6-Month-Old Baby (27 Weeks)
Vaccinations and Your BabyFor the last 6 months you have been bringing your baby to his healthcare provider for a number of well baby visits, at which he has received a number of infant immunizations. Unfortunately, the safety of infant vaccines has come under fire in the past few years.
As a parent in today's society, it is hard to tell what is true and what is a product of media speculation. The best way to handle all of the misinformation and inaccurate buzz out there is to educate yourself about the vaccines, the diseases they protect against, and any side effects that may exist.
Nap Time 101Most 6-month-old babies need about 14 hours of sleep every day. Thankfully, most of that sleep will take place during the nighttime. Older babies have adapted their sleeping schedules to be closer to yours, with more awake time during the day and longer sleeping periods at night. Equally important is the daytime sleep known as nap time.
The amount of time an infant spends napping can vary by age. The average 6-month-old baby needs approximately 3 1/2 hours of daytime sleep. For some, that could mean a bunch of short naps spread throughout the day. For others, it could mean two solid naps, one mid-morning and the other in the afternoon. Knowing how much sleep your baby needs can help take the guesswork out of the equation.
(To learn how you can help your baby get those daytime Zzzs, read Nap Time.)
Helpful Tips for Parents of a 6-Month-Old BabyPraising your baby's good behavior is a good habit to get into. Positive reinforcement from the beginning is much easier and effective than punishment for bad behavior down the line. This will encourage good behavior and let your child know what makes you happy.