Your Baby and You: Week Forty
YOUR BABY
Physical Development: My baby just learned to sit up, she seems behind other babies
The 'average' age at which milestones are reached is something that is talked about a lot between parents. But it is really important for both parents of early achievers, and those that reach the milestones later, that they understand that there is a very broad time span for most physical development points. If your baby has only just learned to sit unsupported there is no need for concern, she will develop at her own pace, and might even skip a few of the normal stages.
Not being concerned about your baby is always easier said than done, it is a natural instinct for parents to worry about their child in every way - be that their health, their safety, or their development. Always talk to your health visitor or doctor for advice, or just for peace of mind if any aspect of your child's development is bothering you.
Feeding: Should I be feeding my baby organic food?
Organic food is food which has been produced using fewer chemicals and contains no genetically modified ingredients. Eating organic food will ensure that you consume fewer pesticides but there is little evidence, as yet, that the pesticides found in non-organic produce cause any harm to people eating them. There is no need, therefore, for you to give your baby an organic diet, but it is important to remember to wash all fruit and vegetables before they are eaten - even if you are cooking them.
Breastfeeding - When to stop
There are lots of factors that contribute to a mother's decision of when to stop breastfeeding. It's great if you have breastfed until now, and you can continue to do so for a long time to come yet. However, plans to return to work, or a desire to have more flexibility to be away from your baby for some feeds can make formula milk a more practical solution. Many parents, however, go on to breastfeed their children for up to 2 years or more, so if you are happy to carry on then great!
Care Advice: Shoes
Your baby may well have been sporting little shoes since day 1, to keep their feet warm or just to be fashionably dressed! However, as the dawn of walking approaches it's time to think about shoes from a practical perspective too. Here are some tips on shoes for your baby:
- For crawlers and during the early stages of walking, barefoot is best, so allow them to be barefoot as much as possible.
- Crawlers, cruisers and new walkers do need some kind of foot protection when out and about, so look for pre-walker shoes with plenty of cushioning and good heel and toe protection.
- Once your baby is walking confidently and for a lot of the time, it is time to get them their first pair of walking shoes. It is best to get these fitted correctly in a shop, to ensure that they offer optimal comfort and allow your baby's feet to develop properly.
Safety Advice
Safety Tip - Check your detectors
It's easy to get bogged down in all the baby-specific aspects of health and safety at home, checking for sharp corners or dangerous contents of low-level drawers and cupboards. But don't overlook the general safety aspects of your home. Ensure you have enough smoke detectors fitted and test them regularly to check that they are working. You can get good advice on the fire service website.
It is also advisable to have an audible carbon monoxide alarm, because if you suffered CO poisoning whilst you were asleep you wouldn't notice the early warning symptoms. More advice on CO safety is available here.
Common illnesses and ailments: Constipation
If your baby starts passing fewer stools, or they seem to be in noticeable discomfort when trying to pass one, then they may be constipated. You will probably notice that their poos are harder than normal too. Make sure that they are drinking water with and between meals and that their diet contains a good variety of fruit and vegetables. If you are still worried about your baby's bowel movements you should make an appointment to see your GP.
THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK
Entertainment: Does she seem bored sometimes?
Your baby is growing up, quickly. And as babies mature they need more, or at least a change, when it comes to toys and play to keep them entertained. A colourful rattle or a stint watching the washing machine might not cut the mustard anymore and it's time to come up with some new ideas.
- Introduce new toys, you may have some put away that were too grown up for her when she was born. There is no need to spend a lot of money if you want to buy new ones, second hand toys are available in abundance and are easily cleaned up to be safe and hygienic for your little one.
- Find a new rhyme - you might have been singing the same ones for the last few months and be getting tired of them yourself. Learn the words (and actions!) to a couple of new ones and start reciting them with your baby. Songs that have an element of anticipation to them - such as the 'pop!' in Pop goes the weasel often provoke a great reaction from babies of this age once they get to know them.
