Use these tips to help you manage the first six months of parenthood.

Even then, things aren’t going to be easy. Sleepless nights, contradictory
advice, and endless compromises await you in your baby’s first six months. No
matter how well-prepared you are, this experience is going to be one of the
most physically and emotionally demanding things you will have gone through so
far.

But remember that you don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just need to
keep applying time-tested knowledge and pushing in the right direction. To
help you along, here’s a month-by-month guide packed with practical tips
tailored for Filipino families:

Month 1: Surviving the First Few Weeks

1) Embrace Our Bayanihan Spirit

2) Master the Art of Breastfeeding

While baby formula can be convenient, breastfeeding is still recommended by
most pediatricians in the first six months. Get support from a lactation
consultant or talk to experienced moms in your family to learn strategies for
breastfeeding. If you must go with baby formula, consult your pediatrician for
the best choices.

3) Find Ways to Adjust to a New Sleep Routine

There is no getting around this. Unless you have a full-time nanny, your sleep
schedule will have to change. Newborns sleep in short bursts, so you’ll need
to take naps whenever you can. If you and your partner can alternate nights
caring for the baby, you’ll both be less exhausted. Consider having a family
member babysit on some days so that you and your partner can catch some sleep.

Month 2: Developing Close Bonds

4) Set Up a Flexible Routine

Infants don’t do strict routines and a flexible schedule for feeding,
playtime, and naps is usually more desirable. While on-the-clock schedules may
not work yet, starting a fairly predictable pattern can help the whole
household feel more settled.

5) Use Baby Wraps for Convenience

A baby wrap allows you to move around hands-free while keeping your baby
close. This is perfect if you or your partner need to do chores while still
taking care of your baby.

6) Make Time for Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin contact strengthens your baby’s sense of security and deepens
your bond. A study published in Nursing Research and Practice shows that the
concept also works with fathers as well as it does with mothers, driving home
the importance of teamwork in these early months.

Month 3: Looking Toward Your and Your Baby’s Future

7) Start “Tummy Time”

Prepare your baby for crawling in the coming months by giving them supervised
time on their tummy, about 3 to 5 minutes each day. This will help your baby
develop the neck and arm strength needed to crawl later on.

8) Make Storytelling a Habit

Even if they don’t understand words yet, talking or reading to your baby helps
develop their language skills and their emotional connections. Playing music
while you do chores can also be a good way to further stimulate your child’s
growing brain.

9) Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself

Things will get stressful, so don’t forget to take small breaks whenever you
can. Even things as simple as a quick shower, a short walk, or a few minutes
of quiet time can recharge your energy and give you the patience to make it
through the next phases.

Month 4: Embracing Milestones

10) Gradually Introduce More Playtime

As babies’ brains develop, they’ll want to start to explore their surroundings
more. Age-appropriate toys that stimulate their senses, like rattles and soft
books, will help them develop a deeper appreciation of their environment.
Avoid screen time this early as it can have negative effects on their
development.

11) Encourage Social Interaction

Allow your baby to safely interact with as many family members and other
babies as possible. Exposure to different voices and faces can support
emotional and cognitive growth, helping them develop their EQ and social
skills early on.

12) Watch for Sleep Regression

Babies may wake up more at night around the fourth month. However, rather than
immediately feeding them as you would have had in the early months, try to
soothe them with gentle rocking or singing instead.

Month 5: Exploring Beyond Your Comfort Zones

13) Begin Introducing Solid Foods (If Ready)

At around 5 to 6 months, your baby may be ready for their solid foods. Start
with mashed vegetables or lugaw and avoid things including bits and pieces
that require chewing.

14) Make Bath Time Fun

Some babies may enjoy the unique sensory experiences of bath time, from the
splashing sounds to the feel of water on their skin. Start incorporating bath
toys and songs to make their daily bath time routine a more pleasant
experience.

15) Keep Track of Your Baby’s Emerging Personality

Your little one will start showing unique quirks and preferences around this
time. They might express a preference for a favorite lullaby or a preferred
sleeping position. Learn to enjoy these discoveries and consider documenting
them.

Month 6: Celebrating Half a Year of Parenthood

16) Encourage More Independent Sitting

Your baby may start sitting up on their own around the half-year mark. Offer
lots of encouragement and prop them up with pillows, if needed.

17) Start Establishing a More Consistent Bedtime Routine

The baby may start to respond to tighter routines around this time. Start
having bath times around the same time each day and dimming the lights close
to bedtime to signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep. This way, you and
your partner may also start getting a bit more rest.

18) Celebrate Small Wins

Your baby’s firsts may come and go before you even realize it. Take photos,
journal, or simply pause every once in a while to appreciate how much you and
your baby have achieved. The best is still to come!

Take Your Early Parenting Challenges a Day at a Time

The first six months of parenthood are not going to be a walk in the park. But
with these tips and help from your family and pediatrician, you’ll have it in
you to take each day as it comes. Soon, you’ll be celebrating your baby’s
first birthday, amazed at how much they have grown.

