GUIDE TO FORREST- SIX MONTHS

A Guide to Forrest Frederick, 6- 7 Months

FEEDING:

Milk - Forrest is currently breast feeding and, on occasions, gets topped up on formula (Nestle NAN ONE in a Pigeon wide neck bottle for 3+ months)

He feeds every 2 to 3 hours on both breasts during a feeding which can last from 10-25 minutes.

Solids - Forrest is now on three meal a day of baby pureé. Each meal is usually two cubes of frozen home made baby food. Foods consumed are Fruits and Veg; pear, apple, banana, paw paw, blue berries, mango, sweet potato, potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, carrot, spinach, zucchini. 

Also grains; farex rice cereal, wheat bix, whole meal bread (mixed with water) and wafers.

He has also once tried lamb and chicken by sucking on them. 

He has tasted vegemite and strawberry jam. 

He has sips of water from a cup. 

Forrest sits in his high chair for meals. (Child care pod) 

His weight gain is slowly going up. He is now 7.3KG 

Pee a food and regular. Some constipation occasionally. 

SLEEPING:

Night - Forrest’s sleep patterns are not regular at night, he may wake up after two hours, or he may sleep for seven hours without waking up. Regardless of the amount of times he wakes during the night he will now only have two feeds.

Forrest is sleep trained and will sleep in his cot in his own nursery all night twelve hours total. 

Day Naps - Forrest will usually be awake for 2-3 hours before needing a nap. He will nap between 30minutes-1hour. Forrest takes his naps in mummies arms as he will refuse to nap in his cot. 

Forrest now sleeps in a crib in his nursery at night with a camera baby monitor to keep an eye on him.

Forrest sleeps in a sleep bag. The room is set to a comfortable temperature.

Forrest is put to sleep by either nursing, or by holding him while he sucks on his hand, once he is drowsy  he is laid in his crib. A lullaby or white noise machine is played while he sleeps and the room is kept dark with blackout curtains.

He is sleep trained and his bedtime routine is still in place. Sometimes he will cry for a bit before falling asleep. 

PLAYING:

Likes & Interests -Forrest loves Mummy and Daddy’s faces. He smiles when we talk to him and make faces at him. He also likes to look at his own face in the mirror.

Forrest is really into animals, especially sea creatures. He seems to love fishes, whales, crabs and octopuses. He also now loves to hear mummy imitate the sounds animals make. Eg: what sound does the fishy make? ..blob blob blob.. what sound do the bees make? Buzz buzz buzz...

Forrest loves to look at his flash cards with animals or A,B,C. 

He is now really into music and sound. I have for him some new musical instruments that I usually play from him or he attempts to make the sound himself. These include xylophone, drum, rattle and bells. 

Forrest now loves his Skiphop play centre and will have 10-15mins a day play. 

Forrest has also been doing swimming lessons once a week since 4 months old and loves it. He is startling to splash, kick and float in the water. His favourite is when mummies blows bubbles in the water. 

Forrest likes to play while laying flat on his back under a play mat. He grabs at the toys and likes to hit them so they make jingle sounds and likes their bright colours. He also wiggles and kicks around while he is on the floor. He enjoys laying in his crib and watching his mobile spin while it plays a lullaby.

Forrest likes to sit in his new mesh bouncer and bounces hard in it. He will kicks his legs to make the bouncer bounce up and down and seems to enjoy it.

Usually, he will be holding and chewing on a teething Toy, colourful keys or plastic rings.

Forrest enjoys books. Mummy will read to him while laying on the floor or have him sitting on my lap facing the book. Sometimes he will try to grab the book or just look at the pictures while I read. We are starting to read longer story books. 

Forrest enjoys sound and music. I made up some sound makers using different things like rice, lentils and dry pasta in empty water bottles to shake in front of him. He enjoys looking at the movement in the bottles and hearing the sounds they make. Forrest will also shake small rattles placed in his hand.

He enjoys when I play music around the house (Disney songs) and when I dance and sing to him. He will also occasionally watch the TV when I turn on Play School or giggle and hoot.

Forrest enjoys different textures. I made up some sensory boards with different things on them (patty cakes, ribbon etc.) for Forrest to touch. I assist him by rubbing his hand over the board to feel and grab. He also likes to feel Touch Books with different materials in them. He loves to play with his crinkle book.

Forrest is now very interested in most toys. He loves to look at a musical piano when it lights up and makes sounds. His also likes his soft bunny and soft books. He is able to grab small objects very willingly. 

He is now slightly more interested in bath toys and he does like to kick his legs and splash in the water.

Forrest likes to be outdoors in nature.

DISLIKES & UNINTERESTED:

Forrest seems to hate tummy time and also only tolerates being held in a sit up position. He will try to arch back if his back is not supported. 

He’s not to interested in playing with his big toys for too long and is scared of his peek-a-boo elephant.

Still bothered by bright sun. 

He also isn’t too fond of being in the car seat or the pram but can tolerate it.

He hates the jolly jumper. 

DEVELOPMENTS & MILESTONES:

Forrest Can: 

Forrest will smile at mummy and daddy and other family members and some strangers.

He has a good strong grip and can reach and grab toys. He puts toys to his mouth.

He notices his hands and sucks on them.

He will pull legs high up in the air also into a ball position to grab feet and out feet into mouth. 

Forrest can babble da, ma, ba, ga, ya etc. and also squeals. When he gets excited he kicks his legs around, he has strong legs when kicking.

He giggles on occasion .

Forrest can roll over from both ways. But only intentionally rolls from tummy  to back. 

He can hold his head fine and can hold up on tummy time. 

Socially Forrest seems interested in other people or other babies. He seems to prefer adults. 

He has a good state (eye contact) and pays attention. 

Forrest Can Not:

Forrest’s legs bow in when placed on a flat service in standing position.

Forrest Doesn’t push down with her legs when his feet are placed on a firm surface when holding but will slight push down feet (in a jump motion) when in his play centre. 

Forrest still hates tummy time. He will immediately roll onto his back when placed on his tummy. He will never roll from back to tummy willingly. 

HYGIENE & MEDICATION:

Hygiene - Forrest has a warm bath every night with organic wash. He then is given a baby massage with lavender baby oil.

Nose aspiration and saline drops are used for nose. I keep Forrest’s nails trimmed with Baby safety clippers. Hair is brushed with soft baby brush. His gums are cleaned with wet wash cloth or a silicone finger brush. Bonjelo is occasionally used on suspected teething gums. His ears are gently cleaned with baby cotton. ‘Thank You’ baby wipes are used, along and organic bum rash oil when needed. Baby sunscreen is applied when going out in the sun.

No teeth have come in yet but Forrest is teething badly. 

Medication - Forrest no longer takes Inficol. 

Baby Probiotics are given before bed.

Any fever is managed with infant Panadol or baby nurofon. 

PREVIOUS MEDICAL HISTORY:

Forrest was birthed at the Townsville General Hospital by Vaginal birth. Suction cup on head to assist.

Birth Weight 3.7kg / Height 51cm.

Slight jundus as a newborn.

Colic baby.

Slight flat head.

Had trouble supporting own head for periods of time.

Caffe latte birth marks on arm, legs and back. NF.

Never takes a dummy, will suck own fist to sooth self.

Fussy with taking a bottle.

Forrest Frederick Ramsbotham 11.10.2017