This month, your little one is halfway to being a one year old toddler. Wow! So let’s see what you should be looking forward to. This is the month where your baby should be learning to sit up without support. It’s also the time to begin feeding your baby solids. Don’t worry if your baby is a little top heavy and cannot sit up without support. By using a high chair to eat on a daily basis and continuing to have floor time, they will soon be able to sit up. Make sure to let your Provider know if your baby is not able to sit up on their own by month 9.
Your baby should love to respond to other’s facial expressions and look at themself in the mirror. You might even see them begin to respond to their own name, this month. You should definitely see your baby reacting to things by showing joy or displeasure.
Curiosity should fill your baby as they try to reach for things that are out of reach, notice things that move and begin to place objects to their mouth. Notice if they are able to pass an object from one hand to the other one.
If your baby is not able to roll over from back to tummy and vice versa. This is the time to begin showing them how to. Begin with your baby on their back and simply grab their ankle and cross it over, so that their body rolls over to their tummy. Adjust their body if they get stuck. Do the same while they are on their tummy and soon enough, you will see that they are able to do it on their own!
Toy Recommendations:
Get the board books out and begin reading to your baby, while making them sit with support, on the floor. Using your voice to exaggerate sound effects will get your baby’s attention for sure, this month! Get expressive!
Get toys that move on their own and have lights and noise. Notice your baby’s eyes grow big, but reassure them, it is okay in case they get startled. .
Take your baby outdoors for a walk and allow them to take in the noises and environment.
Get those teething toys out! Help soothe those sore gums, by having your little one play and chew at the same time.
Reminders:
This month, remember to switch the bottle nipples to 6-9 months.
It’s also time for scheduling a well child check.
Since crawling is around the corner, it’s time to think about baby proofing. A good way to baby proof is to literally lie down onto the floor and look around. See your floor from your baby’s perspective and make sure certain things are out of reach and clean.
When introducing a food, make sure to wait 3 or more days to see if there is any kind of allergic reaction to it, before introducing a new one. Don’t allow any chunks, but be certain it is pureed. Don’t forget, solids are only to train the tongue and neck muscles for swallowing, eating and speaking. You should continue to give your baby the amount of food, according to their weight multiplied by 2.5 to give you the right amount of ounces. Solids do not replace a feeding. You should feed your baby their normal feeding, then sit them down to try a solid. No pressure, just enjoy!