Similar stories:

Use these tips to help you manage the first six months of parenthood.

Even then, things aren’t going to be easy. Sleepless nights, contradictory
advice, and endless compromises await you in your baby’s first six months. No
matter how well-prepared you are, this experience is going to be one of the
most physically and emotionally demanding things you will have gone through so
far.

But remember that you don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just need to
keep applying time-tested knowledge and pushing in the right direction. To
help you along, here’s a month-by-month guide packed with practical tips
tailored for Filipino families:

Month 1: Surviving the First Few Weeks

1) Embrace Our Bayanihan Spirit

2) Master the Art of Breastfeeding

While baby formula can be convenient, breastfeeding is still recommended by
most pediatricians in the first six months. Get support from a lactation
consultant or talk to experienced moms in your family to learn strategies for
breastfeeding. If you must go with baby formula, consult your pediatrician for
the best choices.

3) Find Ways to Adjust to a New Sleep Routine

There is no getting around this. Unless you have a full-time nanny, your sleep
schedule will have to change. Newborns sleep in short bursts, so you’ll need
to take naps whenever you can. If you and your partner can alternate nights
caring for the baby, you’ll both be less exhausted. Consider having a family
member babysit on some days so that you and your partner can catch some sleep.

Month 2: Developing Close Bonds

4) Set Up a Flexible Routine

Infants don’t do strict routines and a flexible schedule for feeding,
playtime, and naps is usually more desirable. While on-the-clock schedules may
not work yet, starting a fairly predictable pattern can help the whole
household feel more settled.

5) Use Baby Wraps for Convenience

A baby wrap allows you to move around hands-free while keeping your baby
close. This is perfect if you or your partner need to do chores while still
taking care of your baby.

6) Make Time for Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin contact strengthens your baby’s sense of security and deepens
your bond. A study published in Nursing Research and Practice shows that the
concept also works with fathers as well as it does with mothers, driving home
the importance of teamwork in these early months.

Month 3: Looking Toward Your and Your Baby’s Future

7) Start “Tummy Time”

Prepare your baby for crawling in the coming months by giving them supervised
time on their tummy, about 3 to 5 minutes each day. This will help your baby
develop the neck and arm strength needed to crawl later on.

8) Make Storytelling a Habit

Even if they don’t understand words yet, talking or reading to your baby helps
develop their language skills and their emotional connections. Playing music
while you do chores can also be a good way to further stimulate your child’s
growing brain.

9) Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself

Things will get stressful, so don’t forget to take small breaks whenever you
can. Even things as simple as a quick shower, a short walk, or a few minutes
of quiet time can recharge your energy and give you the patience to make it
through the next phases.

Month 4: Embracing Milestones

10) Gradually Introduce More Playtime

As babies’ brains develop, they’ll want to start to explore their surroundings
more. Age-appropriate toys that stimulate their senses, like rattles and soft
books, will help them develop a deeper appreciation of their environment.
Avoid screen time this early as it can have negative effects on their
development.

11) Encourage Social Interaction

Allow your baby to safely interact with as many family members and other
babies as possible. Exposure to different voices and faces can support
emotional and cognitive growth, helping them develop their EQ and social
skills early on.

12) Watch for Sleep Regression

Babies may wake up more at night around the fourth month. However, rather than
immediately feeding them as you would have had in the early months, try to
soothe them with gentle rocking or singing instead.

Month 5: Exploring Beyond Your Comfort Zones

13) Begin Introducing Solid Foods (If Ready)

At around 5 to 6 months, your baby may be ready for their solid foods. Start
with mashed vegetables or lugaw and avoid things including bits and pieces
that require chewing.

14) Make Bath Time Fun

Some babies may enjoy the unique sensory experiences of bath time, from the
splashing sounds to the feel of water on their skin. Start incorporating bath
toys and songs to make their daily bath time routine a more pleasant
experience.

15) Keep Track of Your Baby’s Emerging Personality

Your little one will start showing unique quirks and preferences around this
time. They might express a preference for a favorite lullaby or a preferred
sleeping position. Learn to enjoy these discoveries and consider documenting
them.

Month 6: Celebrating Half a Year of Parenthood

16) Encourage More Independent Sitting

Your baby may start sitting up on their own around the half-year mark. Offer
lots of encouragement and prop them up with pillows, if needed.

17) Start Establishing a More Consistent Bedtime Routine

The baby may start to respond to tighter routines around this time. Start
having bath times around the same time each day and dimming the lights close
to bedtime to signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep. This way, you and
your partner may also start getting a bit more rest.

18) Celebrate Small Wins

Your baby’s firsts may come and go before you even realize it. Take photos,
journal, or simply pause every once in a while to appreciate how much you and
your baby have achieved. The best is still to come!

Take Your Early Parenting Challenges a Day at a Time

The first six months of parenthood are not going to be a walk in the park. But
with these tips and help from your family and pediatrician, you’ll have it in
you to take each day as it comes. Soon, you’ll be celebrating your baby’s
first birthday, amazed at how much they have grown.

Similar stories: