Your Baby and You: Week Forty Seven
YOUR BABY
Physical Development: Cruising
Walking is talked about as typically happening at around the 12 month mark, but it can be earlier, and in many cases it is much later. If your baby is getting stronger at pulling himself up using the side of the cot, or furniture, you may slowly begin to see him moving his feet in a stepping action. Eventually he will learn to move along the side of what he is holding by taking small steps, and this is known as cruising. It is worth noting that the step from standing to cruising can take some time to master, so be patient!
Behavioural Development: Teeth grinding
In most cases, when babies grind their teeth it is not a cause for concern. It is often an experimental action, one where they are enjoying creating the sensation and the sound themselves. Although, sometimes it can be a means of releasing tension. It is a habit that many babies develop, but most for only a short time. Read more here about the reasons babies grind their teeth and when it might become cause for concern.
Feeding: Inconsistent preferences?
One week your baby approaches up a stick of broccoli with as much gusto as most adults do for a chocolate brownie, and the next week they look at it in disgust. Babies can be quite fickle about foods, but remember that they are just as likely to change their mind back again. So don't start listing foods that your baby doesn't like, keep offering the same food from time to time and the chances are, eventually they will start eating it again.
Feeding Tip
Even at this young age, your baby is learning from you all the time. Set a good example with your approach to food and don't talk about certain foods being ones that you or they 'don't like'. If they don't eat something, don't make a big fuss about it and don't say things like 'you don't like tomatoes, do you?'. It's important to get into good habits now when it comes to discussing food, soon enough your little one will be a toddler and the last thing you want is to encourage the use of the line 'I don't like it' as this is a great all round get-out clause for meal times later on!
Safety Advice: Watch those cruisers!
If your baby does start to take her fist cruising steps, take a fresh look at what is now within her reach. You can no longer make a cup of tea 'safe' by pushing it further along the coffee table, and ornaments, books and phones might now be in much easier reach for her.
Common illnesses and ailments: Nosebleeds
Whilst any sight of blood on your baby will seem alarming, nosebleeds are not usually anything to worry about. They might come about as a result of the lining of the nostrils getting dried out - especially in cold weather, with central heating, or if they have a cold. By keeping your baby's head tilted forward, the blood will run out of their nostrils, rather than back down their throat. The bleeding should stop of its own accord within a few minutes. If the bleeding is profuse, or if nosebleeds start occurring regularly then make an appointment to visit your GP.
THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK
Entertainment: Messy play with jelly
Yes really! Babies learn a lot by experimenting with different textures and jelly is a very exciting one for them. Put the jelly in a big washing up bowl, or on a large plastic sheet on the floor - present it in a way that is different to dinner time so as not to confuse your baby about manners and playing with their food.
Activities: Encouraging cruising
If your baby has been pulling up to standing comfortably for a while, you can encourage them to start cruising by placing items of interest, such as a favourite toy, just out of their reach. This often prompts them to make a move along the furniture that they are holding on to. If your baby becomes overly frustrated or distressed that they cannot reach the toy then put this activity on hold for a while, until they are ready. Remember that many babies do not learn to cruise or walk until well after their first birthday.
ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK
Your Body: Give a new exercise a go
Sometimes trying something new is all the motivation we need to get ourselves on track for a healthier and fitter lifestyle. If you haven't put on a swimming costume for years, go out and get yourself one and head down to your local swimming pool for a cheap, effective and very relaxing exercise session. Or what about yoga or pilates? You might not feel that they are for you, but you never know until you try. Many instructors offer free trial sessions, have a look in your local paper or keep an eye on noticeboards at the library and any baby groups that you attend.
YOUR WEEKLY CHECKLIST
(Helping to keep you organised!)
Childcare: Book trial visits
If you are heading back to work soon, your baby will soon be in the care of someone else. Whether your childcare plan is with a childminder or a nursery, make sure that you have trial sessions or visits booked in early. These are a great way to ease your baby into the new environment, and for you to build confidence that they are going to be happy there without you. If you book these sessions early then it gives you a chance to book an additional one before you go back to work, should you feel you need it.
