Your 4-month-old's development: Week 2

Eating less frequently

Your baby has a bigger tummy now, so she won't need to fill up as often. Four or five times a day will often do it, in fact, unless she's exclusively breastfed, in which case she'll still want to eat six to eight times a day.



Your baby may have doubled her birth weight by now, and she's still gaining, of course, despite her more mature eating schedule. (The content of your breast milk has also changed, with more fat and minerals to match your baby's nutritional needs.)



Don't expect maturity in her eating habits though: Your baby is easily distracted now, and feedings can become frustrating as she stops to watch a sibling or respond to an outside noise. You might try to minimize distractions by feeding her in a quiet, dimmed room.

Playing solo

By now, your baby can play with her hands and feet for a few minutes at a time. She's quite fond of doing one action over and over again until she's sure of the result. Then, she'll switch things up just a bit to see if the result is different.



Suddenly you realize it's strangely quiet in the bedroom and look in, only to discover that your baby, who so far has needed your attention for most of every waking moment, is amusing herself in her crib. You might be able to start reading the paper again — well, maybe just the headlines.

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 2

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby may play with her hands and feet for a few minutes at a time. She's quite fond of doing one action over and over again until she's sure of the result. Then she'll switch things up a bit to see if the result is different.

Suddenly you'll realize it's strangely quiet in the bedroom and look in, only to discover that your baby, who until now has needed your attention for most of every waking moment, is amusing herself in her crib. You might be able to start reading the paper again — well, maybe just the headlines.

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

Your life: Getting your partner involved

If you're the primary caregiver, it may feel like a reflex by now to step in whenever your baby starts crying. But it's a good idea to give your partner the chance to be the soother, too. Not only does this give you a break (which is huge!), it adds to his confidence level and provides bonding opportunities.

There are plenty of techniques you can encourage your partner to use, but it's also important to leave him room to experiment and learn on his own.

Remind your partner to assess the baby's needs (diapering, feeding, burping) and to fulfill those first. If crying continues, he can try to soothe the baby by holding her close, rubbing her back, or giving her some infant massage.

Many babies are comforted by gentle, rhythmic motion, which helps a parent feel like he's doing

Distraction is another popular method. He can try playing the entertainer with silly stunts, singing, and funny sounds and expressions.
something. Dancing, rocking, or swinging the baby may do the trick.

3 questions about: Pinkeye

What is pinkeye?
Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the eye that can be caused by a virus, a bacteria, or an allergen. The membrane covering the whites of your baby's eyes and the insides of his eyelids (called the conjunctiva) becomes irritated. As a result, his eyes may look watery, reddish, or crusty from dried eye discharge (which can be white, yellow, or green). They may even be stuck shut in the morning. One or both eyes can be affected.

What should I do if I think my baby has pinkeye?
Call your baby's doctor immediately. He'll need to examine your baby's eyes and will recommend specific treatment depending on the cause. It's also important to wash your hands often, especially before and after you examine your baby's eyes, to avoid spreading the infection. Pinkeye is pretty contagious, so beware of contracting it yourself. Keep your baby home from daycare and playgroups, and wash all bedding, washcloths, and towels frequently.

What's the treatment for pinkeye?
If the cause is bacteria (bacterial conjunctivitis), your baby's doctor will prescribe antibiotics, usually in the form of eyedrops or ointment. If the cause is a virus (usually the case when your baby also has cold symptoms), he may recommend diligent — but gentle — cleansing of the area with a warm washcloth and waiting it out for about a week. If the cause is an allergen, he'll work with you to identify the source, which you'll then need to eliminate from your baby's environment as soon as possible. Special eyedrops may also be recommended.

Sometimes a blocked tear duct causes crustiness and makes your baby's eyes vulnerable to infection. Depending on the nature of your baby's case, her doctor may suggest tear duct massage or lukewarm compresses to help unclog the duct. If the tear duct remains blocked, he may refer you to a pediatric eye doctor. In rare cases, outpatient surgery is needed for a duct that remains blocked for a long time.