Parent and Baby

Written on April 25, 2008 – 4:31 pm | by Staff |

Week 10 – How Big Is Your Baby This Tenth Week?

Baby weighs 11 pounds and is 22-1/2 inches long this week.

Baby Care and Equipment

Don’t Feed Baby Solids to Help Him Sleep

Some people have been told that a baby needs solid food to help him sleep through the night. A friend or relative may mistakenly have given you this advice. Please ignore it.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, until your baby is at least 4 or 5 months old, he should not be given anything to eat except breast milk or formula. Solid food offers no nutritiona advantage, and it does not help baby sleep longer. In fact, feeding your baby cereal or other solids before the fourth or fifth month could give him a tummy ache. That could defeat the purpose of helping him sleep through the night by keeping him awake.

Milestones This Tenth Week

Development in your baby usually progresses from his head to hisj feet. This means you will see your baby develop strength and skills in his head and arms before he develops them in his legs or feet. Development moves from the center of baby’s body outward. He will be able to control his torso before he can control his hands or feet.

Baby’s head is less wobbly. By this time, baby’s head is less wobbly because his neck muscles are developing. He can probably sit with your help, although he won’t be sitting erect. When he’s on his tummy, he can push up off his chest a little.

Arm movements are more controlled. You may notice his arm movements are more controlled. You may see him moving his arms and legs symmetrically while he’s on his back. Or he may move them in a bicycling motion.
He may swing his arms and reach for objects that are hanging near him. He likes to feel different textures, and he may explore his face with his hands.

Language development is moving right ,; along. Your baby may coo and gurgle while eating. He may babble when someone talks to him. When he coos or gurgles at you, and you respond in kind to him, you’re playing a game. When you do this, you’re also helping him discover sounds that eventually become language. You may hear him growl, squeal, screech, coo, gurgle and chortle. He can also hear the emotional changes in your voice. He will even begin responding to his name.

Begins to recognize family members. By this time, your baby may be smiling at you (and everyone else he sees), but he is beginning to recognize family members. He may widen his eyes, smite and wiggle his body when someone familiar approaches.

Enjoys interacting with other people. Even if your baby seems content to stay in his crib, interact with him. He needs it, and it’s good for him. Get him up and make him part of family activities going on around him. Put him in his infant seat, a carry sling or in his stroller, and keep him near as you work or relax. He enjoys interacting with other people.

Baby can see color. Your baby can see color, and it is becoming exciting to him. He likes vivid colors because pastels are harder for him to distinguish. Bright primary colors (red, green, blue, yellow) and bold patterns are interesting and give him a lot to look at.

Development in your baby usually progresses from his head to his feet. This means you will see your baby develop strength and skills in his head and arms before he develops them in his legs or feet.

Types of Strollers

Which type of stroller is best for your needs? The different types available include carriage, carriage/ stroller combination, umbrella stroller, two-seat stroller, jogger stroller and stroller/car-seat combination.

Carriage stroller. This stroller has a flat surface, which is useful for a newborn. Use this type only as long as your baby is lying down. Once he begins sitting up, he could fall out of the carriage.

Carriage/stroller combination. This type does not have a flat surface for your baby to lie on. Its flattest position is one that reclines, which is OK for newborns. As baby gets older, adjust the handle to raise the back of the seat to convert the carriage into a stroller. This type of stroller is usually very comfortable for baby because it offers a well-padded seat and backrest.

Umbrella stroller. An umbrella stroller is lightweight and easy to fold, carry and pack in the car or carry onto a bus or plane. It’s great if you take your baby with you a lot. However, an umbrella stroller is less comfortable for baby because designers sacrifice some of the padding to make it portable and convenient to fold. If baby will be in the stroller for long periods, this type may not be the best choice.

Two-seat stroller. A two-se is great if you have twins or two babies of different ages who can be transported together. Some of these strollers have special features that make it easier to push two in a stroller, including some that are described for jogger strollers, below.

Jogger stroller. This stroller is built for heavy-duty use. Often it has a heavier frame, special shock absorbers and oversize or all-terrain tires that make it sturdy on any type of surface. Some jogger strollers have a unique design, with one tire in front and two in the rear, to make it more aerodynamic.

Combination stroller/car seat. The combination stroller/car seat connects the stroller to the baby’s car seat after it is removed from the car. This is convenient if baby is sleeping or if you’re moving from vehicle to vehicle (less stuff to take with you).

In addition, consider some other stroller features carefully. Removable padding that can be washed is a good choice, especially if you plan to keep the stroller for a long time or use it a great deal. {Accidents do happen!) A canopy is great if you take your baby outside a lot because you must be careful with baby’s sun exposure for the first year.

Check Safety Features Carefully Be sure the stroller meets the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) standards. To be certified by this organization, a stroller must meet the following specific safety guidelines.

• The stroller’s seat or safety belt fastens securely to the stroller, is easy to fasten and unfasten by you, and is designed so it does not allow baby to slide out the bottom. The best design features a “T-strap” that comes between the baby’s legs and fastens at the waist. Always use the safety strap when your baby is in the stroller.
• The stroller system (because it is foldable) locks securely when in use, and the brake is easy to set.
  Some strollers have a brake on one wheel; others have brakes on two wheels. The two-wheeled brake system is the more secure of the two options. Always set the brake when you stop for any length of time.
• If the stroller comes with a shopping basket or bag, it is located at the back of the stroller, preferably over the back wheels. Sometimes this feature is provided so you can carry a diaper bag, purse or packages. Never hang packages on the handles or place them on the top of the stroller (if it has a canopy)!

Nice-to-Have Features

Some strollers have additional features you might find useful.

