Your 4-month-old: Week 1

How your baby's growing:

Researchers believe that your baby can now understand all the basic sounds that make up his native language. Between this time and 6 months of age, he'll develop the ability to make some of these sounds, which means you may hear the words you've been dreaming about, namely "mama" and "dada." While child development experts say it's too early for your baby to connect those sounds with you, that won't make hearing them any less exciting.

You can encourage your baby's attempts at communication by mirroring or imitating his expressions and sounds. He may try to imitate you, too. Say "ba" and he may try to say it back.

Reacting when your baby makes noises or tries to say something will help him learn the importance of language and better understand cause and effect. It's great for his self-esteem, too: He'll begin to realize that what he says makes a difference.

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

Your life: Getting back to exercising

Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, your body's ready to exercise. Even now, though, your joints and ligaments may still be loose from the effects of pregnancy, so go easy at first, perhaps with a low-impact exercise class.

If you're nursing, don't worry — exercise won't affect your ability to breastfeed or the composition of your breast milk. For your own comfort, though, you might want to pump or feed your baby before high-impact activities such as running, and wear a bra that provides plenty of support.

You can also involve your baby in your new workout routine. Put him in a stroller or baby carrier when you go for a walk, or in a baby seat or crib so he can watch you riding a stationary bike. You may want to look for a gym that has a nursery so you can work out while your baby's supervised close by.

Find ways to fit exercise around your busy life. Consider workout DVDs you can use when your baby is quiet or sleeping. If you drive to work, park a little farther from the office and squeeze in some walking, or look into a lunch-hour program at a nearby gym. If you pick something that's simple and convenient, you'll be more likely to stick with it.

Don't be too hard on yourself, though. While it's healthy to care about your body, getting in shape takes time. You'll undo all the great mental benefits of exercise if you stress too much about your appearance. Your body did an amazing thing when it created your baby — give it some credit, too!

3 questions about: Ear infections

What's an ear infection?
An ear infection — also known as acute otitis media — happens when viruses or bacteria and fluid become trapped behind your baby's eardrum. The resulting infection causes swelling, pain, and usually a fever. Ear infections are very common — more than half of infants will have at least one by their first birthday.

What are the symptoms?
• Apparent lack of hunger: Ear infections can make chewing and swallowing painful.
• Tugging persistently at an ear (although sometimes babies do this for no reason at all).
• Fever, which can range from 100 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
• A sudden change in mood, particularly following a cold. Pressure in the ear can hurt, especially when a baby's lying down (such as when he's eating or being put to bed), making him irritable.
• Ear drainage, which may be yellow, white, or even slightly bloody.
• Diarrhea: Ear infections are often caused by a virus that also affects the digestive system.

How is an ear infection treated?
Surprisingly, ear infections usually go away on their own, given enough time. However, many doctors will prescribe an antibiotic to avoid a worsening ear infection and to give the baby comfort sooner. Your baby's doctor may also recommend infant acetaminophen to relieve the pain and fever, which usually fade within two days of starting the medicine.

To prevent frequent ear infections:
• Keep your baby away from tobacco smoke, which can weaken the immune system.
• Continue breastfeeding if you're already doing so. Studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to have ear infections.
• Be sure your baby has had all his vaccinations, particularly his pneumococcal and flu shots, which have been shown to reduce the incidence of ear infections.
• Minimize your baby's use of a pacifier, since some studies suggest that using one may lead to more ear infections.
• If your baby attends a large daycare center, consider switching to one with fewer children. This will reduce his exposure to the cold germs that can trigger ear infections.

source: babycenter

Your 3-month-old's development: Week 4

A new talent for rolling over

When placed on her stomach, your baby will lift her head and shoulders high, using her arms for support. This mini push-up helps strengthen her muscles and gives her a better view of what's going on. She may even amaze you (and herself!) by rolling from her back to her front, or vice versa.



You can encourage this skill through play: Wiggle a toy next to the side she customarily rolls to in case she's interested enough to try again. Applaud her efforts and smile. She may need your reassurance since her new skill can be frightening.

Getting more selective about people

By now, your baby may respond to your presence, your voice, and even your facial expressions by kicking and waving her arms. Your baby, who up to this point probably smiled at everyone she met, is also beginning to be picky about the company she keeps.



In large groups or with unfamiliar people, your baby may need time to get comfortable. Allow for transition time with strangers or when leaving her with a sitter.



When she's safely in your arms, though, she's likely to be interested in interacting with other people — especially noisy, boisterous children because they're more active, more amusing to a baby, and physically less imposing.

