Your Baby and You: Week Twenty Six
YOUR BABY
Physical Development: Sitting independently
It will take your baby at least 6 months before he can sit independently. Your baby will discover that being able to sit up on his own opens up a whole new world of thrilling possibilities when it comes to the things he can look at, play with and the activities he can do.
Don't Forget: Are they sitting comfortably?
Make sure you surround your sitting baby with cushions just in case she loses her balance and topples over unexpectedly. If your baby is a little wobbly, prop cushions behind her back to help her to sit up, or use a U-shaped breastfeeding pillow or a play ring.
Feeding: Introducing new foods
Your baby will be Weaning to Solids, and so you will be gradually introducing him to the fun of eating: trying new foods, flavours and textures. This can be a really exciting (and messy) time. Try not to rush and go at your baby's pace at each mealtime - babies can take a long time to eat and play with their food, but that's all part of the fun and enjoyment of weaning. When you start your baby on solids, many nutritionists recommend using the 4-day rule. This is where you introduce new foods one by one, 4 days apart. Once you know your baby has no allergies to a certain food, you can mix foods together to make it more interesting. Read A Guide To Introducing Solids for more information on what and when to feed your baby.
Care Advice: Weaning equipment
You may want to check that you have all the weaning equipment you need: the good news is that you don't need to break the bank and many items you probably already have in your kitchen. Our checklist of useful equipment:
- A potato masher or a sieve (to mash food or push cooked fruit or vegetables through)
- Food processors, blenders and hand held whisks are not essential but are a great tool to make purees quickly and easily
- An ice cube tray (for storing and freezing batches of puree in small quantities)
- A highchair
- Plastic feeding spoons
- A plentiful supply of bibs
Physical Development: How nappies are affected by weaning
Weaning to solids means that your baby is enjoying a diet of solid foods as well as milk. You may notice a change in the contents of your baby's nappies as a result, with bowel movements becoming more solid, sometimes more smelly and in a range of colours. You may also see undigested food in your baby's poo. This is all totally normal. Your baby may become slightly constipated (when her poos are more solid and harder to pass) when she starts eating solids. Make sure you always offer her a drink of water to sip on with every meal as this will help keep her well hydrated. If your baby does become constipated, cut down on baby rice and bananas as these can be binding. Increase the fibre-rich foods, such as vegetables.
Common or Serious Ailments: Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a very contagious infection that is caused by bacteria in the lungs and airways: it is passed from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Babies under 6 months of age are most at risk of developing breathing difficulties and other serious complications.
Whooping cough normally starts as a dry persistent cough before developing into intense bouts of coughing. This is followed by the distinctive "whooping" noise that gives the illness its name. Other symptoms of whooping cough include a high temperature, runny nose and being sick after coughing. Whooping cough can last for around 3 months.
If you suspect your baby has whooping cough, contact your GP as soon as possible. Babies less than 6 months old will likely be admitted to hospital for treatment. Older babies and children with whooping cough may be prescribed a course of antibiotics. It is important to try and prevent the spread of whooping cough to others, especially to babies under 6 months old. Children with whooping cough should not go to nursery or school and should avoid public places until they have finished their course of antibiotics.
All pregnant women in the UK are now offered the whooping cough vaccination when they are between 28 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. This could help to protect their babies from getting whooping cough in the first few weeks of their lives. It is important for children to receive the whooping cough vaccination at two, three and four months, as well as at pre-school age.
THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK
Ways to Entertain Baby: Reading together
Reading simple books to your baby is now more beneficial than ever before. Babies start to recognise familiar pictures, the words you say and the stories you tell at this age. There are many books available for babies: many have bright, colourful pictures, and different textures for your baby to feel. Babies also love books with lift-the-flaps, pop-up bits and noisy buttons. How about taking a trip to the library together? Many libraries have large children's sections and this way you don't have to spend money to keep your baby entertained.
ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK
Your Body: Post-natal fitness
It is natural to want to get back into shape after having your baby, but remember that 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.
Your Relationships: Date night?
When was the last time you and your partner had some quality time together? Time to plan a date, even if it is just time to pop out to lunch. Can a family member or friend look after your baby for a few hours?
Time For Yourself
Now the date with your partner is in the diary, time to squeeze in a bit of time for you to enjoy getting ready. It doesn't need to be extravagant, even time for a bath and to do your make-up and hair can be a treat in itself.
YOUR WEEKLY CHECKLIST
Work and breastfeeding
If you are planning on going back to work, you don't need to stop breastfeeding if you don't want to. Employers have obligations towards breastfeeding women. You must notify your employer, in writing in advance of returning to work, that you would like to continue to breastfeed so that they can make the necessary arrangements. Read our Breastfeeding and Work article, for information for you and your employer.
Baby health: Vitamin D
All babies and young children aged 6 months to 5 years should take a daily supplement of vitamin drops containing vitamin D. This is to help your child meet the requirement set for this age group of 7.0 to 8.5 micrograms of vitamin D a day. However, babies fed infant formula will not need vitamin drops until they are drinking less than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, as formulas are fortified with vitamin D.
