Your 5-month-old's development: Week 2

Strong enough to feed herself

Your baby may be able to hold her own bottle now and it's fine to let her, but never prop the bottle for her and walk away. A propped bottle could cause your baby to overeat or even choke. Also, if your baby falls asleep while sucking on the bottle, milk or formula can pool in her mouth, coating her teeth with sugar, which can lead to tooth decay. Pooled milk can also drip into the tubes that connect the back of the throat with the middle part of the ear, leading to ear infections.

Your baby's probably showing more signs that she's ready for solids — from a weaker tongue-thrust reflex (when your baby pushes out her tongue when something is placed on it) to a keener interest in the foods you and others are eating. But don't be in a rush to give your baby solid food. Discuss when to introduce solid food with your baby's healthcare provider.

Your baby's digestive system may not be ready for solids, and she might not be able control her chewing and swallowing muscles. (Don't worry: That will all come in a few weeks.) Giving your baby solid foods too early can raise her risk of developing food allergies, too. Common allergies include citrus, egg whites, peanut butter, wheat, shellfish, and cow's milk.

Use family mealtime to socialize with your baby. She'll enjoy watching you eat, and she may even eat more herself as a result. In another month or so, she'll be better able to sit up by herself and grasp small objects, too, adding to her dinner table skills.

Sitting all alone

Your baby may now be able to get into a sitting position from lying on her stomach by pushing up on her arms. If she's sitting independently, stay nearby for support — even if you provide pillows to cushion a possible fall. Your baby may have mastered the sitting skill, but she still might lose interest in being upright and topple over.

Who's that?!

Your baby may start showing signs of one of her first major emotional milestones — stranger anxiety. She may become clingy and anxious around new (and even familiar!) people and may cry if a stranger suddenly approaches her.

Keep this in mind when you're around people she doesn't know, and try not to be embarrassed when she cries in someone else's arms — just take her back and calm her down by holding her yourself. Tell your friends and family to approach your little one with slow gentle movements.

A case of stranger anxiety doesn't mean you have to avoid new faces. Your baby will benefit from getting used to being around people other than you and your partner. Just remember that she needs your patience and understanding to get through this very important stage of development.

Eye see you

At all well-baby visits, your child's doctor should examine your baby's eyes, checking their structure and alignment, her ability to move them correctly, and for signs of congenital eye conditions or other problems. Find out what to expect from the examination and what to look for yourself.

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 5-month-old: Week 2

How your baby's growing:

Your baby may start showing signs of one of her first major emotional milestones — stranger anxiety. She may become clingy and anxious around new (and even familiar) people and may cry if a stranger suddenly approaches her.

Keep this in mind when you're around people she doesn't know, and try not to be embarrassed when she cries in someone else's arms — just take her back and calm her down by holding her yourself. Tell your friends and family to approach your little one with slow, gentle movements.

A case of stranger anxiety doesn't mean you have to avoid new faces. Your baby will benefit from being around people other than you and your partner. Just remember that she needs your patience and understanding to get through this very important stage of development.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 5-month-old's development.

Your life: Getting your baby used to other people

When you were pregnant, you may have worried about whether your baby would bond with you. And now you may find that the two of you are so tight, she howls with protest if anybody else comes near — even your partner. When your baby rejects everyone else, it can be hard on them, and it means more work for you. That's why getting used to other people is an important part of your baby's socialization.

A strong, lasting bond grows through regular day-to-day interactions, so encourage Dad or your partner to get involved in even the most basic baby care tasks, like changing diapers, bathing, and feeding. Have him carry the baby around when he's going about his day — and make time for play, as well. Keep your distance at first so your baby can't hear or smell you. One idea: Divide baby care chores so your partner handles the daily bath or the bedtime routine every evening.

Expose your baby to friends and family, too. Try holding your baby while the other person talks and plays with her. Then hand her over to the other person and stay close. Eventually, leave briefly and come back. Repeat this step, making the interval you're away longer and longer.

3 questions about: Constipation

How will I know if my baby's constipated?
There's no such thing as a normal number of bowel movements per day. When — and how often — your baby moves her bowels can depend on when and what she eats, her level of activity, and how rapidly her body digests food. Constipation occurs when stool backs up in the intestines, either delaying bowel movements or making them hard for your baby to pass. Your baby may be constipated if any of the following is the case:
• Her stools are hard and dry or have blood in them.
• Three or more days have passed since her last bowel movement.
• She shows persistent discomfort when moving her bowels.

What causes constipation?
If your baby is being fed only breast milk, constipation is rare. Talk to your baby's doctor if her stools are hard, dry, or painful: When combined with other symptoms such as vomiting or a swollen tummy, this could indicate a more serious condition like a blocked intestine.

If your baby takes only formula, the particular brand she's drinking may not agree with her. Ask your doctor about switching brands.

If you've introduced rice cereal to your baby's diet as a first step toward solid foods, the cereal could be the culprit — it's low in fiber. Try adding pureed fruits such as pears or prunes (not bananas, which are constipating) or vegetables to the cereal or switching to oat or barley cereal instead.

Constipation can also be caused by dehydration, so giving your baby more fluids can help. If your baby's already eating solid foods, try giving her some prune or pear juice. You can feed her 1 ounce of juice diluted with 1 ounce of water, or add the juice to her bottle of formula or pumped breast milk.

How can I help?
Aside from making changes to your baby's diet, here are a few more tricks for getting bowels back on track:
• Wiggle your baby's legs in a gentle pedaling motion while she's lying on her back.
• Gently but firmly massage her belly below her navel. If you feel a firm area, keep a steady pressure there for a few moments.
• If you see her straining to make a poop, place her in a warm-water bath to relax her muscles.
• Use a glycerin suppository or stimulate her rectum with a rectal thermometer lubricated with petroleum jelly as a temporary measure, but only with the doctor's approval. If the constipation doesn't respond to these interventions, the doctor may recommend a baby laxative.

source: babycenter