6 Months of Age

What to Expect at the 6-Month Well Visit:

• Third DTaP / Polio / Hep B / Hib vaccine
• Third pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) vaccine
• Third rotavirus (RV) vaccine

See the full immunization schedule ›

Safety:

• Your infant is moving more; be aware that they can fall off surfaces. Never leave the baby unattended on a bed, changing table or sofa.
• Continue to use a rear-facing car seat secured in the backseat of the car.
• Never drink hot liquids while holding your baby or near your baby to avoid burns from accidental spills.
• Make sure your water heater temperature is set to a maximum of 120° F.
• Lower the mattress to lowest level.
• Review handouts provided at the visit in the Safety Packet, especially childproofing your home.
• Keep the Poison Control Number in your phone or readily available: 1-800-222-1222
• AAP recommends insect repellents should be less than 30% DEET and used for infants 2 months old and older. Wash off skin with soap and water when done. Wash clothes before wearing again. Do not use combination DEET and sunscreen products. Apply permethrin for ticks to clothes, not to skin.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, reapplying every 2 hours, and avoid peak sun intensity of 10 am to 3 pm.

Development:

• Transfers objects between hands.
• Sits with support; by 7 months sits without support.
• Rolls from back to front.
• May start with separation anxiety.
• Babbles.
• Likes to look at self in the mirror.
• Responds to own name.
• Responds to other people’s emotions.
• Can show joy and displeasure.

Diet:

• Breastfed infants can start solids. May only breastfeed 3 to 5 times a day.
• Formula fed infants, once they reach 30 oz. a day, can start solids (preferably rice cereal initially). Mix formula with cereal and feed from a spoon. Feed this one new food for 3 to 4 days in a row. Then introduce a new food. No cereal in bottle at all. Use a coated spoon to feed solids.
• Offer stage 1 to 2 foods or puree fruits, vegetables and/or meats. Will eat three meals a day.
• Another concept of introducing solids is Baby Led Weaning. Personal preference plays a role on starting your child on solids.
• Introduce peanut products into diet (refer to “Introducing Peanut Products to Your Baby” (From Massachusetts General Hospital) or “5 Easy Ways to Introduce Peanut Foods to Your Infant” (From PreventPeanutAllergies.org) for specific recommendations).
• Also see our FAQ: When should I start to feed my baby peanut butter?

Other Helpful Notes:

• Teething: Do not use ORAGEL® or similar numbing gels. The ingredients are known to cause a rare serious disorder called methemoglobinemia. Offer cool, soft teething rings or toys.
• Brush any erupted teeth with a soft infant brush and a tiny dab of fluoride kid’s toothpaste.

Watch Out For:

• Please notify your provider if your baby is not babbling, does not laugh, does not respond to sounds, or does not show affection for caregivers.