WEEK 14: Fourteenth Week of Your Baby
Week 14 – How Big is Your Baby this 14th Week?
Baby weighs 12-3/4 pounds and is 23-3/4 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Does Baby Need a Social Security Number?
Your baby needs a social security number, although most parents don’t think of it right away. You need one to claim him as a dependent on your income tax and to make your child eligible for benefits he may be entitled to in the future. You’ll need a social security number to open baby’s bank account, buy him a savings bond or apply for some government services. However, getting a social security number is voluntary,you won’t get one unless you ask.
The government has made it easy for you. No need to fill out special forms to apply for a number! Direct your hospital representative or doctor to have your state’s vital-statistics office share information from baby’s birth certificate with the Social Security Administration. This information is confidential. After the information is forwarded to the Social Security Administration, a card with baby’s number on it will be mailed to you. If you apply for a number when baby is born, you save yourself time and effort. You won’t have to visit the Social Security office in person, fill out forms or submit a birth certificate.
Follow Your Instincts when Dressing Baby
Has someone older than you told you your baby is cold, even though you dressed him in one more layer than you have on? The older generation tended to overdress babies ar overheat their homes when their children were little. It isn’t healthy to keep baby too warm. Fortunately, it’s easy to dress him properly for the weather. Dress baby depending on what; you’re comfortable wearing. One more layer than you are wearing! it’s cold, the same number of layers if it’s warm. In cold weather, ke baby’s hands, feet and head covered to preserve body heat. Don’t overheat your home—
72F (22.2C) is fine when baby is sleeping. According to some research, overheating a room maybe linked with SIDS.
A Few More Minutes with Your Doctor
In this first year, you’ll see your baby’s doctor at least five times for well-baby checkups—and probably more. You may find your office-visit time limited by your doctor’s busy schedule. You may feel there is never enough time to discuss all of your concerns. You can get the most from your next doctor’s appointment. In Week 15, we discuss specific ways to get the most out of a well-baby checkup. Below are some ideas for every office visit:
* At the time you make your appointment, ask if it’s possible to schedule a longer visit with your doctor. It may mean coming into the office early or late in the day, but if it’s important to you, it’s worth it.
* Prepare before you go. Think about your concerns, and write them down. You’ll save time, and you’ll be able to cover the topics you want. Limit your questions to these topics.
* Before you leave, be sure you understand the answers to your questions. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand something.
* If some of your questions can be answered by a nurse practitioner or someone else in the office, ask to speak with him. Get to know everyone on the office staff. They are available to answer your questions, too.
* Don’t bring other children with you when you go to the appointment.
Routine Is Important
Provide your baby with a predictable routine. A routine helps him anticipate events that occur regularly in his life. This in turn helps him develop skills of attention and memory. It’s time to put away baby’s infant mobiles.
Milestones This 14th Week
Baby Tracks Objects with His Eyes
Your baby follows objects with his eyes easily now. Earlier in infancy, he had trouble fixing both eyes on an image. Now he can lock his gaze onto an object moving several feet away from him. He watches people moving around him, and he gazes across the room. He sees in full color, and prefers red and blue.
His Strength Improves
His arm and leg movements are more controlled. He holds his head up when sitting. His grasping ability is much better, and he makes greater efforts to use it. It’s time to store the infant mobiles and bring out toys he can grab and hold. A crib gym encourages him to reach for and to hold an object.
Drooling
You may notice your baby begins drooling around this time. Some babies drool so much they are constantly wet around their neck and face. Some people attribute drooling to teething, but this!always the case. Some babies cut their first tooth this early, but don’t start teething until they’re at least 6 months old. If your drools profusely, put a bib on him. Read the discussion below rash that can develop with excessive drooling.
When Baby’s Tired
By now, you can probably teil when baby’s getting tired. Obvic signs are yawning, rubbing his face and eyes, avoiding interact with others, crying orfussiness. A very tired baby will regress in behavior to earlier kinds of reflexes and actions. He may suck his thumb, roll his head, cry or act unhappy and be hard to soothe. When you become aware of what these actions mean, you can remove him from a stimulating environment and let him rest on to sleep. Baby should sleep at 10 hours a night, napi 4-1/2 hours and be awad interaction and playtime! 9 hours each day.
