Hi!
Your baby is now 6 months old! This is a fun age with lots of changes! This month is a special issue - we’ll talk about milestones and immunizations and then we’ll give you lots of information about introducing solid foods.
Does your child:
- Swipe at and reach for objects within view?
- Turn head and look in the direction of a new sound?
- Respond to own name?
- Smile and babble when given adult attention?
- Vocalize pleasure and displeasure? (squeal with excitement or grunt with displeasure)
- Seem to respond to some words? (daddy or bye bye)
- Make sounds while you are talking to him/her?
- Roll from back to side?
- Push up on hands when on tummy?
- Sit with support? (pillows)
- Use hands to reach, grasp, bang and splash?
- Bring toys to mouth?
- Pat and pull on your hair, glasses or face?
- Sleep and feed at regular times?
Follow up with your health care provider if you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions or if you have concerns about your child’s development. |
Immunization alert!
Your baby is due for another dose of the Pediacel immunization which protects your child against five diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and haemophilus influenza type b (Hib).
Flu shot
Your baby is now old enough to be immunized against influenza. The flu is a serious respiratory infection caused by a virus. The flu can cause a cough, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and even death. It is recommended that all babies get vaccinated because they are at high risk for serious problems.
The first time your child receives the flu shot, they will receive two doses, at least 4 weeks apart. The first dose stimulates their immune system. The second dose provides protection so that they will be able to fight off influenza.
Parents: don’t forget to get your flu shot at the same time! |
COVID-19
Your baby is now old enough to be immunized against COVID-19. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that can cause cough, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath. These vaccines are safe and effective and recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. Depending on the vaccine that is offered to you, your child will require 2 or 3 doses for full protection. |
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Introducing solid foods
Now that your baby is 6 months old, they may be ready to start solid food. This is a big milestone that you can enjoy sharing with your baby. Here are some things to remember as you start offering your baby solids.
- Offer your baby iron-rich foods first, such as meat and poultry, wild game, fish, peas and beans, tofu, egg, nut and seed butters and lentils, or iron-fortified infant cereals. Work up to offering iron-rich foods two or more times each day between ages 6 and 12 months.
- Offer your baby a variety of soft textures and finger foods (not only purees) starting at 6 months.
- To prevent choking, always supervise your baby while they are eating, and do not offer solid foods that are hard, small and round, or smooth and sticky. These foods can cause choking.
- Do not add cereal or other foods to a bottle—this can cause your baby to choke.
- Offer drinks in an open cup instead of a bottle or “sippy cup”. Offer water between meals. Sugary drinks like 100% fruit juice and chocolate milk increase the risk of cavities and can fill your baby’s small stomach, leaving less room for other foods. If you use well water, test it for bacteria at least three times a year.
- Sharing spoons with your baby can transfer bacteria from your mouth to theirs. This can be the cause of cavities for your child.
Foods to avoid:
- Honey, in any form (for the first year), because it could cause infant botulism.
- Raw or undercooked eggs, raw or undercooked fish or seafood, raw or undercooked meat or poultry, raw or unpasteurized milk, raw sprouts, and unpasteurized fruit juice and cider should be avoided. This is because they can cause food poisoning for children aged 5 and under. Learn more about preventing food poisoning.
- Some foods need to be avoided because they are a choking risk (e.g., whole grapes, hot dogs, marshmallows, popcorn, gum, hard or sticky candy, whole nuts, seeds, nut butters on a spoon, dried fruit, and hard (raw) fruit or vegetables). You can modify some foods to make them safer, such as grating raw vegetables, and cutting whole grapes into quarters.
Foods to limit:
- fish high in mercury such as swordfish, tuna steak, and albacore tuna
- foods that are high in sugar or salt
- rice-based cookies, crackers, rusks, and puffs, especially those containing brown rice syrup or brown rice flour. These foods sometimes contain arsenic and the sugar can lead to cavities.
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Links we love!
For reliable nutrition information and recipes, visit UnlockFood.ca.
Get free nutrition information and advice from a Registered Dietitian by calling 811 or using Health811’s online chat. |
Have fun starting solids this month! We’ll connect with you next month when your baby is 7 months old! |
KFL&A Public Health, 221 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston, Ontario K7M 1V5
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