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The First Six Months

By Nick Cheek
2010-07-01 15:16:52

AFTER YOU GET BABY HOME, THE REAL FUN BEGINS.

The first six months of your baby’s life are an adventure. It’s one of the most joyful, yet intense, periods in both of your lives as together you begin a journey of discovery.

During this time, you’ll witness a series of profound and rapid changes as he or she grows from the helpless mite you first met in the delivery room into a bubbly, bawling, beautiful baby.

GROWING UP

Obviously babies come in all shapes and sizes. In the first few weeks of your baby’s life, weight gain will be watched rather closely, but it’s best not to get too obsessive at this stage. A baby’s growth rate can be erratic – the size and weight gains you see in the commonly published tables are for an average child and very few children are “average.” If your baby looks and acts healthy, then it is unlikely there will be any problem. However, if you are worried, talk to your pediatrician or family doctor.

During the course of the first month, your baby will lose that newborn appearance and begin to fill out. By the second month, most babies are able to stretch themselves and by the third, they should be able to hold up their head. At four months, babies can bear weight on their legs, and by five months, they can roll over.

At the age of six months, babies are usually able to support themselves on their forearms and keep their head up without neck strain.

Over the first six months, babies seem to have great fun touching and discovering the “strange new world” around them with their hands. At one month, they will usually grasp anything placed in their palm, but by the second month, they will hold their hand open more often, eagerly reaching out and gripping voluntarily. By the fourth or fifth month, baby’s fingers and hands will become familiar toys, great for sucking, and he or she will grasp objects between both hands.

GOOD HEALTH

Of course, your major concern should be your new baby’s health and your doctor will be happy to talk through any worries you may have. For the average parent, the main health concerns over the first six months are:

COLIC

One of the biggest mysteries during the early months, colic may cause your baby to scream (more so than usual) and draw the legs up to the stomach as if in pain. No one knows why this occurs and factors such as trapped gas, allergies, stomach cramps or an immature nervous system have all been attributed as causes. Colic may also arise from an incomplete attachment to the breast during nursing. Your baby may be getting large quantities of milk, but still seem unsatisfied or gassy. Seeking help from your family physician or a lactation consultant may be beneficial.

It may be hard to find a quick cure, but don’t worry, colic dissipates after the first couple of months and is of no risk to your newborn. Rocking your baby, placing him or her in a swing, or taking Baby for a ride in the car may help, as movement seems to calm colicky infants. In cultures where babies are held often, carried, or seldom left alone, this sort of intense, prolonged crying is much less common. So, try using an infant “backpack,” snuggly, or sling and getting others to help give your baby plenty of attention. Other ways to deal with colic include bathing and gentle massage. Unfortunately, colic is most common in the late afternoon or evening – when Mom is already tired!

DIAPER RASH

Diaper rash can sometimes be a problem in newborns because they urinate frequently and may have loose or runny stools. It can also be diffi cult for new parents to recognize when Baby’s bottom is wet – particularly with disposable diapers, which are extremely absorbent and less likely to leak.

Prevention is the best “cure,” so keep your baby clean and comfortable by carefully washing and thoroughly drying his or her bottom and regularly changing the diaper. It’s also wise to leave the diaper off for short periods to allow Baby to kick freely and “air out” the area. Diaper rash may become more common during teething.

A good barrier cream, such as Desitin Ointment should protect the baby’s skin and help it to heal. Or try products that contain clotrimazole, like LotriminAF, which used to be available only by prescription, but which can now be purchased in most drug stores. If the rash is bright red or continues for more than three days, however, you should visit your pediatrician.

IMMUNIZATION

Over the first six months, vaccinations are vital to prevent Baby from contracting a serious or potentially debilitating disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at two, four and six months your baby should be vaccinated against poliovirus, Hepatitis B (HBV), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus influenza type B and meningitis (Hib), and pneumococcal disease (PCV). By enhancing the immune response and helping to produce higher levels of antibodies, breastfeeding will help to ensure your baby gets the greatest benefit from vaccination.

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