Notes on Nurturing Happy Mealtimes Bless The Mess! Any day now, your doctor will give you the go-ahead Babies are naturally messy. You, on the other hand, What about housekeeping? As baby begins to crawl to start your baby on solid foods. The doctor will out - naturally try to keep your baby sweet and clean with and explore, try to keep a happy balance. Don’t insist line which foods to use. Here are some tips to make regular baths and frequent diaper changes. In the com - on spotless perfection. Otherwise, baby’s exploring those early mealtimes less hassle and more fun for ing months, however, it’s not going to be will drive you up the wall. Do try to keep clutter both you and baby. possible to keep the baby picture-perfect picked up, so neither you nor baby will trip and fall. every minute of the day. As the baby Do put away anything that poses a risk or danger. Pick the right time. Make baby’s first solid food experi - learns to crawl and starts on solid And do keep things like your ence at a time when he or she is most alert and happy. foods, there’ll be a big increase in checkbook and your car keys If you choose the baby’s “cranky time,” it will be hard dirty clothes and sticky hands. in a place where they won’t on both of you! Try to relax and take it get “hidden” by your little in stride. Some parents show explorer! Leave room for solids. Don’t give a full bottle or breast - their shock and disgust at a Just remember that feeding. Baby won’t be interested in anything else to messy baby. Baby senses they these days will go by all eat. Give a little milk to take the edge off baby’s are angry because of the soiling. It’s a too fast. So try to relax appetite. Then go on to introduce the solid food, and shame to have a child grow up thinking he and share them with follow up with more bottle or breastfeeding. or she can only make a parent happy when your baby. See our spotlessly clean. Give your baby frequent wondrous world through Allow plenty of time. Never wedge your baby’s feedings wipe-ups, and show him or her your new eyes. Your reward will into the few minutes between loads of laundry, or unconditional love, sticky fingers and all. be far greater than a clean between other busy-day responsibilities. Do it when Your reward will be a well-adjusted child house or a spotless baby. It will there’s plenty of time and you’re in a relaxed mood. who doesn’t fear getting out and enjoying mean priceless shared moments the world! for both of you!

Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Check These Out! Hampton, Va Permit #847 Visit your nearby Public Library where you’ll find these and other resources to check out free on your library card.

Games to play with babies / by Jackie Silberg (B)

The new first three years of life / by Burton L. White (B)

Dinosaur’s binkit / by Sandra Boynton (CB)

Daisy and the Beastie / by Jane Simmons (CB)

Your baby’s first six months (V)

(B) book, (V) video, (CB) children’s book to read to your child

Healthy Stages is a program of Hampton’s Healthy Families Partnership. 100 Old Hampton Lane, Hampton, Virginia 23669 www.hampton.gov/healthyfamilies Copyright ©1997 City of Hampton Virginia. All rights reserved. Revised 2005. Healthy Stages 6 to 8 MONTHS

