Week 9: Ninth Week of Your Baby
Week 9 - How Big Is Your Baby This Ninth Week?
Baby weighs 10-1/2 pounds and is 22 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Front Carriers
A soft carrier that you wear on your chest can comfort and entertain] baby. If she’s fussy or needs calming, face her toward your chest. She’ll feel secure, and this helps calm her. When she’s alert and active, face her out so she can see the world. She’ll enjoy seeing what you see.
Some carriers serve more than one purpose. Some can also be worn on the back. Others can be used as infant seats. These carriers can be used until baby weighs a little more than 20 pounds, although some models support higher weights. Check weight specifications when you are comparison shopping.
An added plus—because these carriers look so much like a backpack, men don’t usually mind wearing them. Carrying baby is aj great way for dad to interact with baby.
Should You Pierce Baby’s Ears?
Many mothers want to have baby’s ears pierced at an early age. Some doctors advise against the procedure, stating that during the first few months, baby’s immune system is not fully developed. Others believe that if a sterile technique is used to pierce the ears and other precautions are followed, it’s OK.
Caution. Some physicians advise against piercing the ears until at least two immunizations against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus have been given to your baby. This is usually done by the time your baby is 4 months old.
Take steps to prevent infection. Be sure the person who is piercing baby’s ears has experience piercing the ears of very young children. Use 14k gold posts to avoid allergic reactions. Some babies develop an allergy to the nickel in sterling silver or stainless-steel posts. Keep the area very clean after piercing (follow the technician’s instructions) to avoid infections. Strep or staph bacteria can get into an open wound, causing the earlobe to become red, swollen and sore. This type of infection is treated with antibiotics.
Choose earrings carefully. Once the ears are healed, your greatest concern will be the earrings themselves. It might be best to choose earrings that have a screw-on back so they have less chance of coming off. When baby starts playing with her ears, you don’t want her to put an earring in her mouth and choke on it.
Radiators and Forced-Air Heat
Safety first. When placing baby’s crib in her room or yours, keep it away from heaters or radiators, and out of the line of air flow from hot or cold air ducts. A baby who touches a hot radiator can get a bad burn.
Heated air affects baby. Her chances of getting a cold or other respiratory infection increase when she is exposed to heated air from air ducts. It dries out her nose and throat, increasing her chances of infection.
Car Essentials
When you travel with baby in the car, keep various items at hand— not for baby but for you, in case of a roadside emergency. Keep the following with you, if possible:
- cell phone or CB radio
- first-aid kit
- jumper cables
- flares or reflectors
- flashlight and batteries
- reflective clothing
- blankets and towels (a lightweight solar blanket is a good choice)
- water and basic foodstuffs
- fire extinguisher
- basic tool kit
- fiat-tire aerosol repair kit
You may never need these things, but having them available gives you an added sense of security.
Always carry extra baby basics when you go out, like pacifiers and burp cloths.
Milestones This Ninth Week
A child’s early experiences in life actually help her brain grow. Thatr why it’s so important to interact with baby as often as possible. It takes effort on your part, but the payoff is a happier, healthier baby.
Patterns Become More Established
Baby is settling into sleeping and feeding patterns now, She is more1 alert and responsive at certain times during the day. She may be sleeping as long as 7 hours at night.
She’s Attracted to Sounds
Your baby is becoming more attentive to various sounds, and she can locate a sound source with her eyes. She can pick out her mother’s voice from a group conversation. She listens intently and watches your eyes and mouth when you speak to her. She may enjoy listening to some sounds and may stop feeding to listen more closely.
Even though baby cannot speak, she always is listening to the sounds around her. The more words she hears before she speaks, the larger her vocabulary will be when she does start to speak. She is now cooing and gurgling. She makes vowel sounds, such as “ah” and “oh,” in response to what she sees and hears.
She’s Responding More Actively
Baby is more responsive, too. She smiles in reaction to someone smiling at her. She smiles for pleasure. There is more recognition in her eyes now. You’ll notice how she anticipates a feeding and starts sucking when she sees the breast or a bottle.
She discovers new objects every day. She likes patterns that are more complex now, with curved lines and shapes. She will study the interior pattern as well as the outer edge. She enjoys looking at hanging objects; one safe object is a hanging green plant. Baby still enjoys the human face. She’s especially interested in the area between the tip of the nose and the hairline.
Some Reflexes Begin to Fade
Baby’s reflexive actions are beginning to fade now, as they are replaced by voluntary movement. Her arm and leg motions are becoming less jerky and more rhythmical. She may be making creeping movements on her tummy. You may find that she scoots forward in her crib until her head touches the end. She may even roll from her back to her side or accidentally push from her tummy to her back.
Dad’s an Important Stimulant
Baby’s father represents a different kind of stimulation for baby than mother does. Playing together is important for both dad and baby because it helps establish a good relationship between them, Sometimes a father must be encouraged to play and interact with baby. Often a man doesn’t feel comfortable handling a small baby, but with patience and practice, he’ll soon be a pro!
She may be making creeping movements on her tummy.
Holding, rocking and stroking baby can affect baby in two ways. It helps calm her when she’s upset and it makes her more alert when she’s tired.
Baby is starting to smile back at you!
What’s Happening This Ninth Week?
