Your Baby and You: Week Thirty Seven
YOUR BABY
Physical Development: Crawling
Babies often start crawling at around 9 months, and whilst the initial movements might be slow and hesitant, it won't be long until they're surprising you with how far they can travel - and how quickly!
Speech: Mama? Dada?
Behavioural Development: How many naps?
Babies' routines should be less focussed around number of separate naps and sleeps and more around the total number of hours sleep that they get during a 24 hour period. You may know other babies who are still taking 3 naps each day whilst yours is hard to get down all morning and is therefore only having one long afternoon nap. All babies are different, so concentrate on the overall amount of sleep that yours is getting and look for signs that they might not be getting enough sleep - including falling asleep during feeds, grumpy behaviour and whinging.
Whatever your child's routine, it is important to try and keep it as regular as possible. Parents who keep to a regular routine for bedtime and naps tend to find that their babies go to sleep more easily.
Feeding: No low-fat for little ones
Don't be tempted to take the low fat option with dairy products for your baby. Whilst they should still be having only breast milk or formula for their milk feeds, you can use cow's milk and other dairy products in their food. Make sure that you use only full-fat dairy products until your baby is 2 years old, as they need the extra fats and vitamins contained in these foods.
Care Advice: Crawling clothes
Under no circumstances are we recommending that you change your baby's wardrobe once they start to crawl - you change it often enough to keep up with their ever growing bodies! However, bear in mind when choosing their clothes in the morning that dresses and skirts can make crawling very difficult as they get their knees caught up in the material. Leggings and trousers are more practical, and even better are bare legs if the weather permits. If your baby is starting to experiment with standing then try to have them barefoot as often as possible as socks can be extremely slippery on some floors. Alternatively some baby socks and tights do come with grips on the sole.
Safety Advice
Safety Tip
Be extra vigilant about bumps and bruises as your baby learns to crawl. Furniture corners and hard floors can cause easily lead to knocks. Ensure your baby is not in slippery clothes when crawling on hard floors and cover sharp corners of furniture - especially on low areas such as the fire hearth.
Common illnesses and ailments: Bumps & Bruises
It can be tempting to remove all the furniture, pad all the walls and get your baby a crash helmet once they start becoming mobile. Taking a sensible approach to home safety is the best course of action, but it is impossible to avoid bumps and bruises all the time. A cold compress can help to sooth any knocks they take, it may also help to reduce swelling. If they bump their head then monitor them closely for any signs of serious injury (such as persistent irritability, excessive sleepiness and vomiting) and take them to your GP or local hospital if you are at all concerned.
THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK
Activities: Involve clear speech all the time
Whatever you are doing with your baby, use a clear voice and speak slowly to explain objects and actions. For example, when waving hello or goodbye avoid mumbling 'see ya' or 'cheers', say the words hello or goodbye and enunciate them clearly. Your baby is learning from you all the time.
ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK
Your Emotion: It's normal to feel proud of your baby
Babies might be learning to crawl every day, and yours certainly isn't the first. But it is natural - and enjoyable - to watch their development and want to tell the world about it. Be sensitive to others' whose babies aren't yet crawling but don't feel self-conscious if your baby's latest milestone leaves you feeling a little emotional.