- Get creative with your kitchen utensils, there is an abundance of 'stuff' in most kitchens that doubles as both a useful piece of kitchen apparatus and an interesting toy for a baby. Hand your baby a silicone basting brush or the classic combination of a saucepan and a wooden spoon whilst you get dinner cooked. You might be surprised at how much entertainment they provide!
Activities: Entertaining your baby in the car
Coping as a driver with a bored baby in the car can be stressful, and at times dangerous. Have a few tricks up your sleeve before you set off to keep the journey more enjoyable for everyone.
- In car toys - preferably ones that attach safely to the car seat, or to the back of the chair in front of them so that they can't drop them. You can buy interlinking plastic loops to form handy chains for attaching all sorts of toys from home - be careful to keep these short enough so as not to present a choking hazard. Assess all toys for safety regularly, having a child in a rear-facing seat and out of reach means that you need to be completely confident that they cannot choke or hurt themselves on their toys.
- Mirrors - lots of parents have them to enable them to see their baby in their rear view mirror whilst sat in a rear-facing child seat, but have you tried offering your baby the chance to see himself on a long journey? Babies love their own reflections and can be entertained by them for some time. Make sure that the mirror is designed for babies and cannot be broken.
- Toy rotation - change the toys in your car regularly so that they don't become boring, and on a long journey stop periodically to offer something new. If you have another person in the car who can offer them new toys for you that's a big help.
- Music - most babies are entertained by music to some degree. Try singing them their favourite songs, play a CD of familiar nursery rhymes or try some different radio stations to keep them entertained.
- Face time - on a long journey, if there is another person in the car, ask them to sit next to the baby. Having some human face-face interaction will remind your baby that they are not on their own and will offer them lots more opportunities for chat and play!
ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK
Your Body: Pelvic floor exercises
Yes you should still be doing them, try to make them a habit rather than another chore on your 'to-do list'. Pelvic floor exercises are still important even if your pelvic floor feels stronger now than a few months ago. These exercises will help you to prevent problems later in life such as a prolapsed uterus and bladder problems. They are especially important if you think you might go on to have more babies in the future.
Your Emotions: Feeling body-conscious?
All women have different experiences when it comes to a changed body shape post-baby. If yours isn't quite what you had hoped it would be 9 months after your baby was born, don't worry. The constant media coverage of celebrities and there speedy returns to their pre-baby weight or shape can cloud our understanding of what is normal, and ultimately what is achievable for the average woman. Celebrities are under untold pressure to regain their old figures as quickly as possible, but by and large they have the money to buy them plentiful childcare, personal trainers and dieticians - none of which are the norm for most people.
Be proud of your post baby body, and don't write it off as something to be hidden or ashamed of. It is the result of the huge achievement you made by bringing your baby into this world and ought to be celebrated.
That said, if you do still feel that you want to lose some weight or get toned up, it's not too late to get started. Be honest with yourself about your diet and fitness levels and start setting yourself some realistic new targets.
Your Relationship: Want to talk baby?
It's not uncommon for parents to start thinking about expanding their family when their baby is still so young, particularly if the last baby took some time to conceive. However, there are a number of factors you need to consider before you make this big decision:
- Your body - experts differ on their advice but there is a general belief that conceiving again too soon after having a baby can be detrimental to a mother's health
- The health of the baby - many experts believe that babies conceived sooner than 17 months after the birth of the last baby are at greater risk of prematurity and other complications.
- Your relationship - is this something that you both firmly agree on? The first year with a baby can put a lot of strain on a relationship and the idea of another one at such an early stage might cause some concerns for you or your partner.
- Other children - are you happy about the dynamic that would be achieved with a small age gap between your children? Have you considered what it would be like to have two very young children, both requiring a lot of attention, and probably both in nappies together for a while?
- Finance - as cold as it seems up against the potential joy of having another baby, considering your financial situation is really important before making such a big decision. Not only are children expensive, but your time off work for maternity leave can also make a big dent in the family's budget.