• Safety mesh, to keep your baby from sliding out of the stroller.
• Height-adjustable handles, one-touch reclining and one-hand steering, to make moving and handling the stroller easier.
• Double tires on the front and rear wheels, to add durability and stability to the stroller.
• Canopies with plastic windows, to offer baby the opportunity to see what’s going on around him.

A Word of Caution

Never leave your baby alone in a stroller-it’s too easy for mishaps to occur. And when you’re
opening or closing the stroller, make sure baby is out of the way. His little fingers could be pinched in the process.

Always use the safety strap ! when your baby is in the stroller.

What’s Happening This Tenth Week?

A big accomplishment by this week—baby may be sleeping through the night. If he isn’t, don’t despair. He will soon. He can also hold his head up without support. His neck muscles grow stronger every day.

You may be concerned about how your baby is growing. The best indicator of how well he’s doing is how much he grows. If his growth is progressing normally, he’ll be gaining weight steadily, he will be growing in length and he will be starting to imitate your behavior and gaining control of his muscles.

You’ll also discover how much baby enjoys interacting with others. He’ll like meeting new people. But beware of overstimulating baby; it’s easy to do. Watch for signals from your baby that he wants to be left alone for a while we all need that sometimes, even babies! Signals that baby has had enough visiting for now include whimpering, looking away or closing his eyes. Quiet time, either alone by himself or with you rocking him or speaking softly to him, can help calm him.

Smoking around Baby

Studies show that smoking around a baby has many harmful effects on him. Secondary smoke contains more than 200 poisonous substances, which your baby breathes in any time you or someone else lights a cigarette near him. Now is the time to think about quitting or asking others in the home to quit if they haven’t already.

When your baby inhales secondary smoke, it increases his risk of developing many problems, including respiratory infections, middle-ear infections, asthma, breathing problems after being given general anesthesia, bronchitis and pneumonia. Secondhand smoke may also be a factor in SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). In addition, anyone smoking around the baby could accidentally burn him with a lit cigarette.

What to do. You can take several measures to protect your little one. If you or others can’t quit smoking, be sure no one smokes around your baby-not anywhere in the house. Smoking should be done outside. Never smoke in an enclosed space, such as a car, when you have baby with you. Avoid smoke-filled areas when possible, such as restaurants or places in public areas where people may smoke. Make sure that no one smokes around baby when he’s in child care.

When Baby Catches a Cold

What it is. The common cold is an upper-respiratory-tract infection (URI) caused by many viruses. A cold generally lasts a week or two but can occasionally persist longer. Colds are commonly spread through droplets in the air from others coughing or sneezing, or by person-to-person contact.

What to do. When your baby gets a cold, give him plenty of liquid to drink. Because it may be difficult for your baby to nurse or bottle-feed, encour frequent feedings. Drain hisi with a bulb syringe as neede especially before eating. By nature, babies are nose breatli and don’t breathe through til mouths. If he can’t breathe’ he can’t eat well. Nonprescrif saline nose drops can be usedl thin nasal secretions, which makes it easier to suction mucus.

Use a cool-mist humidifier to keep air moist. Run the humidifier in the room where your baby spends most of his time. Don’t let the mist spray directly over your infant or his crib. Bedding can becor damp and chill your baby.

Babies younger than 6 months of age are rarely given over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Don’t use them unless yourdocto tells you to do so. Ask your doctor if it’s OK to give your baby fever-reducing medication, such as baby acetaminophen or baby ibuprofen. Follow package instructions very carefully. Infants uncta 2 months of age should not be given medication unless specifica ordered by your pediatrician.

When to call the doctor. Contact the doctor if baby

• has difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly
• flares his nostrils with each breath
• wheezes
• has bad color, such as pale, ashen, gray or bluish-tinted skin
• is not eating well
• cries uncontrollably
• is listless
• has a fever that rises above101F/38.3C, or if fever persists
• tugs on his ears
• is not having wet diapers If your baby has some of the above symptoms, your pediatrician may want to see him to rule out something more serious. Your baby may be treated with antibiotics, if a secondary infection has occurred, such as an ear infection. Antibiotics don’t work on viruses, so don’t ask your pediatrician to prescribe one. Unnecessary antibiotics may be more harmful to your baby than the cold itself.

Fluoride Supplementation

Fluoride helps the development of baby’s healthy teeth. Discuss with your pediatrician your baby’s need for a fluoride supplement. Most pediatricians begin the supplement when a baby is about 6 months old. Correct dosage is based on the amount of fluoride in your water supply and whether your baby is receiving any of that water.

Your use of powdered formula, made with local water, compared to ready-to-use formula or breast milk, may determine when your baby will start supplementation. Too much fluoride can result in discolored or mottled teeth, so follow your pediatrician’s recommendation.

Signals that baby has had enough visiting for now include whimpering, looking away or closing his eyes.

What if I Have a Cold?

If you’ve got a cold or cough, it’s no cause for alarm. Nursing baby or cuddling with him won’t pass your cold on to him. Be sure to wash your hands often.

Toys and Play This Tenth Week

Looking Game

One simple game you can play with your baby is to sit him on your lap. Look into each other’s eyes; your baby may look away. Then you glance away; when baby looks back and sees you aren’t looking at him, he will make noise to draw your attention again. This is a fun game.

Reaching Game

This game involves holding a string of bright, colorful objects above baby’s head. He will reach out and try to grab it. Hold the objects just a little out of his grasp, to encourage him to stretch and reach. You’re also helping him develop eye-hand coordination with this game. Caution: Don’t tie anything, such as this string of objects, onto his crib or leave it where baby could become tangled in it.

Be Aware of Toy Hazards

It’s important to become more aware of potential toy hazards now that baby is getting a little older. Avoid toys that have small parts, such as eyes or noses that a baby might pull off a stuffed toy. Don’t let your baby have toys that are too small or that have small pieces to them.