WEEK 15: Fifteenth Week of Your Baby
How Big Is Your baby This 15th Week?
Baby weighs 13 pounds and is 24 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Does Baby Need Vitamin D?
Years ago, parents were advised to put a baby outside in the sunshine because the baby got vitamin D from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Today, we advise you to protect your baby from the harmful rays of the sun. Don’t worry about your baby getting enough vitamin D. He gets it from breast milk or enriched formula. As a rule, keep your baby out of the sun. Sunscreens and sunblocks can protect her delicate skin, but nothing protects better than no exposure at all. Do not use sunscreens and sunblocks on babies younger than 6 months of age.
Medication Guidelines
Be very careful when giving your baby any type of medicine. Medicine must be the correct type and given exactly as prescribed. Follow these guidelines when giving medications to your baby.
• When you give your baby liquid medication, use a measuring spoon, a plastic medicine spoon or an oral syringe. Don’t use tableware—these utensils aren’t accurate.
• Be sure the measurement unit on the device you use is the same unit of measurement you need.
• Give baby the correct amount of medicine. Don’t confuse tablespoon (T. or tbsp.) with teaspoon (t.or tsp.).
• Store medication for each family member on a separate shelf in a safe place, out of a child’s reach.
• Don’t keep medicine in a bathroom cabinet. Steam and moisture can affect its potency.
• Tape a note on each prescription stating the dosage schedule.
• Be sure you have the correct medication. Double check the label.
• Never guess at the amount of medicine to give. Double check the dosage amount.
• Don’t make conversions. If directions call for 2 teaspoons, don’t try to convert it to ounces.
• If your baby is prescribed more than one medication, be sure they are OK to take together. Consult your physician or pharmacist.
• Don’t keep old medications; get rid of them.
• Use clean droppers and spoons. Rinse them between use, then air dry. When you have finished giving a medication, wash these utensils in warm, soapy water. Store in an airtight plastic container or sealed plastic bag. Don’t wash them in the dishwasher. The openings are too small to be cleaned properly. Soap residue might not be washed out.
• Don’t give medicine to anyone other than the person it is prescribed for.
If you use a spoon out of your silverware drawer to give baby medication, the dose may be incorrect. If your “teaspoon” is off by even 1ml (O.0338 fluid ounce), you could be giving him 20% more or less the medication that he needs. Use proper measuring devices when giving baby medicine every time.
Well-Baby Checkups
•Ask the doctor to describe the procedures he performs on your baby, the reasons for them and what the results may indicate. This approach gives you a way to ask questions during the procedure. You may forget questions if you wait until the end of the appointment.
•If tests are performed, ask about the results. When will they be available? Do you have to call the office for them? When would other tests be indicated? When would further treatment be indicated?
•Ask questions about nonmedical issues such as emotional development, discipline, learning and socialization of your baby.
•Request printed material that might be useful. Doctors’ offices offer pamphlets, booklets and other handouts. These can reinforce information your doctor may have told you, especially when you’ve discussed many topics with your physician at one appointment.
•Ask if a nurse, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant can help you with questions and problems. These professionals often are more readily available to help you than the doctor.
•See if your pediatrician has a recommended reading list. He may have suggestions for a book that will help you with a particular situation.
Helping Baby Relax
When a baby feels relaxed, she falls asleep more quickly. These suggestions help set the mood for baby.
•A warm bath. Some babies like to be in the water. Others like the sound of running water and the steam that hot water produces. Try bathing your baby when she’s fussy. If that doesn’t work, put her in a safe place in the bathroom while you take a shower.
•Noise. White noise is often helpful for calming baby. Run the clothes dryer or the vacuum cleaner. Be careful with very loud sounds. They could distress baby.
•Music. Try different types of music with your baby. Some babies like lullabies. Others prefer classical music. Some are calmed by music with a strong beat.
•Motion. Riding in a car, walking, bouncing or rocking can all work.
•Her own bed. Put your baby to bed at the first signs of fatigue. She may relax more easily.
