Caring Hands Pediatrics
North Office: 412-369-7720
Robinson Office: 412-921-2345
Babies should continue to drink breast milk or formula until 1 year of age.
If you haven't already started meats, your baby can start to eat meats. Do not give eggs or honey until 1 year of age. You can give your baby soft table foods that your baby can pick up with his or her fingers to feed himself. Do not give foods that your baby can choke on, such as peanuts, popcorn, raw carrots, or hard candy. Hot dogs and grapes should be cut into small pieces before giving them to your baby. Always supervise your baby while he or she is eating. Even though the pieces may be cut into small pieces, babies frequently put too much in their mouths. This also can cause choking.
Give vitamins if you are still breastfeeding and not giving any formula. If your water supply is not fluoridated, your baby may also need fluoride supplements.
Encourage your baby to drink from a cup to wean your baby off the bottle. You can put formula, breast milk, juice or water in the cup and gradually get your baby used to using it. If you give your baby juice, limit the juice intake to 4 ounces/day to limit the sugar consumption and help prevent tooth decay. Try to wean your baby off all bottles by 1 year of age.
Try to establish a good bedtime routine to help your child learn to fall asleep on his or her own and to sleep through the night. This may include something like reading a book, listening to music, and turning the lights off. Keep the bedtime hour and routine the same every night, so your baby knows what to expect.
Some babies who were previously sleeping well, start to show resistance to going to sleep and start waking up at night. This is often due to stranger/separation anxiety. If this happens, check on your baby briefly to be sure that your baby is ok, and leave the room. Avoid taking your baby out of the crib or giving a bottle. You can reassure your baby by going back to check on him at 5-10 minute intervals until he falls asleep.
Many babies have several teeth at this age. You can start to clean your child's teeth with a clean cloth or soft toothbrush after meals and before bedtime.
ALL children 6 months of age and older should receive a Flu vaccine every fall!
Your baby may get a fever and be fussy for 24-48 hours after the immunization. There may also be some soreness, redness and swelling at the site of the immunization. Acetaminophen may be given to help make your baby more comfortable.
For more detailed information about each vaccine, click on the above links.
300 Cedar Ridge Dr., Ste 309
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
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