Parenting Tips for Your 5 Month Old Baby
Between 5 and 6 months of age, several things begin to happen. Your baby’s growth will begin to slow down. He will become more active and burn more calories.
Your doctor is probably telling you to not start solid foods for another month or two. Your friends and relatives are probably telling you that everyone starts solids sooner. Pay attention to your doctor.
Breast milk is best. Keep up the breast milk and/or the type of infant formula your doctor has recommended. If you don’t already have a breastfeeding support group, check out the La Leche League at http://lalecheleague.org/.
Help your baby learn to eat when he is hungry and to stop eating when he begins to feel full. Hungry babies may:
- Open their mouths when they see the breast or bottle
- Lean forward to be able to drink
Babies who start to feel full may:
- Hold their mouths tightly shut
- Push away the breast or bottle
- Lose interest in eating
- Turn their upper body away
