6-Month-Old: Milestones, Activities, Gear, Dad Tips, & More
Happy half-birthday! Here’s a comprehensive guide to 6-month-old milestones, activities to do with your baby, what to expect with food and sleep, recommendations for toys and gear, ways to master being a dad, and more.
6-Month-Old Milestones
Babbling
Rolling over from stomach to back and vice versa
Sitting up with support
Brings objects to their mouth
Reaching out with arms and legs while on their stomach
Slightly lifts head off the ground while on their back
Transitions from upright sitting to prone on the floor
Begins to stand up while holding onto a support (without leaning on it)
Begins to pull to stand on furniture
Reflexes
The six-month mark is an in-between age where the foundational reflexes have had their onset (and continue to persist) but where most of the more advanced reflexes have yet to begin, except for the extension reflex.
Forward parachute reflex (extension reflex). The forward parachute is elicited when the baby is held in a prone (face down) position and then gently lifted. The reflex causes the baby to extend their arms and legs as if they are "parachuting" forward. The forward parachute reflex is important because it helps to develop coordination and balance. It is also thought to play a role in the development of crawling and other gross motor skills.
Activities To Help Your Child Thrive
Crash mat sitting. Promote their sitting balance by making an inviting area with toys in front of them and a lot of soft, padded blankets and pillows next to them for when they inevitably topple.
Drumming. Set up the only drum kit that you won’t cringe from hearing your child play. Put assorted things like upside-down tissue boxes, pans, containers, etc., and have them use their hands (or use a “drum stick” like a soft spatula) to challenge their gross and fine motor coordination, eye-hand coordination, and proprioceptive input.
Ball rolling. As they sit up, roll sensory balls to them to allow them to visually track it, reach for it, and grasp. It’ll B-line to the mouth so just roll the next one. Once they’re sitting becomes more stable, go with bigger balls like beach balls.
Food
Consumes about 6-8 ounces of formula or breastmilk at each feeding
Eats about every 3-4 hours
Bottle nipple size: Level 3 (based on the Dr. Brown bottles)
Your baby can begin baby-led weaning (BLW) around the six-month mark when they can do the following.
Sit upright with minimal assistance
Lean forward in a chair
Have good head and neck control
Have an interest in food (e.g. reaching for food)
Bring hands and toys to their mouth
Can visually track something moving
The purpose of BLW at this age is not for caloric intake. It is strictly for sensory exploration and familiarity. See the complete guide to Baby Led Weaning for more info.
While pouches should not comprise a large portion of your baby’s nutritional intake, there is a place in a time for them. The best ones I’ve found are from Serenity Kids which are organic, low-sugar, high-fat, and ethically sourced opposed to other brands which are basically just mainlined sugar in a pouch.
Sleep
Typical sleep total per day: 12-16 hours.
2-month olds will probably take 2-3 naps a day lasting 1-2 hours each.
This 5-7 month range is when 26% of parents started sleep training (29% start it at 4-5 months). Consider a sleep course such as the ultra-popular (and effective in my experience) Taking Cara Babies.
Red Flags
It’s important to note that babies develop at different paces. If you’re not seeing these 6-month-old milestones, reflexes, or patterns with sleep or food then talk to your pediatrician.
Stuff
Toys (with a purpose)
Here are some toys recommended by an occupational therapist to help your 2-month-old’s development.
Gear (that you actually need)
Deuter Child Carrier. We got this as a gift at our baby shower (thanks Kay and BJ!) and waiting for my son to be sturdy enough to use it was like waiting for Christmas as a toddler. Around that 6 month mark, we started using it for neighborhood walks then worked up to more adventurous trail hikes and everything in between. It’s a huge advantage on the beach to avoid lugging your child across the sand in wheels and to avoid their feet from getting burnt.
SpoonfulONE Puffs. These are a step up from the SpoonfulONE Mix-Ins I recommended at 4 months old. These puffs have the same purpose of combining 16 allergens into one in order to decrease your child’s risk of allergies. The difference is that they have a different texture that a typical baby can handle at this age.
A LifeVac Travel Kit. As your kid begins to eat solid food, the risk of choking is always going to be there. We bought this suction-based kit to have at the ready in case it happens. Fortunately, we’ve never had to use it but it puts our minds at ease.
Saline nasal spray. Kids + school = sickness. While you’ll never totally avoid that, here’s a trick. Before your child leaves for school have them do a nasal mist spray up each nostril, especially during the dryer winter months. The nasal passages are thought to be the primary avenue for germs and the dryer the nose the more likely those germs are getting in and staying there.
Vitamin D Drops. Research has found that 10% of kids are deficient in vitamin D and 60% have suboptimal levels. We put these drops in their drinks to help offset any deficiency, especially in the wintertime.
Dads
“Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.”
–Reed Markham
Dad focus
Cook more. Whether you did much take out before kids or not, odds are it’s increased. It’s quick, easy, and good but it tends to be on the far side of healthy. Need some motivation? Your baby can start eating your meals too! This is one of the best parts about baby-led weaning (BLW), you can all eat the same food at the same time.
Start by introducing a new, simple and healthy meal each week. Then decide which sticks in the rotation and make it every other week. Take advantage of a pressure cooker or slow cooker if you’ve got them to be able to set foods in the morning and come home to them cooked at night. See the book recommendation at the bottom of this post and the one in the 3-month milestone guide for ideas.
Dad tips
Stay ahead of it. Get your kid’s clothes out the night before, always have the diaper bag stocked (and replenished after outings), know what you’re eating at the next meal and the next day, pack the car with essentials the night before or before they’re up, pack their school lunch the night before. Plan ahead to save a ton of stress.
Make a sensory board. A sensory board is a great way to entertain your 6-month-old, encourage sitting, challenge problem-solving, and expose him to a variety of textures and materials. Simply grab a large piece of particle board at the hardware store, sand it, paint it, and make it fun. I had my son paint his board with me and he helped me pick some things out too. A toilet paper holder, a latch, wheels, and some free rug samples can go a long way. Angle it at a wall, stabilize it, complete.
Teach sign language. While babies won’t be able to express themselves verbally for many months from now, they can start to learn sign language as early as 6 months. Benefits include improved behavior, mood, and they may even be able to speak sooner. Start with simple signs at meal times like “more,” “milk,” and “done.” See Today’s Parent for visuals.
Baby swim lessons. It’s around the 6-month mark that a lot of places allow babies to start swim lessons. These Sunday mornings were awesome. Aside from the benefits of bonding, swim lessons can reduce the risk of a fear of water and pools and improve strength, confidence, and gross motor coordination.
Recommendations
Article:
BLW: What It Is & How To Do It (MindBodyDad)
Podcast Episode:
10 Reasons to Go All In On Baby Led Weaning (Baby Led Weaning)
Book:
Paleo Cooking With Your Instant Pot: 80 Incredible Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes Made Twice as Delicious in Half the Time by Jennifer Robins
Live up the time with your 6-month-old, celebrate the milestones, and remember that you’ve got it good.
Got any suggestions that worked for you and your baby at this age? Leave them in the comment section.
