Your 6-month-old's development: Week 2

Baby sign language

If you want to introduce sign language to your baby, now's the time. Her understanding of language and her motor skills develop much faster than her ability to speak. Most babies, for example, discover how to wave (around 9 months) and point (by age 1) long before they can say "bye bye" or "look at that!"

Giving your baby the tools to express herself may help cut down on her frustration. While baby signing doesn't promise to eliminate tears or tantrums, babies this young have been taught to "sign" successfully.

To begin, try using a hand signal every time you use common words such as "book" (open your palms with your hands together) or "hungry" (put your fingers to your lips). Later on, your baby will be able to express more complex ideas such as "I'm done with my juice" with a simple gesture such as putting her palms up at shoulder height.

And don't worry: Signing won't interfere with your baby's progress in learning to speak. In fact, it may actually help develop her language skills.

Lefty or a righty?

Your baby may favor one hand for a while and then switch to the other. But you can't really tell whether she's a lefty or a righty until she's about 2 or 3 years old.

Don't try to influence your baby's hand preference (it's determined before birth). Forcing her to use her right hand when she's really a lefty, for example, may confuse her and lead to problems with hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and handwriting down the road.

Playing games

Your baby will love turn-taking games, especially ones that involve sounds and language. Let your baby be the leader sometimes, and mimic her vocalizations. When it's your turn to lead, a good way to teach — and amuse — your baby is to make animal noises ("quack-quack," "bow-wow").

One upside of these kinds of games is that they can be played anywhere. Your baby will delight in the sounds of water splashing in the bathtub or blocks hitting the floor. Show your baby how to make these fun (if sometimes annoying) noises and then let her have a turn.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source: babycenter

Your 6-month-old: Week 2

How your baby's growing:

Your baby may favor one hand for a while and then switch to the other. But you can't really tell whether she's a lefty or a righty until she's about 2 or 3 years old.

Don't try to influence your baby's hand preference (it's determined before birth). Forcing a child to use one hand when she's inclined to use the other may confuse her and lead to problems with hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and handwriting down the road.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 6-month-old's development.

Your life: Comparing your baby to others

It's hard to imagine a parent who doesn't sneak a sideways glance now and then at a friend's baby or one she sees in the grocery store, checking to see how her own stacks up. When you hear about a baby who seems more advanced in one area or another, it's natural to worry — or at least wonder — whether your own child is "okay."

Not that this kind of thinking is ultimately very useful. Every baby grows and develops at her own pace. Especially around the 6-month mark, physical and speech-related milestones can vary significantly from child to child.

If you have concerns about your baby, it's a better idea to learn about the normal timeline for development than to use other babies as reference marks. Even then, milestone charts are just a general guide. Your baby may deviate from the timeline because she's temporarily focusing on one skill rather than another or because she just needs a little extra time. Take comfort in knowing that just because your baby seems to lag in one area, the chances of a developmental delay aren't very high. But trust your instincts, too — if you're still worried, call your baby's doctor.

3 questions about: Vitamins and supplements

Is it too early to give my baby a vitamin or supplement?
It's unlikely that your baby needs an additional source of vitamins and minerals — which, for a child this age, should always be prescribed by a doctor. Breast milk contains a natural balance of most vitamins, so if you and your baby are both healthy and you are well nourished, your breastfed child shouldn't require any supplements. Commercial formulas also contain all the essential vitamins, so as long as your baby consumes 24 to 32 ounces per day (unless she has special needs due to prematurity, for example), she probably doesn't need supplements.

If your baby is very picky or has allergies to certain foods (which you'll gradually notice as she starts eating solids), you may want to add a supplement depending on what her diet is lacking. That said, no matter how picky your child is, it's unlikely that she'll suffer a vitamin deficiency.

If your baby drinks water that's too low in fluoride, when she gets old enough she may need supplemental fluoride (available only by prescription) to help prevent cavities. Ask your baby's doctor whether and when that would be advisable.

How do I know whether my baby needs anything?
It's best to consult your baby's doctor if you have concerns about providing enough vitamins and minerals. Never offer your baby vitamins or supplements sold for adults, even in reduced dosages.

Is it okay to give my baby extra vitamins if I'm especially worried?
No. Vitamins should be given according to their dosage instructions only, like any other medication. Giving your baby an overdose of a particular vitamin could interfere with the absorption of other nutrients or could even be dangerous, depending on the vitamin.

source: babycenter