How to Manage the First 6 Months of Parenthood [18 Tips]

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

Few experiences are as life-changing as welcoming a new baby into the world, especially if it’s your first one. Fortunately for Filipino parents, this journey rarely has to be undertaken alone. Family and even close friends will often volunteer to pitch in to make the early months easier to manage.

How to Manage the First 6 Months of Parenthood [18 Tips]

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

Some modern Filipino parents are hesitant to involve their extended family, but you shouldn’t hesitate to accept help if you need it—and you will. Grandparents, titos, and titas are often eager to lend a helping hand, whether it’s babysitting while you rest or sending essentials like formula or baby bath soap. Be grateful when accepting this help and don’t forget to set healthy boundaries as needed.

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.