Infant Carrier Seats
Lots of parents use their baby’s car seat as an infant carrier seat. It’s convenient and it saves money because you don’t have to buy a second piece of baby transport equipment. Other parents use an infant carrier seat, a different piece of equipment, in the house or on errands and leave the infant car seat in the car. It’s easier than hooking and unhooking the baby’s car seat every time they get into or leave the car.
If you choose to use an infant carrier seat, be aware of certain safety issues. The three greatest safety concerns are:
• a baby becoming entangled in restraining straps
• a carrier seat falling over on a soft surface resulting in suffocation
• an unrestrained baby falling out of a carrier
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has made recommendations for parents to follow to ensure baby’s safety in infant carriers. By following them, you will help prevent injury to your baby. When you put your baby in an infant carrier, maintain your vigilance. You may believe he’s out of harm’s way just because he is strapped into a carrier. However, it’s your care that keeps her safe.
• Make sure the carrier you select has a wide and sturdy base.
• Never leave baby alone in an infant seat when it is not placed on the floor. In fact, you should never be farther away than arm’s reach when baby is in an infant carrier.
• Place an infant carrier only on a hard surface. Keep it off upholstered furniture and beds.
• Use safety straps and belts when baby is in the carrier.
• Keep an eye on your baby when he’s in his infant carrier. Keep her away from pets and out of drafts. Place him where he can’t be hurt.
• Be careful when carrying baby in an infant seat. Avoid bumping the carrier into walls and other objects.
• Never use an infant seat as a car seat.
Milestones This 15th Week
When Baby Is Happy
Your baby is learning something new all the time. When she’s excited about something, she may jerk her arms and legs crazily to demonstrate her joy. She’s not in total control of her body yet, so her actions appear spastic and jerky. When baby is unhappy, soothe her by holding and talking to her. Sometimes your presence is all she needs to calm down. This is a sign of her increasing trust in you.
His Legs and Feet Strengthen
Baby loves to kick his legs and feet now. You may notice him hold up his legs, flex his feet and make bicycling motions in the air. He may be able to touch his knees with his hands. He delights in splashing in the bathtub. These practices help develop the strength he needs in the coming months to support his weight. Evidence he’s preparing to begin the rudiments of creeping and crawling can be seen in his “swimming” motions. He may lie on his tummy, hold his head up and kick and move his legs and arms at the same time.
He May Partially Roll Over
A big accomplishment around this time is baby’s ability to roll himself over partially. He may roll from back to front, or front to back. He’ll probably master rolling in one direction in the next few weeks. Then he’ll concentrate on rolling the other way. At this time, he probably can’t make it all the way over, but he’ll soon accomplish that feat.
Baby Pleasures
Your baby may enjoy being rocked and bounced. Receptors in his brain make this activity pleasurable. Whirl him securely in your arms. He may enjoy his swing now more than ever because of its back-and-forth motion. He likes to look at bright colors and is less interested in black and white. He recognizes family members and may become more attached to individuals, especially his mother. In the next few weeks, he may become attached to something soft or cuddly as a security object. Babies love to look at faces, especially other babies’. Don’t be surprised if your baby stares at another baby, then reaches out to push and poke him.
Milestones This 15th Week
Changes in Baby You May See Now
Physical Development
* turns head in all directions
Senses and Reflexes
* splashes and plays in bath
Mental Development
* has memory span of up to 7 seconds
Social Development
* interested in mirror image, may smile at it
* adjusts responses to different people
She Makes an Assortment of Noises
Your baby may spend a lot of time making noises. You may hear him pant, grunt, groan, coo, babble and shriek. He
listens to himself. You may hear him making “ba, da, ga, pa” sounds. These sounds express his wants and needs with less
crying. He vocalizes to an actual person than to a picture of a person. He loves to laugh and to play with people.
Every baby is an individual, and your baby may do some of these things more quickly or more slowly than another. If you
are concerned about your baby’s progress, discuss it with your health provider.
What’s Happening This 15th Week?
Sitting Pretty
By this time, your baby may be sitting very well when he’s propped up. To help him practice, sit cross-legged on the floor. Place him in your lap facing outward. Your stomach and legs provide support for his back. He’ll enjoy being close to you while he increases strength’ in the muscles he’ll use to sit up on his own.
