Easing into solid foods, developing a tighter grip and becoming more and more mobile mark the development of your 6-month old baby, who will also start to understand what you’re saying.

Feeding your baby

Experts recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months, and to continue this in addition to the gradual introduction of solids up to 2 years and beyond.

With a more developed digestive system and an increased demand for essential vitamins and minerals, a varied diet that includes iron will help your baby continue to develop. First foods should be completely runny with no lumps. Start with pureed meat, tofu and legumes, then add vegetables, introducing new foods every 2 or 3 days. Think about buying small containers so you can freeze purees in batches. Buy bibs. Lots of bibs.

Sleep and settling

With the introduction of solids and continued breastfeeding, many parents find their little ones settle easier at night. Daytime naps will continue, and your baby may settle more easily with a parent around.

Continue hands-on settling as baby will soon be transitioning to comfort settling.

Time to play

Your little one will become slowly more independent as they learn to move around by themselves. As sitting confidence grows, your bub may start to crawl, pull themselves up to a standing position or slide around on their bottom. Now’s the time to move all those precious vases out of reach, and make sure access to cupboards and stairs are secure.

Remember that crawling happens at different times for different babies, and may never happen at all. Continue spending time with your little one at floor level, encouraging rolling, crawling, reaching and grasping.

With a strengthening grip, babies also now realise how much fun it is to let things drop (especially with a full spoon of pureed mince). Grin and bear it; it’s your bub’s way of discovering the world.

Baby’s developmental milestones

• Creeping or crawling along the floor
• Handing objects to you, and from one hand to the other
• Responding to their own name
• Sitting with minimal support
• Starting to understand simple words (like ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘bye-bye’)

Check your calendar

• Head to the child health nurse for the 6-month check-in; don’t forget to make your appointment.
• It’s immunisation time again; these will be the last ones for 6 months.
• Some parents love the idea of celebrating half birthdays with children – now might be a great time to start.

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Please note: These articles are meant to give you a general sense of the growth and development of your newborn baby. However, it’s important to remember that every baby grows and develops at their own pace.