Well baby visit - six months

Commented by 0 Member   View Comments

Article Summary

By six months, your baby is sitting up or getting ready to sit up.

Your 6-month-old laughs and coos when you bring him in for this visit. He'll easily enchant your GP in the same way as he has enchanted you. Babies this age are still growing rapidly. By 6 months, a baby is sitting up or getting ready to sit up and his back is straightening out. This is an enjoyable new perspective for your baby as he learns to play in more elaborate ways. Everything goes in his mouth - it's his way of exploring.

Your baby will get a lot of immunisations at this visit. His thigh (or wherever your doctor administers these injections) might be redder than before, and he may get a slight fever as a result. Don't worry: these reactions show that your baby is building up a strong resistance to some serious diseases. Be sure to bring his immunisation card.

Tip! To help ease the pain from the injections, give your baby the infant version of paracetamol. Your GP will be able to give you samples of this pain reliever. If you have your own, bring the bottle with you so your doctor can show you the correct dose for your baby's age and weight.

At this visit, your GP will probably:

 Weigh and measure your baby. Click here to see our growth chart.

 Give your baby the next stage of immunisations (probably DTP and Hib).

 Provide insight into your baby's development, temperament and behaviour.

 Help you teach your baby to form a good sleep pattern.

 Review safety, as he can get into more things every day now and he'll be on the move soon.

Your GP will want to know:

 Has your baby seen another general practitioner since the last visit? If so, why? What was the outcome of that visit, and was any medication or treatment prescribed?
 Does your baby have any teeth yet? Some do and many don't. Don't worry either way.
 What kinds of sounds does your baby make: "ba", "da" or "ma"?
 Does your baby "talk"? Describe any babbling, laughing, squealing, imitating or "coughing" he does. Does he follow your conversation and try to imitate your speech?
 How does your baby play with things? Does he put things in his mouth, drop them or throw them? Does he pass things back and forth between his hands?
 What can your baby do with his hands? Does he reach for things and gather in small objects?
 Can your baby sit up with support or by himself? Can he roll over both ways?
 Can your baby bear weight on his legs when you hold him up?
 Does he turn his head towards you when you enter a room, even before you say anything?
 Has your child been ill? Report the details.

Talk It Over

 Your baby may be ready or getting ready to start eating solid foods. Tell your doctor about any food allergies, asthma or eczema that run in your family. Be sure you know how to proceed.

 Talk over any sleeping problems your baby may be having. Your GP will be able to help.

 If someone in your household or family has had tuberculosis or any other serious contagious disease, your doctor will want to check your baby regularly to be sure he hasn't been infected. Let your GP know as soon as you're aware of it.

 Remind your general practitioner about any special issues identified at your child's birth. They may need to be checked again, through a hearing test or blood test, for example. Get the birth records for review if your doctor doesn't have them.

 Does your child need fluoride supplements? It will depend on your local water supply.

 Tell your GP if you're too anxious to let your baby play on the floor or in a playpen, or if you don't know how to play with your baby.

 Discuss where to find materials on play, playgroups, parenting classes or other community resources.

Speak Up!

Other issues may concern your GP. Let your doctor know if your baby:

 Tends to use only one hand, favours one leg or seems to tilt to one side when he sits or moves.
 Moves in a way that worries or concerns you. Remember, though, that bow legs and rounded feet are still normal at this age.
 Doesn't turn to sounds or doesn't seem to hear well.
 Crosses his eyes or doesn't seem to see well.
 Doesn't make any sounds or makes fewer sounds than before.
 Appears pale.
 Doesn't roll over.
 Shows no interest in toys or objects.
 Gags on food, always chokes on liquids in a cup or can't keep food in his mouth.

Click here to return to Well-Baby Introduction.

Category Tags:

Health

,

Development

Article Tags:

immunizations

,

weight

,

checkup

,

milestones

,

paediatrician