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 6 to 9 Months
EATING
It's safe to say that your baby will be interested in — but probably not very skilled at — feeding himself and eating more regular foods in this period. Most babies become used to a variety of solid foods, particularly infant cereal, fruit, and vegetables. Meat may not be such a big hit, but fortunately, babies this age don't need a lot of it, if any; an ounce a day should be sufficient. Believe it or not, 8 or 9 months is a good time to introduce a training (or "sippy") cup, if not even earlier. Just as with the introduction of self-feeding and the use of utensils, consider the use of a cup to be a learning process that isn't mastered overnight. And if you've been giving the baby part of a bottle or breastfeeding before the solid meal, consider changing your routine and offering the solid foods first. One of your feeding goals as you head towards your child's first birthday is to help your infant make the transition to more grown-up foods and feeding schedules. Although there are no absolute rules about mealtimes at this point, move in the direction of offering three regular meals a day in addition to a morning and afternoon bottle or breastfeeding session, and continue to provide infant cereal on a daily basis, as it is your baby's most important source of iron. The before-bed bottle or breastfeeding may still be essential and is often cherished at this age by infant and parent alike, but try not allow your baby to fall asleep while feeding; milk left in his mouth may promote tooth decay, and he may become dependent on being fed to fall asleep. Instead, consider establishing a predictable bedtime routine that involves feeding your baby before bath time, and then reading to him each night before putting him down to sleep. SLEEPING The amount a baby sleeps in any given 24-hour period tends to change only slightly between 6 and 12 months, varying by only half an hour by the first birthday (14 1/2 hours on average at 6 months, 13 1/2 hours at a year). The most common pattern of sleep at this age, if in fact a baby has learned to sleep well through the night, is a 10- to 11-hour stretch at night, and 2 daytime naps that gradually decrease in length. On occasion, some babies will also take a short third nap in the evening. That's not to say, however, that all babies are great sleepers at this age. More than a few have never mastered the skill of sleeping through the night, and even those who have been sleeping "like babies" will sometimes start waking up again as they become increasingly aware of their surroundings and decide that they want to test what happens when they call out at night. PLAYING A baby's interest in play expands greatly at this age. Practicing gross motor skills (sitting, standing, crawling, and rolling) is really a form of play, especially if you are there to provide encouragement. Babies this age can and should be encouraged to entertain themselves for several minutes if given interesting things to explore, but interaction with you is still a vital part of having fun. Because of your infant's new ability to remember and anticipate, "Peekaboo" is a particular favorite, in addition to simple finger games ("This Little Piggy") and gentle, tickling games. If you repeat these games and other nursery rhymes, your baby will learn them and anticipate what's coming. Motion can also be a particular thrill for babies at this stage. Try lifting your baby high in the air or bouncing him on your leg. Remember, however, that these high-excitement games can also be too much for some babies. Tone it down at the first signs of over-stimulation or fussiness. Here are some more specific tips for play:
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