Your 4-month-old's development: Week 4

Sitting pretty

By now, your baby's physical developments are coming fast and furious. When lying on her back, she'll lift her head and shoulders as you reach to pull her up. If you place her on her stomach, she'll extend her arms and legs and arch her back. This is good exercise for strengthening her neck muscles, and it will help her develop the head control necessary for sitting up.

When you pulled your baby into a sitting position a few weeks back, her head lagged behind her arms and shoulders. Now, she can anticipate the direction you're pulling her, and her head will follow right along with the rest of her body. What's more, her spine is straightening, allowing her to sit unsupported, which frees her hands for exploring, and she can pivot to reach a desired object.

Once her back and neck muscles are strong enough to hold her upright and she's figured out where to put her legs so she won't topple over, it's just a matter of time until she moves on to proper crawling, standing, and walking. Until she can get into a sitting position without your help, you can prop her in the corner of your sofa or on your legs to steady her.

Ba ba ba ba ba ba . . .

Your baby is adding new sounds to her language repertoire, and she may sound like a broken record. Babies this age often become so enthralled by a newfound ability that they get stuck on it for a while. This is normal — babies tend to master one skill before moving to the next.

Hearing the same sound over and over can get annoying, but practicing patience now will prepare you for the endless string of "nos" and "whys" you'll be hearing from your child soon enough.

Your baby may also watch your mouth intently when you speak and try to imitate inflections and utter consonant sounds such as "m" and "b."

Peaceful goodnights

Following a well-established nighttime routine, which might include a bath or a bedtime story, for example, may help settle your baby to sleep. It's a good idea to consistently "sequence" your baby toward slumber: Feed her, give her a bath, put her in her pajamas, play a game, read her a book, sing songs or play some music, then put her down.

A beloved routine gives you and your baby plenty of time to connect and wind down. You may decide to alternate going-to-bed activities with your partner (you do the bath, he reads the story, and so on). Or, to give both of you a regular break, try taking turns, with one person responsible for putting your baby to bed each night.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.



source: babycenter

Your 4-month-old: Week 4

How your baby's growing:

Following a well-established nighttime routine, which might include a bath or a bedtime story, may help settle your baby to sleep. It's a good idea to consistently "sequence" your baby toward slumber, as in this example: Feed her, give her a bath, put her in pajamas, read her a book, sing a lullaby or play some music, and then put her down.

A beloved routine gives you and your baby plenty of time to connect and wind down. You may decide to alternate going-to-bed activities with your partner (you do the bath, he reads the story, and so on). Or, to give both of you a regular break, try taking turns, with one person responsible for putting your baby to bed each night.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 4-month-old's development.

Your life: Taking care of you

After the intensity of adjusting to life with a new baby, many parents reach a point where they find they're like ostriches lifting their heads out of the sand to discover a wider world — the one they took leave of, temporarily, after the birth. The repetitiveness and endlessness of baby care can also be very different from the pace of work, especially if you're used to a goal-oriented job or lots of adult interaction.

Six ways to restore a little balance:

1. Join a parenting group. Look for a group that fosters your interests and offers lots of support through activities and resources. Check the listings in your local paper or at your library, your place of worship, or the doctor's office for meeting announcements. There are groups for breastfeeding moms, parents of color, working parents, book-reading parents, stay-at-home parents, and so on — or you might find (or start!) an ad hoc neighborhood group.

2. Go online. Keep in touch with friends or family by e-mail, network with other parents at sites like BabyCenter, or just check in on "the outside world" at news sites. Read parenting blogs

3. Spend some time by yourself. Make sure you get a real break — a chance to relax, focus on yourself, and get inspired — at least once a week. Ideally, find half an hour just for you each day, maybe at nap time.

4. Read. Keep a book or magazine handy for those times when your baby naps. Even if it's just reading a few pages a day, you can "escape" to a world of fiction or learn something new.

5. Start a blog or a diary. Whether you choose to make your observations public or keep them private is up to you — simply recording them is a time-honored way to preserve your sanity. You can keep an online journal on BabyCenter.

6. Have an adult conversation. Whether it's over the phone or in person, chatting with a friend, relative, or your partner can re-energize you.
— it can be reassuring to see how similar other peoples' problems are to your own.

3 questions about: Shaken baby syndrome

What is shaken baby syndrome?
Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a serious type of brain injury that occurs when someone shakes a baby severely, causing the baby's brain to move inside her skull. Babies are especially vulnerable to injury because their neck muscles aren't strong enough to support their relatively large, heavy head. This form of abuse can cause serious injuries, including blindness, eye damage, developmental delays, seizures, paralysis, and permanent brain damage. It can even be fatal.

Can SBS be caused by roughhousing?
In theory that's possible, but it would have to be pretty rough play. The ordinary kind of jiggling, patting, and tickling that a loving parent does when interacting with a baby doesn't cause shaken baby syndrome. Nor do swings, vibrating bouncy seats, or being driven over rough roads. The kind of abuse that leads to SBS is deliberate and violent. It's usually caused by someone who loses control when caring for a baby.

What should I do if I know or suspect that my baby has been dangerously shaken?
A shaken baby may appear colicky or overly sleepy, may vomit or appear to have a feeding problem, may have labored breathing, or may be irritable and fussy. If you suspect SBS and any of these signs are present, call your baby's doctor or take your baby to the emergency room immediately. Your baby's condition may get worse and any brain damage may become permanent without prompt medical treatment. Be clear and honest so that the most accurate diagnosis can be made and the best treatment given. Caring for a baby can be taxing and frustrating. Every caregiver should learn healthy, safe ways to deal with exasperation and anger, including deep breathing, taking time out for yourself, and seeking support from friends, family, your doctor, or your baby's doctor. If you find yourself getting frustrated, place your baby in a safe place such as a crib, leave the room, and let your baby cry alone while you call someone close for support.

source: babycenter