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Your baby: 6 months

Getting the knack of naps
Although your baby needs the zzz’s she catches during naps, you may be the one desperately looking forward to her naptime so you can get other things done or take a break. Just like every baby has her own personality, every baby has her own nap routine. A common routine up to now is to nap in the morning, the afternoon, and the early evening — some babies catnap, while others snooze for longer stretches. Not all babies need the same amount of shuteye. (That would make your life too easy to schedule, wouldn’t it?)
 
But around this stage in their development, many babies drop their early evening nap and settle into a routine of morning and afternoon naps, which will last for next few months. Read our ultimate guide to naps and learn more in our baby sleep section.

The scoop on poop
Your baby's bowel movements will become more solid once she starts solids.
Not only do solid foods lead to solid poop, but they also lead to darker and smellier poop. Sigh — it had to happen sometime. Read on for everything you (n)ever wanted to know about your kid’s caca.
 
Tips from the trenches
“Cherish every little moment with your babies and try not to stress over schedules and sleep training. You miss out on a lot if you stress too much!” — Veronika, mom of two
 
The cost of raising kids
Did anyone tell you that having kids could be so expensive? You and your partner may be feeling a bit of a financial crunch right now. While taking parental leave can substantially reduce your income, your rent or mortgage payments may have increased if you moved into a larger home to make room for your baby. Not to mention all those new expenses — diapers, car seats, crib, clothes, high chair, toys and other baby paraphernalia that you can't live without.
 
It might be time to re-evaluate your budget and decide what's necessary for survival and what you can do without. Learn the key steps to figuring out your finances, and parent-tested tips for surviving on less.
 
Baby babble
Has your baby been babbling away lately? Chances are she's "talking" more these days, emitting long loquacious streams of repetitive vowel and consonant sounds. Though your baby may not be speaking in words per se, she is learning language and is likely to understand the meaning of plenty of words before she can say them. Discover how babies learn language.
 
Are you still nursing?
Has this question been asked of you and made you second-guess the happy nursing relationship you've developed with your child? Many parents feel pressure to wean before they're ready, but the benefits of breastfeeding continue right through toddlerhood. When to wean is a personal decision that's entirely up to you. Whether you’re ready to wean, are still enjoying nursing, or just have questions, there’s great info in our breastfeeding section.
 
Did you know?
Honey is no sweet treat for babies because it may harbour Clostridium botulinum spores. These spores are harmless in adults and older children, but can cause botulism in the immature digestive system of infants. Hold off on honey until after your baby’s first birthday.

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