The Second Six Months

It is important to keep a balance between what you see and feel today and what is happening over the long term. If your baby is in generally good health, her behavior patterns may change from day to day or week to week, sometimes suddenly.

Overall, however, this first year is a steady arc of growth in the baby’s size, strength, and cognitive ability. Your baby will experience more growth and development in her first year than in any other 12-month period of her life. Keep that in mind as you go through the sometimes confusing starts and stops of everyday baby care.

There are many books and other resources available that give more detailed information about infant development, like Your Baby’s First Year: Week by Week by Glade B. Curtis and Judith Schuler (Perseus, 2000) and What to Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg, et al (Workman, updated regularly). You can also use online resources like www.babiesonline.com/babysfirstyear/ to track her changes.

My book The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Being a New Dad includes month-by-month information on what you may be doing, thinking, and feeling as a new father.

For example, around month ten, she may be teething, which can be tough for babies and parents alike, since your baby can be in actual pain, and there isn’t a ton you can do about it. The two bottom front teeth usually come in first, followed by the two top teeth, and then more along the sides. A baby has an average of eight teeth by her first birthday.

If you have concerns about the level or longevity of a teething fever, call your doctor. Teething fevers do not produce vomiting or diarrhea; those are signs of an infection that needs the doctor’s immediate attention. When a baby pulls on her ear, that may indicate an ear infection or just teething pain. Again, check with the pediatrician.

Believe it or not, you should start cleaning your baby’s teeth even before she has any. Clean her gums at least twice a day, but ideally after each feeding. Lay her in your lap with her head close to your chest. Rub a clean, damp washcloth or piece of gauze gently and firmly along both gums. Babies love this! When her teeth do come in, use the infant toothbrush and instructions your pediatrician supplies.

Speaking of things in her mouth, you should know how to stop your infant from choking as well as how to give infant CPR and other first aid.

According to the National Institutes of Health, choking is fairly common and choking deaths are most common in children under 3 years old and in senior citizens. The Heimlich maneuver can be done on infants; the best way to learn is through lifesaving training from the local Red Cross chapter. The basic manuever is: sit down and place the infant stomach down on your lap across your forearm. Then give five thumps on the infant’s back with the heel of your hand. See an illustration at the National Institutes of Health website.

Adapted from The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Being an Expectant Father by Joe Kelly and used by permission.