Unit of Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust
5 to 8 Months
On the Move
Parenting Tips!
- Separation, and/or stranger anxiety, are a perfectly normal stage of your baby’s development, and demonstrate that they have formed a healthy, loving attachment to you.
- Engage your baby with mirrors to encourage self-discovery
- Place toys just out of reach to encourage reaching and crawling.
WHAT
Babies enjoy watching themselves in mirrors and start recognising their own reflection. They also begin responding to their name.
WHY
At this stage, babies are developing an understanding of their identity as separate from others. They show social responses to their reflection and start associating their name with their identity.
HOW
Use your baby's name frequently when interacting with them to help them connect it with their sense of self.
WHAT
Babies are becoming more independent as they develop muscle strength and achieve milestones like sitting up (with support), crawling, and improved hand-eye coordination.
WHY
Babies learn through sensory experiences and emerging motor skills, which help them explore their environment by reaching, grasping, and manipulating objects.
HOW
Encourage physical development by placing large, safe objects in different positions for your baby to reach, grasp, and play with.
WHAT
Most babies develop separation anxiety between six to eight months, showing distress or clinging tendencies when you leave. This can be accompanied by stranger anxiety.
WHY
Separation anxiety develops as babies gain an understanding of object permanence. They understand you're somewhere else but don't know when or if you'll return. Stranger anxiety often precedes separation anxiety.
HOW
Establish a daily routine to provide a sense of security. Play games like peek-a-boo to help your baby understand that you will always return. Avoid sneaking away – always say goodbye and reassure them of your return.
WHAT
Babies repeat actions, like dropping objects, and enjoy playing games like "peek-a-boo."
WHY
Babies learn through repetition, observing the consequences of their actions and people's reactions. They begin to grasp object permanence, understanding that things exist even when out of sight.
HOW
Be patient and allow babies to repeat actions, like dropping and picking up objects, to help them develop skills and confidence.
WHAT
Babies continue to babble, making sounds that resemble speech, and may try to imitate and repeat sounds they hear. They also respond joyfully to music and rhythm.
WHY
Babies are learning that sounds have meaning and represent objects or people, which is crucial for language development through repetition and interaction.
HOW
Engage your baby in conversation, respond to their babbling, and use music, rhymes, and reading to enhance their language skills.
Health & Hygiene
- Food Hygiene: Always follow proper food hygiene practices when preparing and feeding your baby. Wash your hands and ensure your baby’s hands are clean before eating, especially after crawling.
- Food Freshness: Ensure food is fresh and not spoiled.
- Diarrhoea Management: If your baby has diarrhoea, use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or alternatives like boiled water with a pinch of salt and sugar, rice kanji, buttermilk, or coconut water to prevent dehydration.
- Medical Attention: Take your baby to the doctor if they are sick. Avoid using home remedies, as they may delay necessary medical treatment.
Nutrition
- Breastfeeding: Continue breastfeeding as it remains the best source of nutrition for your baby.
- Introduction of Solids: Supplement milk with small quantities of soft, well-cooked family foods that are easily digestible. Start with semi-solids a few times a day.
- Feeding Position: Ensure your baby is sitting upright during feeding to reduce the risk of choking.
- Teething and Chewing Foods: As your baby starts teething, you can gradually introduce chewing foods to help them practice chewing.
- Independent Drinking: Encourage your baby to drink from a cup or sipper with both hands, even if they are clumsy. Ensure sippers are properly washed and sterilised.
- Water Safety: Always use boiled and cooled water for drinking and preparing food.
Safety
- Supervision: Always supervise your baby, especially when they start crawling.
- Environmental Hygiene: Ensure your child’s environment is clean and hygienic.
- Object Safety: Keep sharp and small objects out of your baby’s reach.
- Electrical Safety: Guard against potential dangers such as open electrical sockets by covering them securely.
- Preventing Burns: Keep hot surfaces or appliances out of reach to prevent burns.
- Home Safety: Baby-proof your home by installing safety gates at stairs, securing heavy furniture and cupboards, and cushioning sharp edges to prevent accidents.
Special Attention
Consult your doctor if, by the end of the eight month, your baby shows any of the following signs of possible developmental delay:
- Does not smile or show interest in social interactions.
- Cannot hold their head up while on their stomach.
- Does not roll over.