Baby care during fourth to sixth month

 During these months you will see your baby develop into a real personality. When they awake talk with your baby. You can also give her/him an object or a toy in their hand that can keep them engaged for a long time.

Feeding

During this stage you will find that he/she is no longer satisfied with the bottle or breast feed. She/he may feel hungry very soon after a feed. By 4-5 months you can slowly start introducing solid food. 

Introduce solid food

Begin with one to two teaspoon of food. Gradually increase the amount of food depending on the baby’s appetite. A small teaspoon of a rice cereal mixed with milk, purees of fruits or vegetables are good beginners. Do not introduce more than one flavor at a time. Introduce one food at a time and wait at least 24 hours before adding a new one. You can increase the amount and thickness of the cereal after some days.

Pick a time when baby is feeling hungry. Her initial reaction may be pushing the food away with his tongue. She may be surprised at the taste and sensation at first.  If she pushes the food out, scrape it up and put the spoon between her lips again.

After several weeks most babies eat twice a day. Always make sure the baby is sitting up to eat and drink.

Healthy Foods for baby

• Purees of fruit or vegetables
• Baby cereal 
• Mashed Bananas, papayas, pears and apples
• Mashed potatoes
• Finally chopped Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, corn and peas
• Apple juice
• Finger millet cereal
• Yoghurt is also good for your baby.

Do not introduce citrus fruits, orange, tomatoes, fish, berries, egg whites, spinach etc. Never add salt to a baby food as even a small amount of salt can cause dehydration. 

Sleeping habits

During this month baby begins to sleep longer at night and sleeps lesser in the daytime. Now he/she will take a  naps 2-3 times a day. 

During the 4^th month your baby is rolling over on her/him own, you can’t control her/him sleeping position. It’s still a good idea to keep thick blankets, comforters and pillows out of your baby’s crib.

Physical Changes

Your baby now watches what is going on in all parts of the room, his/her distant vision improves. He/she shows interest in colors. They enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror and the different objects around him/her. Now they spend more time looking at objects they hold. Babies enjoy looking at facial expressions and recognize people.

He knows the differences between angry, happy and sad tones of voice. Your baby is getting better at finding where sounds come from and turn according to that. He likes to hear himself talk.

Your baby coos, gurgles when looking at interesting things or when talked to. He/she laughs and squeals. By 6 months, he can make single syllable sounds such as ma, ba, da etc.

By this time, most babies have developed an awareness and recognition of people around them, and fear of those who are not familiar.

The first time she sits tall, she’ll be leaning on her hands for balance. And in the next two months, she will sit completely by herself and use her hands to play.

Height, Weight and Head circumference

All babies may grow at a different rate. Average weight gain is 0.57 kilograms each month. Average growth in height is ½ to 1 inch each month and head circumference, about ½ inch each month. 

By 6 months, a baby must have doubled his/her birth weight.

Movement

Baby can roll over by 5 to 6 months. They can sit unsupported. If you held him/her in a standing position, begins to support the body with the legs. Now he/she plays with hands and feet, moves objects from one hand to the other, Looks, reaches, grasps, and mouths objects in a swift and accurate sequence of movements. Baby can able to Explores 1 object at a time. Increases his/her use of fingers to touch hold and examine objects. Baby is moving his/her arms up and down and side to side. She/he learns hitting, waving, patting, and shaking.

During this stage we have to  help baby for sit up alone and help him/her to pick up small toys, objects.

Tips to Develop Language Skills

Your baby is probably jabbering for a reason, even if you don’t know what it is.

• Talk to your baby often as you dress, feed, or bathe her.
• Provide quiet time (turning off the radio and TV) and make him/her learn themselves.
• Encourage your baby to turn her head toward sounds.
• Repeat sounds often and trying to get your baby to mimic them back to you.