s your baby approaches six months, In the sixth, seventh and eighth month, be everything’s growing! Baby’s weight, prepared to balance two of your baby’s most Amaturity and skills seem to change vital needs. One is the need for freedom almost daily. Your self-confidence is growing, to explore and develop. The other is the too. You and the baby now share a strong need to be lovingly controlled and bond of love and friendship. Both of you protected against health and safety risks. realize how much he or she depends on That’s why, in this edition of Healthy you. It feels great to know that you’re loved, Stages , you’ll see that we pay close needed and trusted so deeply. And, just attention to safety issues. If you do the think, you know all that without your baby same, you’ll find these to be active, exciting saying a word! months for you and your baby! Child’s Play For Safety’s Sake Baby Doesn’t Know Sixth-Eighth Months What’s Safe TOYS FOR NOW Your baby now delights in toys that “do something”. If A Favorite Song From What’s Not someone wants to give baby a gift, suggest an activity MEALTIME SAFETY center with knobs, dials and things that make noises. Say or sing this rhyme while gently clapping your baby’s hands together. Soon baby will try it alone. About 10 million cases of food poisoning occur each year Your baby will have great fun rolling a transparent ball in the United States. You’ll want to do everything you can with shapes inside it. Toys that stack are also fun, from PAT A CAKE to make sure your baby’s food is fresh and safe. Keep blocks to colorful doughnut shapes that fit on a cone. A these tips in mind. Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker’s man sturdy toy telephone is great for encouraging two-hand - ♥ Always wash your hands with soap and water before Bake me a cake as fast as you can! ed play. Some babies love “surprise” toys that have pop- preparing baby’s meal and again before feeding baby. Pat it and prick it and mark it with a “B” up figures. Others are frightened by them. If your baby ♥ Wipe tops of baby food jars with a damp paper towel seems frightened put it away until he or she is older. And put it in the oven for baby and me! to remove dust and germs before opening. ♥ Hold tough-to-open jars under running warm water. PLAYTIME Don’t bang the jar against a hard surface. Tiny glass Games Baby Will Love splinters could go into the food. ♥ In nice weather, spend time outside with a ♥ Don’t use the microwave to heat baby food. Its uneven jar of soap bubbles and a blower. Blow the heating can cause “hot spots” that could badly burn bubbles and watch baby’s delight. baby’s mouth. ♥ Take scraps of clean fabric and cut them into 4” ♥ When in doubt, throw it out. Discard baby food squares and circles. Baby will love feeling the differ - that has been around awhile or has been sitting out ent textures and looking at the patterns and color. without refrigeration. ♥ Take a notebook or scrapbook and paste in pictures BATH SAFETY of words your baby is trying to say. Hold your baby When your baby gets too big for the infant tub, keep these and point to what’s in there, saying the word: ball, tips in mind. cup, spoon, toy, dog, duck, mama, dada, sock, shoe, ♥ Don’t use the family tub until the baby can sit eye, nose, mouth. securely. Then, place a clean washcloth or hand towel ♥ Play “toy hide-and-seek.” Cover a toy with a cup, under baby’s bottom for non-skid security. plastic bowl or blanket. Baby will thrill at finding it. ♥ Make sure the bathroom is warm. A chilled baby will ♥ Song and nursery rhymes are a favorite playtime resist bath time. activity now; especially those that have hand action ♥ Prepare ahead. Before removing baby’s clothes, get out or special movement. Get a book or audiotape of shampoo, soap, toy, washcloth, and towel. Forget nursery rhymes and baby songs to share with your something? Don’t leave the baby in the tub even for little one. The “pat a cake” song is a time-honored a second! Scoop baby up in the towel, get what you favorite! forgot and return the baby to the bath. ♥ Test water with your elbow or wrist. Your fingers and hand have been heat-conditioned and won’t be a good judge of what’s hot and what’s not. Make water just comfortably warm. ♥ Let baby splash, but don’t you do the splashing. One playful splash can scare your baby into years of dreading bath time! Nurturing Yourself See How I Grow AROUND THE HOUSE A crawling baby doesn’t know what’s safe from what’s not. You have to decide that for your child. Get down on your “New Infant to Toddler hands and knees and crawl. It’s really the only way you can see dangers. Here are some things to look for: our baby is now beginning to make the transition from Parent” Y ♥ Tie up curtain and blind cords just enough to keep infant to toddler. Following are some of the typical them well out of baby’s