. 

 

Sleep routines and consistency are important. Put your baby to bed when drowsy but still awake. Holding, rocking, or feeding until completely asleep makes it hard for babies to go back to sleep if woken during the night. Babies may wake up once for feeding but they may be able to self sooth back to sleep without feeding. 

Avoid using breast feeding / bottle feeding for comfort at bedtime or naptime.  Make daytime playtime.  Use your daytime outdoor walks for interacting with your baby, NOT for sleeping.  These efforts will help lengthen daytime wakefulness and facilitate longer night sleeping.  If not addressed, bedtime frustrations increase.

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Depending on readiness and nutritional needs, babies 4 – 6 months may slowly start eating baby foods. Some babies may take longer. Babies watching you eat, interested in food, reaching and eager to be fed with good neck control in a highchair, may be ready for baby foods. 

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Feeding takes some getting used to. Babies start out quite messy, pushing food out with their tongues, dribbling food everywhere. Try diluting foods the first few times; then, gradually thicken the texture. 

No one first food choice is best.  But I recommend starting with green vegetables (Yes, Poi is OK) and every few days add other varieties of vegetables and fruits, including baby food made with meat, a good source of needed iron and zinc.  Baby cereal is OK, but avoid rice-based cereals. 
Once feeding without difficulty, offer water in a sippy cup.  Adjust amount as needed to keep stool soft.  Don’t worry about giving too much!  Your baby will let you know when done.  

 

Within a few months of starting solid foods, your baby's diet should include a variety of foods, such as breast milk or formula; meats; cereal; vegetables; fruits; eggs; and fish.  We now understand, early introduction of eggs, dairy, soy, peanuts, and fish may help decrease risk of food allergies.  If you believe your baby has an allergic reaction to a food, such as diarrhea, rash, or vomiting let me know.  
Do not give your baby any food that requires chewing.  Do NOT follow “Baby Led Weaning.” Choking risk! 
Avoid juice. Puree fruit is better. Avoid HONEY. 

How much foods to give?  At this age, Breastmilk and/or formula still supply most of your baby’s calories.  However, by 12 months of age, your baby should be taking about 10-18 oz of formula or breastmilk, foods, and water.  Adjust feedings with this goal in mind.  

 

Tip:  If using bottles of breastmilk and/or formula, try offering a small amount in a sippy cup intermittently. This may help transitioning to cup feedings later. 

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