Your Baby and You: Week Twenty Seven
YOUR BABY
Physical Development: He's still got no hair!
Some babies are born with a full head of hair, while others are born with no hair at all. Some babies have patches of hair, while others sport wild looking hairstyles. Whatever the amount of hair on your baby's head, rest assured that it is totally normal. If your baby is still a bit bald at 7 months of age, do not fret: as with many stages of development, babies grow their hair at different rates.
Behavioural: Let's play games
Playing with your baby is an important way of encouraging her development. Your baby will love playing games like Peek-a-boo and Pat-a-cake. Your baby will also get endless enjoyment from clapping her hands. Get some ideas for age-appropriate Games to Play With Your Baby here.
Feeding: Keeping hydrated
Breastfed babies may not have had water to drink before, but once they are Weaning to Solids it is important to introduce water as a drink alongside food. Regardless of whether your baby has been formula fed or breastfed, always make sure you offer him a drink of water to sip on with every meal as this will help keep him well hydrated and prevent constipation.
Care Advice: Changing poos
Have you noticed a change your baby's bowel movements now that she is eating solids? Poos often become more solid, sometimes more smelly and in a range of colours. You may also see undigested food in your baby's poo. Don't worry; these changes are all completely normal.
Common or Serious Ailments: Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious infection that causes swelling (inflammation) in the lungs. Pneumonia can affect anyone, but can be life-threatening in babies, young children and the elderly, who are likely to need treatment in hospital.
If your baby develops breathing difficulties, a cough and a high temperature contact your doctor immediately.
Don't Forget: Diarrhoea
Be careful not to always assume that any diarrhoea (runny poos) your baby has is a result of Teething. Experts disagree on whether fretfulness, a high temperature and diarrhoea (often coinciding with Nappy Rash) are symptoms of teething, or whether it is more likely that your baby is poorly by coincidence at the same time. It is really important not to ignore the signs of potentially dangerous tummy bugs. If your baby has diarrhoea (and any other unusual symptoms) always contact your GP. It is better to be safe than sorry and your doctor will never mind checking your baby over to make sure they are not seriously ill.
THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK
Ways to Entertain Baby: Can you repeat that?
Rhymes and songs help your baby's language development by learning new words and sentences. They also introduce your baby to different noises, counting skills and, if you do the actions with them, help the development of your baby's hand-eye coordination. Babies love repetition, so soon they will start to recognise the song within the first few lyrics. Babies quickly develop their own favourite rhymes and songs and will respond excitedly when you start singing them. Take a look at our Rhymes and Stories section for rhyme suggestions with gentle and more energetic actions and rhymes with counting.
ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK
Your Body: Post-pregnancy body
The chances are your body may look a little different now that you've had a baby. Maybe you've got a few extra curves. Maybe you love your new shape and feel fitter and healthier than ever before. Maybe you are keen to lose the weight you gained in pregnancy and may take up new forms of Exercise. However you feel about your body, be proud of your achievements. Don't forget what an amazing job your body has done by growing and giving birth to a baby.
Activities: Cinema
Has it been a while since you last went to the cinema? How about checking out your local cinema listings to see if they do any Parent and Baby showings? Many cinemas allow you to take your baby along to these special viewings. You will be in an audience of other parents, so it doesn't matter if you baby cries or needs feeding during the film.
