Your Child at 6 to 12 months
Six months have passed since your baby arrived, and undoubtedly you have seen many changes. During the next 6 months, your baby will begin sitting and crawling, communicating pleasure and disspleasure, establishing more consistent sleep patterns and moving onto solid foods. To answer your many questions about what to expect, visit Born Learning.
Also, it is very important to make sure your child's immunizations and well visits with the doctor are up to date. Your child's doctor can provide needed information regarding your child's health and development, and support you in your role as a parent.
At 6 to 9 months old your child should be able to:
Nine to Twelve Months
If you have concerns about your child's development, contact Early On
1-800-Early On (327-5966)
Keep them Safe
As your child begins to becomes mobile in your home, by crawling and pulling to stand, you face some unique challenges to keep your baby safe. For a complete checklist of safety precautions to take to baby proof your home visit Safe Kids.
Baby those Baby Teeth
Baby Teeth are Important for Chewing, Speaking, Spacing of Permanent Teeth, and Overall Health. For an interactive tooth wheel for children aged one month to 5 years, visit the Greater Flint Health Coalition
Lead Poisoning and Your Children
Lead is more dangerous to babies because young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.Children's growing bodies absorb more lead and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
Lead can be found in a number of things such as paint (many old homes built have lead-based paint),in soil around a home, household dust, drinking water, your job, or old painted toys and furniture.
It is important to go to you local health clinic to get your family tested if you feel you have been exposed to lead. For more information on lead visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency's website
Parenting Support
Parenting can be both joyous, and trying at times. So Washtenaw Success By 6 aims to connect you to resources and support you need to enjoy being a parent. A guide to some of the parenting support classes available in Washtenaw county can be found here (link to pdf).
If you are experiencing sadness, anxiety, or worry, or you think you may be experiencing postpartum depression, you are not alone. Help can be found through your family physician, through the Postpartum Depression Support Group of the Greater Ann Arbor Area, and through Postpartum Support International, 805-967-7636.
Mommy, Is This Okay?
Your one year old is watching your face and learning from your expressions all the time. Your baby is learning the important skill of how to read faces and emotions. Talaris Research Institute provides helpful parenting tips to help you guide your child through this important process.
