Parenting Your Baby From 6 Weeks to 6 Months

From 6 weeks to 6 months

"One thing I've learnt with babies . . . is that everything is a phase and will pass . . . especially when there are moments and you're worried or you're doubting yourself . . . you will get through it."

In the video, we hear from Erika, a Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse. She explains ...

"One thing that we like to talk to parents about at this time and stage is teeth and teething . . . Babies can start teething from three months, going on to about twelve months, but the most common time is around that five month mark."

"Baby teeth are very important because they hold the spaces for the adult teeth to come through nice and straight. Hygiene has a really important role here. We can clean baby's teeth with a soft toothbrush as soon as the teeth come through with a teeny little bit of family fluoride toothpaste."

"Some of the key things that we can think about now is their feeding patterns, also their sleeping patterns. Getting to know them, about their cries, and adjusting to having a new baby in the family."

See KidsHealth for tips on caring for your baby's teeth.

When your baby cries

All pēpi (babies) cry. Responding to their crying will make baby feel secure and safe.

See KidsHealth for tips on what you can do when your baby cries.  

Look after yourself

To look after your baby well, you need to look after yourself too – eat well, get enough sleep, be active and ask for help when you need it. You may feel down after having a baby – known as the ‘baby blues’. If the blues don’t go away, you may be developing postnatal depression. Ask for help.

See the Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand website for information about postnatal depression. 

Safe sleep

Tips when putting pēpi to sleep

• face up 
• lay pēpi flat on their back
• face clear
• gentle handling of pēpi

See KidsHealth for more information about safe sleep for your baby.

Attachment 

Attachment is the deep bond which develops between a child and their primary caregiver in the first few years of life. Secure attachments have positive outcomes for pēpi and tamariki (children) throughout their lives.

See the KidsHealth page to learn more about the importance of attachment in babies.

Breastfeeding

Breastmilk is free, fresh and requires no preparation. It is easy for your baby to digest, changes with your baby’s needs, and contains the nutrients your baby needs. Find out about preparing to breastfeed, the health benefits of breastfeeding and the hunger cues your baby may display.

See the KidsHealth section on breastfeeding for more information.

Sleep needs

Pēpi need sleep to grow and develop. Sleep needs vary and change as they grow. Knowing what to expect at each stage helps you understand your baby's sleep needs as they grow.

See the KidsHealth page on normal sleep from newborn to 3 months of age.

See the KidsHealth page on normal sleep from 3 to 12 months of age.

Smoke-free environment

Make sure your baby's environment is smoke-free. Cigarette smoke is very harmful for your baby.

If you want to give up smoking:

• call the free Quitline Me Mutu on 0800 778 778 or text 4006
• check out the website Quitline
• ask a health professional

When to see a health professional 

Pēpi and young tamariki (children) get sick often – it's a normal part of childhood. Get help quickly if your child shows any danger signs. 

See KidsHealth for advice about when to seek help if your child is sick.

Call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for parenting advice.