How big is your baby?
This week your baby will be weighing around 91/2 pounds and measuring 211/4 inches if he/she was of average size at birth.
Your baby is gaining more control over his/her neck muscles. You may notice He/She shifts his/her head more often now to look at what is around him/her. He/She can also hold his/her head up for a few seconds now, and may extend his/her legs and arms when he/she holds his/her head up.
Your baby may be smiling on his/her own now! He/She has been making expressions that may appear to be smiles since birth, but these would not have been of a social nature. You may also notice that baby is showing more excitement when it comes to regular activities such as bath time or play time. He/She may demonstrate this by cooing or making other noises while kicking his/her legs.
Your baby will be more visually alert now when in a sitting position. He/She will begin to associate lying down with sleeping, so when baby is awake keep him/her in a sitting position, or semi upright, for as long as possible, and he/she will enjoy seeing what is around him/her.
Baby Development Milestones This Week
Physical Development
- Can hold head up at 45 degree angle for a few seconds while lying on stomach
- Muscle tone is improving
- Stare vaguely at surroundings
Mental & Social Development
- Studies movement of his/her own hands
- May become excited in anticipation of objects
- May smile when you smile
- Will stay awake for longer if interacting with someone
Feeding Baby
Introducing the bottle to a breastfed baby If you find it necessary to feed your baby from a bottle, keep in mind the following as you learn this new skill:
Don't offer a bottle until you have breastfed for at least 4 weeks
Let someone else, such as your partner, give your baby the bottle first
Offer the first bottle when he's not hungry, if you wait till he/she is starving, then he/she may be too distressed to eat
Introduce the bottle slowly. Drop a little milk on his/her lips from the bottle, then wait till he/she open his/her mouth before you put the bottle in
Your baby may take to the bottle better if you hold him/her in a different position than when you nurse him/her.
When bottle feeding your baby, site him/her in a more upright position.
Don't loose control. Be patient when you are trying to start your baby bottle feeding. If your baby gets angry or upset, take a break and try again later
Dealing with a temperature
A fever may be a sign that the immune system is at work. When your baby has a fever he/she may be fighting an infection.
A fever is defined as a rectal temperature of greater than 101F (38.3C). You can try some treatments at home to reduce your baby's fever:
Encourage baby to take in fluid
Let him/her rest
Don't dress him/her to warmly
Give him/her acetaminophen if he/she seems uncomfortable. DO NOT exceed the recommended dosage, follow the instructions and measure carefully
Pay special attention to any other symptoms which your baby may display
When To call the doctor:
Your baby is less than 3 months old with a temperature higher than 101F (38.3C) taken rectally.
Has a fever of 104F (40C) and acts ill
Cries inconsolably
Is lethargic or difficult to wake
Has breathing difficulties
Has sore throat or difficulty swallowing
Shows signs of improvement after giving him/her acetaminophen
Has a fever for more than 72 hours
Was better but the fever returned
Seems to have ear pain
Has difficulty or pain when urinating
Has a febrile seizure (seizure accompanied by fever)
Toys and Play
Let baby enjoy many sounds
Most babies enjoy toys that make sounds when they play with them, but baby enjoys other sounds too, such as water sounds or the sound of waves. Some toys make many different sounds such as: white noise, tick-tock and wind chimes.
The Reaching Game
Play this game to encourage your baby to begin using his/her arms. When you hold a toy near baby, he/she may crane his/her head and neck to see it in his/her field of vision. Move it a little closer and place it near his/her hands. See if he/she reaches for it, if not then place one of his/her hands on the toy. Keep up with this game every time you play for a while without forcing him/her.
Pulling
While baby is lying on his/her back gently pull baby up to a sitting position. He/She will probably flex his/her neck slightly. This encourages him/her to lift his/her head steady. Be sure not too pull to hard or too fast.
Quick Tips For This Week
Keep your baby safe from germs by avoiding crowded areas. Ask people to look, but not to touch. If family members or friends have a cold, ask them to wash their hands before they hold baby.
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