Your Baby and You: Week Sixteen
YOUR BABY
Physical Development: Rolling from front to back
Around week 16 many babies learn (or manage accidentally!) to roll from their front to their back. More often than not, the early successful rolls come as quite a surprise to them and it is important that you respond positively to show them that it isn't something to be frightened by. It is sensible to make sure that when they are playing on the floor, they are on a padded play mat or carpet that won't hurt their heads if they roll with a bit of a crash landing.
Behavioural Development: When play gets too much
Whilst your baby might show delight at one toy, the next one might leave him in tears. This is often as a result of being overwhelmed by something new, particularly if the toy is noisy. Reassure your baby with positive reinforcement (saying encouraging things with a happy, positive tone) to help build their confidence and curiosity for exploring new things.
Feeding: Weaning already?
Some people do start weaning their baby onto solid food from the age of 4 months, and it can be hard to know what the right time is for your baby. Many health experts are starting to come round to the idea that waiting until 6 months is sometimes unnecessary, but 4 months is still very early and there are risks associated with weaning at this age. The main concern is that babies fed on anything other than breast milk or formula (the foodstuffs considered to be most nutritiously balanced for a baby of this age) will have their appetite for milk decreased if their stomachs are being filled with solid food, even small amounts of solid food. This means that your baby could be left short on important nutrients.
A common myth related to weaning is that it helps babies to sleep better, this isn't actually the case. Some people wean their babies because they feel they aren't getting enough from either breast milk or formula. Babies who do not seem satisfied with milk alone are probably undergoing a growth spurt and their more frequent feeds are designed to stimulate greater milk production from their mother's breasts. In the case of formula fed babies may need to start having a greater quantity of milk in their feeds - although always check the guidelines for your baby's age when adjusting formula amounts.
Care Advice: Baby massage and tummy sleeping
Giving your baby a massage has lots of benefits, from relaxation to the relief of colic and wind. It is also a great way to spend quality time with your little one and to help your bond to grow. Read more here about massage techniques and benefits for your baby.
Parents are strongly encouraged to put their baby down to sleep on their back rather than on their tummy. Babies who sleep on their tummy are at significantly more risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or cot death) than those that sleep on their backs. If you are struggling to get your baby to sleep on their backs see our section on common sleep problems for advice on settling your baby to sleep and managing common sleep difficulties.
Safety Advice
Safety Tip for rolling
Once your baby learns to roll, you need to be aware of the area around them as opposed to just where they are lying. Make sure that hard floors are covered with padded play mats, rugs or cushions to avoid bumped heads when those rolls result in clumsy landings!
THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK
Activities: Baby Massage
Have a look around for baby massage classes. They are usually weekly sessions across about 6 weeks where mums sit together with their babies and an instructor and learn different massage techniques for their little one. It is usually a very relaxing experience for everyone - although of course there's always at least one who needs feeding through the duration of the class!
Sometimes these classes can be a little bit expensive, or hard to get on. You don't need to have attended a course in order to massage your baby safely at home, read our tips for getting started with baby massage here.
ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK
Your Body: Post-natal fitness
Most women feel able to resume gentle exercise by now, but if you are in any doubt at all then it is wise to seek advice first from your GP. Fitting in exercise around your baby can be challenging, but there are lots of options. Here are a few ideas:
- Outdoor exercise classes specifically for mums with buggies - these are brilliant groups getting you and your baby out in the fresh air, exercising and meeting new people
- Arrange to go to classes or the gym at your local leisure centre at a time when your partner will be home and can take care of the baby. Swimming is a great way to rebuild your strength and fitness
- Take the buggy out for a serious walk or jog - look for areas with nicely tarmacked paths that are easy on the buggy. Time yourself the first time and gradually work up to faster times.
- Try a home fitness DVD - this is the easiest way to fit exercise into your daily routine and you can do it at any time of day. Look for post-natal DVDs to start with.
Don't forget to supplement any exercise with continued pelvic floor exercises. Try to keep them as part of your daily routine - they have many benefits including helping you to prevent current or future bladder problems.
Your Relationships: Daddy & Baby
If you are the primary carer for your baby it can be hard for your partner to form a bond with your baby. This is particularly the case for women who breastfeed exclusively because it means that their partners don't feed the baby. Here are some tips for encouraging Daddy-baby quality time:
- Try to find a responsibility for your partner to take on as a matter of routine. Maybe that's getting them dressed in the morning, bathing them or giving them a feed each day (if your baby takes a bottle)
- Don't be critical of your partner's approach or ability with your baby, this can really damage a father's confidence and enjoyment of spending time looking after their little one. Suggest alternative ways of doing something if necessary, but be careful not to give orders, it's important that Daddy gets to learn his baby's needs at his own pace
- Step back. It doesn't matter if they put on the wrong clothes or forget to use the nappy cream once or twice. You don't need to hover over your partner and baby, take the opportunity to go and get some unfinished jobs done, wash your hair or even go out for a while. It's important that your partner can see you have confidence in them.
- Don't worry too much if your partner is unable to settle your baby initially, you must give them the time and the space to try, and to do so frequently.
Time for yourself
Plan something to do whilst your partner takes care of the baby. Whether it's a browse around the shops, a walk on your own, coffee with a friend or a visit to the salon for a pedicure, do something that will give you some hard earned time off.
YOUR WEEKLY CHECKLIST
(Helping to keep you organised!)
Routine medical appointments: Immunisations
Your baby should be having the last of their 2-4 month vaccinations either this week or next week. If you have not got an appointment then contact your surgery as soon as possible to make one.
Ask your nurse for the current advice on giving children's paracetamol after vaccinations.
Admin: Keep the red book safe
Don't forget to keep your baby's red book somewhere safe and remember to take it to every medical appointment, including their vaccinations.