Milestones This 14th Week
Physical Development
* focuses eyes at different distances
* holds head steady and erect for short periods
Senses and Reflexes
* clasps fingers and hands in play
Mental Development
* smiles and vocalizes more to an actual face than to an image
Social Development
* attempts to soothe self
* may prefer a particular toy
* can be quieted with music
Every baby is an individual, and your baby may do some of these things mo quickly or more slowly than another. If you are concerned about your baby’s| progress, discuss it with your healthcare provider.
What’s Happening This 14th Week?
Rashes from Drooling
Some babies drool a lot beginning about this time. Their neck and face area get wet and stay that way. Constant dampness and the irritation of wet skin against clothing can cause a rash. If your baby gets a rash like this, protect his face with petroleum jelly. Dry his face and apply the jelly. Dusting a little cornstarch on his neck can help protect that area. If the rash becomes severe or seems to cause baby major discomfort, consult your pediatrician for advice.
Constipation
A constipated baby has difficulty passing bowel movements, has infrequent bowel movements or sluggish bowel action. It occurs more often in older infants, when baby begins eating solids or with other dietary changes. The main symptom of the problem is baby’s difficulty passing dry, hard stools. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain, which decreases after a large bowel movement. Baby may go several days between bowel movements. You may notice stool is streaked with blood.
If your younger baby seems constipated, use a rectal thermometer lubricated with petroleum jelly to stimulate the passage of stools. Gently place the thermometer in the rectum, then remove it. If your baby is older and eating solids, offer fluid and diluted juice. Apple juice often has a laxative effect. Increase the fiber content of baby’s diet. Most cases of constipation go away in time if they are caused by a change in diet. Contact your pediatrician if the above measures don’t work. Call the office if baby’s constipation is accompanied by severe abdominal pain or vomiting. Do not
use medication to relieve constipation without consulting the doctor first.
You may be tempted to start baby on solid foods because you’ve heard solids help him sleep better. They don’t—just the opposite! If started too early, solids may cause gas and keep baby awake. If your baby is breastfeeding and goes a few days between bowel movements, this is not considered constipation. Your doctor may suggest an enema or a mild laxative for baby. If constipation becomes chronic or serious, testing may be ordered to determine the cause.
Measles
Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious virus that can occur at any age. Symptoms of measles include cough,runny nose, fever, fussiness and a rash of small red bumps that begins on the face and spreads downward to baby’s trunk, arms and legs. The rash is more severe at the beginning of the breakout, then becomes less intense as it spreads.
A vaccination to prevent measles was developed years ago in the United States, so cases of measles don’t occur often. However, measles must be considered if baby has not been vaccinated and he develops these symptoms. Isolate baby during the early stages of the disease. Give plenty of fluids and acetaminophen for fever and discomfort. Keep baby’s skin clean. Give warm, tepid baths to reduce the itching. Call your pediatrician. He probably will want to see baby to confirm the diagnosis. Prevent measles by vaccinating your baby. Once measles has been confirmed, call baby’s doctor if baby develops a high fever, becomes extremely irritable or if the rash becomes infected.
Toys and Play This 14th Week
Your baby probably needs practice grasping different objects with his hands. Offer toys that make noise, such as rattles. When he’s lying on his stomach on the floor, place several toys within his reach. Let him choose the ones he wants to reach for and to hold. Your baby’s hair may be changing in color and texture. His baby hair is being replaced with new hair. This process continues for the next few weeks.
Family Pictures
Make a display of family photos for baby to look at. He likes to at people’s faces, or pictures of them, especially people he kn Put enlarged photos on the wall or on a table where he can see them. Point to and name the people in the pictures as he loo! them. He may reach for the photos. Let him touch them. It hel recognize those around him.
Shake that Rattle!
Help baby develop his visual acuity and motor skills at the same time: Give him a toy that is easy to hold and makes noise. Out of his line of vision, shake his hand gently so the toy makes noise. Does he lift the toy into his line of vision to see what’s making the sound? If he doesn’t, raise his arm, and shake the toy again. Tell him what’s happening. Do this with both of his hands.
Horsie Ride
If you’re like most parents, you’ll soon become your baby’s “horsie” and will be for quite a long time. These games help your baby bond with you and improve his ability for social relationships. He also develops muscle coordination and balance.
