If your baby has older siblings, you'll notice clear signs of competition during this period, especially if the older sibling is only a little over a year older than the baby. Before this, the baby was relatively easy to care for, mostly sleeping and not needing constant attention. But now, they demand more and need more attention, so you'll need to reallocate your time and energy to ensure each child gets enough.
Your older child may also be jealous of the attention given to the baby. You can arrange specific household tasks exclusively for the "big brother" or "big sister" that don't involve the baby. This way, you can spend some one-on-one time with the older child while getting chores done. Let them know how much you appreciate their help.
You can help build a good relationship between the older sibling and the baby by involving them in activities related to the baby. Singing or telling stories together with the older sibling can be enjoyable for the baby. The older sibling can also help to some extent in taking care of the baby, offering assistance while you bathe or dress the baby. However, don't leave the baby alone with the older sibling unless they're at least 12 years old, as they might inadvertently harm the baby without realizing it.
At this stage, the older sibling can reach things on their own and interact with more items and people. Additionally, around 6 months, children lose the immunity they received through the placenta from the mother's body, so you may notice an increased risk of infectious diseases. Protecting your child from illness starts with minimizing their contact with sick people, especially those with highly contagious diseases like the flu, respiratory syncytial virus infection, chickenpox, or measles. If someone in your circle is affected by any of these diseases, keep your child away from them until you're sure they're not contagious. However, sometimes adults and children can be contagious 1-2 days before symptoms appear, so occasional infections in babies are sometimes unavoidable.