What to Know in Your Baby’s First 6 Months

The first 6 months with your baby are full of change and learning for both of you. This guide covers everything you need to know about feeding, sleep, development, and safety during this time.

We’ve even created a keepsake you can download to keep track of some special moments along the way!

You don't need to read it all at once. Use the quick links below to jump to what you need right now, or read the key takeaways for a quick overview.

Quick Links

• Feeding
• Sleep
• Development and play
• Safety
• Health care

Key Takeaways

Feeding

Breast milk or formula only for about the first 6 months. Your baby doesn't need water, juice, or solid foods yet.

How often to feed

Newborns eat about 8-12 times every 24 hours. This is normal and healthy.

Your baby may eat more often around 2-3 weeks, 6-8 weeks, and 3 months. These are typical periods for growth spurts.

If your newborn sleeps longer than 4 hours, wake them to feed for the first few weeks.

How much your baby’s stomach holds

• First 24 hours: Cherry-sized (½-2 teaspoons)
• Days 1-2: Walnut-sized (¼-½ ounce)
• Days 2-3: Apricot-sized (½-1 ounce)
• Days 3-4: Egg-sized (1-2 ounces)
• 1-6 months: Small apple-sized (3-5 ounces)

Hunger cues

Feed your baby when they show these signs:

• Sucking on hands or fingers
• Moving arms and legs
• Making sucking noises or sticking out their tongue
• Puckering lips
• Turning head looking for the nipple (rooting)

Crying is a late hunger cue. Feed your baby before they get upset.

Fullness cues

Your baby is full when they:

• Slow down or stop sucking
• Look relaxed and sleepy
• Unclench their hands
• Turn away from the breast or bottle

Stop feeding when you see these signs. Let your baby decide when they're done.

How to know your baby is getting enough

Your baby is eating enough if they:

• Seem calm after feedings
• Are gaining weight
• Have at least 4 wet diapers and 3 poopy diapers by 3 days old

If you're concerned, talk to your health care provider or WIC staff.

Spit-up

Spitting up can be normal for newborns. It usually gets better as they grow.

To reduce spit-up:

• Feed on demand, not on a strict schedule.
• Stop when your baby shows fullness cues.
• If breastfeeding, try lying back while feeding.
• If bottle-feeding, hold your baby upright at a 45-degree angle while giving them a bottle (paced bottle-feeding).

Call your health care provider if you're worried about how much your baby spits up.

Burping

Babies swallow air when they eat. This can make them uncomfortable. Burping can help your baby feel better.

How to burp:

• Wait until your baby stops eating.
• Hold them with their tummy against your chest or lap.
• Gently rub their back.

Baby poop

What's normal:

• At first, your baby’s poop will be black and tarry.
• Your baby should have 3 or more poops a day once they are 2 days old.
• By day 3, their poop will be green.
• By day 7, their poop should be yellow in color.

Other types of poops:

• Breastfed baby poop: Soft or runny; bright yellow or gold; may have small white chunks
• Formula-fed baby poop: Firmer (like peanut butter); should be easy to pass
• Diarrhea: Large, watery circle on the diaper
• Constipation: Hard, pellet-like poop (rare in breastfed babies)
• Sometimes older babies don't poop for 1-2 days–this can be normal.

If you're concerned about your baby's poop, contact your health care provider.

Bottle feeding tips

• Always hold your baby upright when feeding.
• Never prop the bottle.
• Heat bottles with warm water, not in the microwave.
• Ask WIC about paced bottle feeding.

Follow the formula instructions on the label exactly. Mixing formula wrong can harm your baby. Use prepared formula within 2 hours. Once your baby starts drinking, use formula within 1 hour or throw it out.

For complete formula preparation and cleaning tips, see How to Prepare Formula.

What NOT to give your baby before 6 months

• Water or juice
• Cereal or solid foods
• Anything except breast milk or formula in the bottle

Sleep

Newborn sleep is challenging at first because it’s unpredictable. They don’t follow adult sleep schedules yet and wake up every 2-3 hours to eat. This pattern continues day and night.

Around 3-4 months, babies may start to sleep for longer stretches.

Safe sleep rules

Knowing these rules can help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and keep your baby safe.

Always:

• Put your baby on their back to sleep.
• Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib or bassinet.
• Keep their crib empty (no pillows, blankets, bumpers, or toys).
• Put your baby's crib in your room for at least 6 months.
• Keep your baby away from smoke, vaping, and tobacco.

Never:

• Let your baby sleep with adults, children, or pets.
• Put your baby to sleep on soft surfaces, like couches.
• Leave your baby alone on a changing table or in the bath.

Development and Play

Your baby grows and learns best when they feel loved and safe. Playing, talking, and responding to your baby helps their brain develop.

Birth to 3 months

The world is brand new to your baby, which is exciting yet also overwhelming for them. They will cry a lot to communicate with you. By soothing your baby and being around them, you’re building trust.

What you can do:

• Hold and cuddle your baby.
• Talk and sing to them.
• Look at their face and make eye contact.
• Show them objects and tell them what they are.
• Respond when they cry.

4 to 6 months

Around this age, your baby is growing stronger and more active. They might be starting to follow a routine, such as sleeping longer at night. They know their name and your voice.

What your baby can do:

• Hold their head up.
• Pick things up and put them in their mouth.
• Babble and say sounds like "ba-ba-ba".

What you can do:

• Play peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.
• Read to them and show them pictures.
• Give them supervised tummy time.
• Put them on a blanket on the floor to stretch and kick.
• Watch them closely, as they tend to put everything in their mouth.

Tummy time

Put your baby on their tummy while they're awake and you're watching. This helps them:

• Build strong muscles.
• Learn to push up with their arms.
• Learn to roll over.

Don't keep your baby in carriers or seats all the time. They need time on the floor to move and grow strong.

Safety

There's a lot of safety advice out there, and it can feel overwhelming for new parents. These are the essentials that help you protect your baby.

Never shake your baby

Caring for a crying baby can be stressful. All moms feel frustrated at times. But shaking a baby — even for a few seconds — can cause brain damage, blindness, or death.

If you’re feeling frustrated or overwhelmed

• Put your baby down in a safe space, like their crib.
• Ask a friend or family member for help.
• Leave the room and take a break.

It’s normal for babies to cry. You won't hurt them by putting them down safely and taking care of yourself.

Car safety

• Buckle baby into an infant car seat every time you drive.
• Install the seat in the back seat, facing backward.
• Follow the car seat instructions carefully.

Feeding safety

• Hold your baby upright during feedings.
• Never prop the bottle.
• Don't let your baby fall asleep with breast milk or formula in their mouth. This can cause choking or ear infections.
• Don’t feed in the side-lying position when you’re overly tired. You could fall asleep, which isn't safe for your baby.

Dental care

Wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth after each feeding. This keeps gums healthy and prepares for teeth.

Health Care

Your baby needs check-ups with their doctor at:

• 3-5 days old
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months

These visits include general check-ins and shots to keep your baby healthy.

When to call the doctor

You don’t have to wait for one of their routine check-ups to contact your baby’s health care provider. Call if:

• You're worried about how much your baby is eating.
• Your baby seems sick.
• You're concerned about spit-up, diapers, or anything else.
• You have questions about your baby's development.