Baby’s Crying Can Mean Many Things
Why is baby crying? A baby is born with very little patience; this is essential to her survival. A human baby is one of the most helpless creatures born. Everything she needs to survive—food, shelter, warmth—must be provided for her. Crying is the only way she has to communicate. Often when she cries, she is telling you sh needs something. You must take care of her needs. Sometimes, crying because she’s bored or tired. At other times, you have no id why she’s crying.
Coping strategies. Most of the time you’ll be able to discovery what she needs when she cries. But sometimes, you’ll be at a loss’ know what she needs. When that happens, try some of the follow!) coping strategies.
- Check for signs of an illness, such as a fever, warm, red ear or swollen gums. Call baby’s doctor if there are signs of illness.
- Put baby in a front carrier, and hold her close to your body. If you speak to her softly and calmly, she may settle down.
- If you are breastfeeding, evaluate your diet. Avoid foods that could cause her problems, such as onions, garlic, broccoli and cauliflower.
- Massage baby, using the techniques we have described in previous weekly discussions.
- If you are bottlefeeding, you may want to discuss the possibility of allergies to formula with baby’s doctor.
Baby’s Sleep Schedule
By now, your baby gets most of her sleep at night and has a reguld nap routine—probably several 1- to 1-1/2-hour naps a day. Typically,she’ll have her first nap about 2 hours after she gets up in the morning. Her midday nap may occur shortly after lunch and her afternoon nap between 3 and 4 P.M.
When baby’s sleep schedule becomes more regular, it makes things easier on you in some ways. You have an idea of when she’ll need to nap so you can make plans to go out or take a nap of your own! It’s harder in other ways, though, because when baby needs her sleep, she may get very fussy if she’s not put down for her nap.
Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)
What it is. Acute conjunctivitis, also called pinkeye, occurs for a variety of reasons. The causes are typically age-related. In a newborn, conjunctivitis can occur from infection during birth, most often from Chlamydia Trachomatis. In infants, recurrent conjunctivitis may be a sign of tear-duct obstruction. In older infants and children, the cause is usually a viral infection if a cold or a bacterial infection accompanies it. Not all irritation is caused by infection. Irritation may be allergy related or possibly caused by a foreign object.
Symptoms. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness and swelling of the eyelids and inflammation of the white part of the infant’s eyes, giving it a bloodshot appearance. Both eyes are usually infected with bacterial, viral and allergic conjunctivitis. Mucus or matter may also be present; it can range from thick yellow-green, to thin and watery. Eyelids may stick together upon awakening and may need to be washed to get them open. Your baby may also experience sensitivity to bright light. If only one eye is affected and accompanied by pain, a foreign body may be involved.
Highly contagious! Conjunctivitis is highly contagious. Wash hands carefully to prevent spreading the infection to other family members. Don’t use baby’s towels, washcloths, blankets or pillows with other family members.
What to do. Wash the outside of the baby’s eyelid with plain warm water and cotton balls. Clean the eyes by wiping from the inner part of the eye to the outside part to prevent spreading infection. Use a clean cotton ball for each eye.
When to call the doctor. Consult the doctor if your baby develops any of the following symptoms:
- a red, swollen eyelid with a lot of discharge
- a fever
- starts acting ill
- the symptoms of an ear infection are present
- doesn’t seem to improve after you begfi using drops or ointment
Your doctor may treat your baby with antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Symptoms should start to clear up within the first few days, although redness may persist a little longer. Note: Within the first hour of birth, all newborns are treated with a silver nitrate solution or an antibiotic ointment to prevent conjunctivitis.
Hives
What it is. Hives is an allergic reaction that produces a splotchy, red, raised rash that is irregular in shape. The affected area also itches. Hives can appear anywhere on the body, or it may be localized in one specific area. It may also come and go over a period of several days.
In infants, viral infections are the most likely cause of hives. Hiv may also occur as an allergic reaction to food, soaps or medications.
What to do. If your baby develops hives while taking a medication, don’t give her any more doses until you check with your pediatrician. Keep a journal of possible causes to avoid futur reactions. Dress baby in cool, loose-fitting clothing to minimize discomfort. Bathe your baby in lukewarm water to reduce itching.
When to call the doctor. Contact the doctor if your baby has any of the following problems.
- She develops hives while taking a medication.
- She experiences any difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Her joints appear to be sore.
- Her symptoms last longer than 1 week.
Your pediatrician may recommend giving your baby an antihistamine, such as benadryl, to reduce allergic reaction. In seve cases, epinephrine may be used.
Toys and Play This Ninth Week
You don’t have to buy a lot of toys for the baby to play with. Use many of the things you have at hand to engage her in play. Help her develop her grasp by wearing patterned scarves and ties while you’re interacting with baby. Let her reach and grab for the patterned piece as you play together. Measuring spoons securely fastened on a ring make a good rattle. Pictures cut from magazines can be fun to look at.
Choose Easy-to-Hold Toys
Toys that are easy for baby to hold are good choices at this age, such as blocks made of wood or plastic. Balls of various sizes are also good choices— just be sure they aren’t too small, to prevent choking. A small cloth doll can be held easily and may be comforting.
Encourage Her Muscle Development
Help baby’s muscle development with a beach ball. Inflate it until it is almost full, then hold baby on her tummy on top of the ball. Hold her securely as you gently rock her from side to side, and back and forth. Sing or play music as you roll her around on the ball.
Begin very slowly, and gradually increase the speed as she gets used to it. You’ll help her to develop her muscles as she uses her body to help maintain balance.