Your Baby and You: Week Thirty Five
YOUR BABY
Physical Development: I can sit unsupported!
Your baby may now be able to get up into a sitting position from lying on her stomach. Once she is sat upright she is likely not to need any support to keep her there. With her legs stretched out in front of her, you may see her lean from side to side and forwards without tumbling over, as her muscles and coordination strengthen her balance will become more noticeable.
Social/Emotional Development: Playing with genitals
Babies discover their bodies in all sorts of ways, by sucking their fingers, tugging their ears, prodding their bellybuttons and playing with their feet. They will also at some point, discover that they have a penis or a vagina (genitals), and demonstrate just as much curiosity for them. It can be a bit shocking to see your child behave this way, but try not to show this to your baby: rest assured that this is completely normal behaviour. To your baby, their penis or vagina is just another part of their body that they want to explore. Read more about why it is normal for babies to touch themselves and what to do if it happens here: Discovering Their Body.
Behavioural Development: Nap times
At the age of 8 months, your baby will probably now have two Daytime Naps. Although every baby is different, it is likely your baby will have one nap in the morning and one in the afternoon, with total daily sleep averaging about three hours. Morning naps can usually be taken whenever it suits your baby, but just watch his afternoon nap doesn't start too late such that it ends too close to bedtime. Daytime sleep is still really important to make sure your baby gets his rest and doesn't become over-tired, over-stimulated, and difficult to handle or settle to sleep at night.
Feeding: Finger foods
Make sure you always offer your baby finger foods as part of every meal to encourage self-feeding. If your baby has control over the food she eats off her plate and how she eats it, this should help prevent any future fussiness. Don't worry if your child doesn't want to use a spoon or fork to feed herself: picking peas up between your thumb and finger and dipping your hands in your yogurt is all part of the fun of eating when you are a baby. Now your baby has become more used to eating you can try bolder flavours and slightly harder textures such as soft cooked meat, eggs (these must be well-cooked), pasta, chopped up olives, and bread. You can also try giving your baby bite-sized sandwiches, with fillings such as soft cheese, finely chopped chicken mixed with yoghurt, and hummus.
Care Advice: Danger warnings
Babies have no concept of danger and possible hazards in the home. It is a good idea to try and teach your baby about 'hot' and 'sharp' objects from an early age. For example if your oven is on and at your baby's level of course you need to make sure your baby steers well clear of this area. Similarly if you have a hot drink in your hand, you need to keep it out of your baby's reach. To help explain why, point the hazard out to your baby and say 'Danger: hot! Ouch! Don't touch.' Likewise with a sharp corner on a piece of furniture, or when you are using a pair of scissors, say 'Danger: sharp! Ouch! Don't touch.'
Common or Serious Ailments: Flu
Flu is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus. Anyone can catch the flu, but children are at high risk because they are much more infectious than adults.
The flu can be spread through:
- coughing or sneezing (a sneeze can send flu germs flying up to 6 feet);
- contact (for example a hug) with someone who has the flu;
- touching something with the flu virus on it (flu germs can live on a surface for up to 8 hours) and then touching the mouth or nose.
The symptoms of flu include a headache, runny nose, sore eyes and throat, extreme tiredness and weakness, a sudden high temperature and shivering, aching limbs and joints, coughing, vomiting and diarrhea. Flu symptoms can start quite suddenly, and often children are so ill that they have to stay in bed for several days. Although the illnesses can often be confused, the flu is much more serious than the common cold. The effects of the flu last longer than those of a cold: cold symptoms are usually over within a few days. The flu can be serious in children and cause life-threatening problems. If you suspect your baby has flu, you should contact your doctor straight away.
Don't forget: Home safety
If you have a fire make sure you put a fireguard in front of it and fix it to the wall if you can, to prevent it falling on to your baby should they pull themselves up on it. Lower your water heater to 170 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce the risk of injury caused by scalding water. Also check that your radiators and any exposed pipes don't get too hot. If a radiator feels hot turn it down, or off altogether, if you are able to. Read Making The House Baby-Safe for ways to baby-proof your home.
THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK
Thing To Do With Your Baby: Roll the ball
Try playing ball together. Roll the ball towards your baby and say: 'Here comes the ball! I roll the ball to Oliver!' If he manages to push it away, encourage and congratulate him for rolling it all by himself. Gradually you can build up to rolling the ball back and forth between the two of you, and then throwing and bouncing it.
ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK
Your Body: Post-natal fitness
Getting fit need not be a chore; there's no need to feel under pressure, just take it at the right pace for you. Take a look at our Exercise section for ideas and tips on how to regain your fitness.
Activities: Colleague catch-up
If you are feeling daunted about your return to work, then rest assured that you won't be the only one. The transition from being at home full-time to being back in paid work is challenging for most people. Arrange a meeting with a friendly colleague or your line manager for a catch-up coffee or lunch. This way you can find out what has been happening before your official start date so you feel well prepared for your first day.