reach. changes you can look forward to in each of the next three Anxieties ♥ Cover electrical outlets with safety caps, so baby won’t months. Remember, every baby is unique and follows his poke in fingers or an object and get a shock. our baby is doing all or her own inner “timetable” for developing various skills. Y ♥ Keep lamp and other electrical cords out of reach. sorts of new things. He or she Make sure they are behind large furniture or other - is trying solid foods, exploring SIXTH MONTH wise hidden, so baby doesn’t pull down lamps or the world at a crawl, and resisting Baby may begin to: appliances. some of your parenting efforts. The changes can be ♥ Roll from back to stomach. ♥ Put sturdy fence-style restraints at the top and the unsettling, and can make you anxious. The American ♥ Sit unsupported for a short time. bottom of staircases. Medical Association defines anxiety as “an unpleasant ♥ “Stand” and bounce, being held by you on your lap. ♥ Make sure painted surfaces have been painted with emotional state, ranging from mild unease to intense fear.” ♥ Drop things from chair or crib. lead-free non-toxic paint in areas where baby can If the responsibilities and challenges of your life are mak - ♥ Transfer a toy from hand to hand. “chew,” such as crib slats or windowsills. ing you anxious, here are four ways to cope. ♥ Rotate wrist in examining a toy. ♥ Move houseplants well out of reach so baby can’t turn Take Action. Go for a walk with the baby. Or do some ♥ Watch your mouth to imitate simple sounds. them over or chew on them. Many houseplants are stretching or aerobic exercises. Physical activity can take ♥ Hum, sway or bounce to music. poisonous. They include holly, mistletoe, azalea, the tension away. ♥ Try to feed self. english ivy, iris, and dozens of other types found in Talk It Out. Find a sympathetic friend or family member ♥ Enjoy trying to drink from a cup. many homes and gardens. and tell them how you’re feeling. Make it clear you want ♥ Move ashtrays out of reach, so baby doesn’t put a them to listen, not offer advice! Just hearing yourself say SEVENTH MONTH lighted cigarette or hot butt in his or her mouth. Better your concern out loud can help you start to find answers. Baby may begin to: yet, make your home “off limits” to smoking. Recent Think It Through. Sometimes anxiety seems to come over ♥ Creep. medical news about second-hand smoke makes it clear you like a wave, for no reason. Stop. Sit down. Ask yourself ♥ Get a first tooth. that children’s health is hurt by being around smoke. what’s going on with you. Clear thinking reduces problems ♥ Carry around a favorite toy or blanket. or worries to their proper size. ♥ Look for a dropped toy. Get Special Help. A spiritual life is a great anxiety reliever. ♥ Be familiar with family members and show fear of Start attending church services. Make an appointment to strangers. talk with your minister. Or, if you’re so anxious that life ♥ Get more serious about self-feeding. seems miserable, call and get trained help from a coun - ♥ Resist pressure to do something you want him or her Protect Your Baby selor in a community mental health program. to do: eat, sleep, give up a toy. Against Diseases EIGHTH MONTH Try these “anxiety relievers”! Baby may begin to: In your last issue of Healthy Stages , we listed the ♥ Crawl. immunizations recommended by the American Academy Look Up! Research shows we have more negative feelings ♥ Pull to standing position of Pediatrics (AP) for an infant of four months. Following when our eyes are cast down. Take breaks throughout the in crib or on furniture. is the list of AAP recommendations for a six-month-old day to stop, smile and raise your eyes to the ceiling or sky. ♥ Work self into a sitting child. Be sure to take baby for all “well baby” visits to his Drop Your Shoulders! Anxiety makes our muscles tense position. or her doctor. Follow the doctor’s recommendations for and tight. Raise and lower your shoulders several times. ♥ Push away unwanted the timing of immunizations. Then drop your shoulders and feel the tension flow away. objects. Change Your Tone! Anxiety makes a person’s voice get ♥ Explore the house. AAP Recommendations: Six Months high in tone, loud in volume and rapid in speaking. If ♥ Make simple things work, such as pulling ♥ Third DPT Shot (Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus) you hear yourself getting anxious, lower your voice and the string of a pull toy to bring it closer. ♥ Third OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) make your speech come out more slowly and softly. Start ♥ Pick up tiny objects such as a raisin ♥ Third HIB (Hemophilus B Vaccine) by saying to yourself aloud, quietly and calmly, “I can with thumb and forefinger. ♥ Third Pneumococcal Vaccine handle this.” ♥ Understand familiar words. ♥ Influenza shot for all babies over 6 months