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.
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
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