Your 5-week-old's development

Head's up!

Your baby's neck muscles are getting stronger, which allows her to hold her head up for short periods. She can support it for a few moments while lying on her stomach, for example, and she can probably turn it from side to side. She may be able to hold her head up when she's in a car seat or front carrier.

The first real smiles

Smiling happens at about the same time in all cultures, so get ready for your baby to reward all your loving care with a beaming, toothless, just-for-you smile. This will probably make your heart melt, even if you've just had your worst night yet.



For Ron Heckman, a new father in Piedmont, California, that first smile from his 6-week-old daughter, Hadley, brought tears to his eyes. "It was a lousy day at work," he recalls. "I was sleep-deprived and the commute traffic that day was incredibly thick. When I finally got home and my wife handed me the baby, who looked straight at me and smiled this gorgeous all-gums grin, I remember thinking, 'She knows me' — and nothing else mattered."

Sound asleep

Your baby may start sleeping longer at night (maybe four to six hours) sometime between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. It's a broad range, and much depends on your baby's development and your behavior.



Most sleep experts suggest putting your baby to bed while she's still awake, but drowsy. This will help her learn to fall asleep on her own, a skill that will come in handy for you both when she wakes in the wee hours of the night. You can help your baby reach that milestone sooner rather than later by establishing healthy sleep habits from the start, such as a bedtime routine with a calming bath, a baby massage, or a bedtime story.

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-week-old

How your baby's growing:



Smiling is universal. A baby's first smile happens at about the same time in all cultures, so get ready for your baby to reward all your loving care with a beaming, toothless, just-for-you grin. This will probably make your heart melt, even if you've just had your worst night yet.



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

Your life: The postpartum checkup

Soon you'll have the last of the series of checkups that began with your first prenatal trip to your doctor or midwife. Your care provider will want to be sure you're doing fine — emotionally as well as physically — following the stresses of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and becoming a new parent.



During the pelvic exam, your doctor or midwife will want to see that any tears, scratches, or bruises to your vagina or cervix have healed. If your cervix is healed, you may also have a Pap smear. She'll examine your perineum if you had an episiotomy or tearing. She'll also feel your belly to be sure that there's no tenderness, and if you had a c-section she'll inspect your scar to see how it's healing.



Your breasts will be checked as well. If you're breastfeeding, your caregiver will examine you to find out whether you have any clogged ducts, which could lead to an infection like mastitis. If you aren't nursing, she'll want to be sure there are no hard or sore areas that might indicate an infection. She'll also want to see if your milk is drying up.



You'll probably be told it's fine to begin having sex again, although many new moms don't feel their sex drive or energy kick in for a few more weeks or even months. Regardless of your interest level, you ought to discuss postpartum birth control, because it's possible to get pregnant before you've gotten your period back and even if you're breastfeeding.



Your caregiver will also be concerned about your emotional health. As many as 4 out of 5 new moms become mildly depressed, commonly called the baby blues. However, if these down feelings last more than two weeks, you may have postpartum depression, a more serious condition. Your doctor or midwife can recommend interventions that really help, such as a therapist who sees lots of moms like you or an antidepressant that's safe to take when nursing.

3 questions about: Working with your child's doctor

How often will my baby see a doctor?

Most pediatricians and family physicians like to see newborns for well-baby checkups once or twice in the first ten days of life and then at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. If your baby has any medical problems or difficulty gaining weight, your doctor may want to see your baby more often.



How can I get the most out of these well-baby checkups?

Doctors are busy, and it's likely that the checkup will fly by and that you'll be distracted by your baby at the visit, so come prepared with our doctor visit worksheets. Jot down in advance any questions you may have. Keep a notebook and pen in a handy place at home, and bring it to appointments so you can write down information like your baby's weight, length, and vaccinations, as well as any advice or instructions the doctor provides. If you forget to ask something during the appointment, don't worry. You can always call the doctor between appointments and have your question answered by phone.



You're the expert on your baby — and the doctor is the expert on baby care and health — so good communication is key. If you disagree with your doctor's advice or feel your comments are being dismissed, speak up. It may be that you've misunderstood one another. Most doctors appreciate your honesty and want their interaction with you and your baby to be rewarding and informative. If you find that you have serious disagreements, you may want to find another doctor with whom you feel more comfortable. Ask friends for referrals.



What if I need to talk to the doctor after hours?

Be sure you know what the routine is in your doctor's practice. Most physicians have a system for responding to questions and concerns — usually either a message service you can call to leave your name and number, or a nurse advice line that you can reach after hours. Also find out how emergencies are handled in the practice and which local emergency rooms and after-hours clinics you can access. The most important thing to remember about seeking your doctor's advice is that there are no stupid questions when it comes to your baby's health.

source : babycenter