Parenting Your Baby From 6 to 12 Months

From 6 to 12 months

"It's hard to think about our life before baby. We used to do a lot of stuff, but it pales in comparison to being a father. I think it's changed me for the better."

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

"One of the main things that we talk about with whānau with regards to their baby at this stage is development. Getting down on the floor with them, playing with them, singing to them, reading – all those things are really important for developing speech, developing their movement, getting around."

"Some of the key things – quite major developmental milestones – happen from six months. Starting solids is a big thing. Adjusting to that and getting around everywhere on the floor – safety is another thing we must always keep in mind at this age."

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.

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 3 to 12 months of age. 

Starting solids 

Around 6 months, your baby starts to need the extra vitamins and minerals (especially iron and zinc) that are in solid foods. Pēpi have usually grown and developed enough to start eating solid food by around 6 months.

See the KidsHealth section on starting solids for more information.

Teeth

Your child will have most of their baby teeth by the age of 2. Healthy baby teeth usually mean healthy adult teeth too, so it's important you look after your child's first teeth. 

See the KidsHealth page on caring for your child's teeth to learn more.

Development 

Tamariki are natural learners and between birth and 5 years, tamariki grow and learn at the fastest rate of their lifetime. There are many ways of learning - tamariki learn by watching, by listening and especially by doing. 

See the KidsHealth section on learning and development for more information. 

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.

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 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. 

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.