Air Travel With Baby
Air travel is one of the best ways to make a long journey with a baby. With a little planning and preparation, the trip can be enjoyable for everyone. Plan ahead. These tips can help make your trip more enjoyable. Keep your trip short when possible. Book a nonstop flight. The faster the trip, the better.
• Allow extra time for everything. Time your arrival at the airport at least 30 minutes earlier than when you travel alone. You may need the extra time for checking baby’s car seat, for changing diapers or feeding him.
• When you make your reservation, get your seat assignments so the whole family can sit together.
• Check baggage at the curb.
• When possible, schedule your trip for baby’s naptime or bedtime. With luck, he’ll sleep through at least part of the trip.
• If you can travel during quieter times of the day, such as late night, you may find an empty seat next to you and you can spread out a little.
• Dress baby comfortably, in layers. Bring an extra blanket or two because planes tend to be chilly.
• Change baby just before you board the plane. If your trip is short, you may not have to change him again until after you land.
• If you have an umbrella stroller, take it with you. It’s easy to stow in the plane, and it’s helpful when you have to walk long distances in the airport. If you can’t take it on board, you can check it at the gate as you board the plane. You’ll get it back at the gate at your destination.
• If your baby is less than 3 months old, use a front carrier and keep your hands free. A backpack is a good choice with an older baby.
• Most airlines offer preboardin you have a small child. Use it! 1 have more time and room tot settled in your seats and to stow your gear.
• Although most airlines let a baby| free and sit in an adult’s lap until, age 2, consider buying him a ticket and securing him in the plane’s in his car seat.
• Offer baby a pacifier or a feeding” during take off and landing. This helps equalize pressure in his ear. • Carry extra of everything you normally have in your diaper bag. If you’re delayed anywhere, you’ll have the supplies you need.
When you make airline reservations, state clearly you are traveling with a baby. You might request the seat behind the bulk which provides more legroom. Bulkhead seats do have drawbacks. Armrests are fixed in place, so you can’t raise them to increase your space if no one else sits in your row. You also lose under-seat storage. When traveling with baby be prepared for any situation. Don’t assume the airline will provide anything to make trip easier or more comfortable. A window seat is a good choice because no one has to climb over you and baby to get in and out. If you have a seat for baby, place yourself between your baby and another passenger.
Taking off or landing in a plane can make your ears feel stuffy and may cause discomfort. The change in pressure affects the Eustachian tube, which doses temporarily. Fluids in the ear build up. You may lose some hearing temporarily. Chew gum, swallow often or suck on hard candy. Your baby experiences the same feelings in his ears. Help him clear his ears to relieve his discomfort. Feed him or offer him a pacifier to suck on during takeoff and landing. If baby is asleep when you’re preparing to land, wake him up and try to feed him.
Can a baby fly with a cold? It’s usually OK for a baby to fly if he has a cold, but air-pressure changes in the cabin can cause fluid buildup, and his risk of developing an ear infection increases. If baby is congested, ask your pediatrician if you should give him a decongestant the night before your trip. With an ear infection, baby should receive antibiotics at least 48 hours in advance of the trip. This should keep symptoms from getting worse during the flight. Acetaminophen for children can relieve discomfort. Ask your doctor about it.
Keep baby (and you) hydrated.
The cabin air in a plane is dry. Offer baby fluids to prevent dehydration. You should drink extra fluids, too. Use saline nose drops or nasal spray to help with the lack of humidity. Spray a little into each of baby’s nostrils about once an hour. Or let baby breathe through a damp washcloth held close to his nose. Note: Never place the washcloth over baby’s nostrils.
The Carry-on Bag
Most airlines limit passengers to two pieces of carry-on luggage. If you carry a purse, your other piece of luggage has to carry everything you’ll need for baby during your trip. Include the following:
* disposable diapers and baby wipes 1 diaper-rash ointment
* a small changing pad for your lap or other surface
* a few pacifiers
* at least two changes of baby clothes
* formula, bottles and nipples
* baby food (if baby’s eating it)
* burp cloths
* a favorite comfort toy
* a blanket
* at least 6 resealable plastic bags
* a frozen washcloth in a plastic bag, if your baby is teething