Sibling rivalry

6th month, 2nd week

You want your kids to get along, but older siblings might be jealous that they have to share mom and dad. It's not fun, but sibling rivalry is okay.

This can help:

Spend as much one-on-one time with your older child as possible so that he does not feel that the child is pushing you away from him.
Have your older child have some special toys that only he can play with. This will help them feel special and is a good way to protect your child from toys with small details.

When you brought your child home from the hospital, he couldn't hold his head. Now they are learning to sit up straight, if they haven't already.

You can help:

Sit them on a soft carpet or surround them with pillows. Keep them still. Let go for a few seconds so they can feel what sitting is like.
Put some of their favorite toys in front of them so they have something interesting to focus on.
Once they learn how to sit with your help, they will learn to balance by placing their hands on the floor in front of them like a tripod.
After a few weeks of sitting on a tripod, your child should be able to sit up straight without assistance. Then their hands will be free to explore.

Babies are excellent observers. When they see you talking about something, they associate your words with an object.
Buying a new children's toy? Involve as many senses as possible, as they will look, listen, touch, smell and take in your mouth.
If your child starts avoiding eye contact, he may be ready to take a nap. Many babies look away when they are tired.
Are you looking for childcare? Your child will receive more attention if the child-staff ratio is 3:1 instead of a maximum of 6:1.
Going outside? Be sure to wear sunscreen, but talk to your child's doctor about what to use, especially if your child has eczema or sensitive skin. Keep your child in the shade if possible. The baby's skin is thinner and more sensitive. Cover your child with clothing and a hat, limit sun exposure (especially between 10:00 and 14:00 when the sun is at its strongest), keep your child away from the sun immediately if they show signs of sunburn. or dehydration, including irritability, flushing, and excessive crying.
Once your child is able to sit up, move on to a large tub. They will have more fun if there is room for extra toys and water.
NEVER leave a child alone in the bath, even if the water level is very low.