Eyes Changing Color
Your baby’s eyes may have changed color by this time, if they are going to. Blue eyes may start to darken. If they’re still blue by age 6 months, they’ll remain that color. Babies of color are usually born with brown or dark-colored eyes. If eyes are light brown, they may darken gradually.
Make His Car Seat Experience More Interesting
Your baby is still facing the rear when he’s riding in his car seat and will continue to until he turns 1. But it bores him. He’ll be happier if you add some interesting things for him to look at and to do while he’s in the car. Dangle a toy at a safe distance in front of his car seat. This encourages him to reach forward and bring his hands together. An activity bar on the car seat can engage him, too. As he gets older, rattles, other toys and books will keep him entertained. For your peace of mind, a mirror that attaches to the rear window can provide you with a view of him while you’re driving. You can check on him quickly without stopping the car.
Cat-Scratch Disease and Cat-Scratch Fever
What it is. Cat-scratch disease is an infection transmitted by the bite or scratch from a cat. An abscess forms at the site, followed by swelling in the lymph nodes within 2 weeks. The lymph nodes may feel hard and are usually tender. Fatigue and fever may be present. Cat-scratch disease is benign and goes away without special treatment. A few days after a minor scratch, a pustule develops at the site. Fever, a general feeling of ill health and headache are seen with this problem.
What to do. The best way to avoid the problem is to keep baby away from cats. If he does get scratched, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water. Apply a topical antibiotic to the scratch to deal with any infection. You can give acetaminophen for fever and discomfort, if baby’s doctor OKs it.
When to call the doctor. Contact the doctor if your baby develops a high fever or experiences severe pain or extreme irritability. If lymph nodes get larger or if there is redness of skin above and around the lymph nodes, contact your pediatrician. Lymph nodes can be found under the arms, on the sides of the neck and in the groin. In severe cases, lymph nodes may be aspirated to relieve the pain. Antibiotics may also be given.
Kidney Problems
What they are. The most common problem you may see is a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). In general, kidney problems can include kidney stones, polycystic kidneys (kidneys have small cysts or collections of fluid) or kidney injury. These are significant medical problems and require a doctor’s care. Fortunately, they are unusual in newborns and young infants.
Symptoms of a kidney infection include
• blood in urine
• irritability
• decrease or very
• itching low amount of urine
• nausea
• bruising of the body
• vomiting
• seizures
• lethargy or stupor
When to call the doctor. You can do nothing for kidney problems at home. If you think your baby has a kidney problem, contact your pediatrician. Kidney abnormalities can indicate other problems. Treatment is determined by the underlying cause.
Pyloric Stenosis
What it is. The pyloric muscle pushes the food from baby’s stomach into her small intestine. Pyloric stenosis occurs when baby’s pyloric muscle begins to swell and grow. If the muscle increases in size, food will be vomited because it cannot pass into the intestine to be digested. This vomit is different from spit-up because the entire contents of baby’s stomach are emptied in one intense motion.
What to do. Tests usually determine the cause of the problem. It is fairly common and occurs more often in boys. The condition is easy to correct with minor surgery. If left uncorrected, a baby can become malnourished and dehydrated and may even suffer developmental delay.
Toys and Play This 15th Week
It’s tempting to buy your little baby all sorts of toys to delight him, but play it safe. Choose age-appropriate toys. Don’t buy him a toy if the box suggests it is best for babies “12 to 18 months.” He won’t enjoy it for some time. Don’t provide toys with small, detachable parts, long strings or sharp edges. Check toys periodically to be sure they’re still safe for play and haven’t developed wear-and-tear spots.
Here Comes the Bumblebee!
A surprise tickle game is lots of fun for baby. Babies usually love “Here Comes the Bumblebee!” Lift one hand high above baby. While slowly spiraling your hand downward toward baby, sing “Here comes the bumblebee, the bumblebee, the bumblebee. Here comes the bumblebee, and he’s going to get (baby’s name).” When you sing baby’s name, tickle him lightly in the ribs or tummy. As he gets older, this game demonstrates his memory skills and his ability to anticipate events. He’ll start giggling and wiggling when he knows the bumblebee is going to “get” him.