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 3-month-old: Week 4

How your baby's growing:

When placed on her stomach, your baby will probably lift her head and shoulders high, using her arms for support. This mini push-up helps strengthen her muscles and gives her a better view of what's going on. She may even amaze you (and herself!) by rolling from her back to her front, or vice versa.



You can encourage this rolling skill through play: Wiggle a toy next to the side she customarily rolls to in case she's interested enough to try again. Applaud her efforts and smile. She may need your reassurance, as this new skill can be a little frightening.



• Learn more fascinating facts about your 3-month-old's development.

Your life: Leaving your baby

It's normal to feel pangs of anxiety even when leaving your baby with your parents or a trusted babysitter. Feeling a bit nervous about separation from your little one is a sign that you're concerned and caring.



That said, it's not a good idea to consistently give in to your worries. The need to keep your baby safe with you should be weighed against other realities, such as your mental health (taking breaks from your baby can be good for both of you), your need to bring in income through work, and your baby's need, over time, to learn to get along with others. A babysitter can be both necessary and valuable.



If you've never hired a babysitter, ask for references from other parents you trust. Once you've found someone, ask her over and have her sit with your baby while you do household chores. That way you can observe how she interacts with your child. Limit your first trips away from the house to quick shopping errands. When you leave the house, try not to let your apprehensiveness show. If you seem nervous, your baby may pick up on that, making separation harder for both of you.

3 questions about: Chubby babies

What if my baby looks fat?

Obesity has become the health buzzword of the day. While it's unhealthy for anyone to carry too much fat, your baby's doctor is unlikely to be very worried if your baby is chubby. Some babies are born plump, others grow that way — but not because they have an unhealthy diet and don't exercise. It's because they haven't developed much muscle yet. This kind of baby fat isn't likely to stay with your child as she grows.



Should my baby go on a diet?

No. First, your baby's doctor will check to see whether your baby's weight and height are within the guidelines for her age. If she's too heavy, it's likely your doctor will simply watch to see how she grows. It's pretty rare for a doctor to be very concerned at this age, especially before solids have been added to a baby's diet.



Does this mean my baby will always have weight trouble?

No. A plump baby does not foreshadow an overweight teenager or adult. Many big babies slim down once they begin crawling and walking. They simply store their baby fat differently. As your baby grows, you can keep her fit and healthy by encouraging floor play. Feed her only when she's hungry, and avoid using a bottle to calm her when she's upset or stressed. Instead, offer her a toy or love and kisses.

source: babycenter

Your 3-month-old's development: Week 3

Nodding off

At last, your baby's sleep patterns may start to settle down, giving you some rest. Many 4-month-olds sleep for a six-hour stretch through the night, though others still wake for an occasional feeding. Some babies take until age 6 months or later to sleep through the night, though, so don't get your hopes up! Two daytime naps are usual now.

Beginning to interact with others

Your baby's starting to draw conclusions about the world around him. He's looking at everything with curiosity, even his own reflection.



Prop an unbreakable mirror next to him or sit him in front of your mirror when you're getting ready. Your baby won't realize that it's actually his image in the mirror (this usually begins to happen well into the second year), but that doesn't matter. He'll love to stare at his — or anyone else's — reflection, and he may show his delight by an all-out gum grin.



Your baby may stop sucking his thumb or bottle to listen to your voice. By cooing or making noises at him, and by describing even the most mundane household chore, you're not only connecting with him but also encouraging him to express himself. Wait and see if he "answers."



Your baby is becoming more animated and engaging (even with others) — flashing smiles, oohing, and cooing. And the fun has really begun as he's starting to laugh.



When you're with friends, keep your baby nearby so he can hear the richness of human interaction. He'll enjoy watching the antics of other babies, toddlers, and pets, but keep up your guard: Neither he nor they know the rules of safe engagement just yet.

Grab and go

Anything within your baby's reach is fair game now. While he's mastering his grabbing skills, give your baby interesting things to hold: lightweight rattles that are easy to grasp, a plastic or rubber ring to hold with both hands, squeaking toys, or soft stuffed animals.



Your baby will start to favor one hand for a while and then switch to the other, but you can't really tell whether he's a lefty or a righty until he's about 2 or 3 years old.

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 3-month-old: Week 3

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is starting to draw conclusions about the world around him. He's looking at everything with curiosity, even his own reflection.

Prop an unbreakable mirror next to him or set him in front of your mirror when you're getting ready in the morning. Your baby won't realize that it's actually his image in the mirror (which usually begins to happen well into the second year), but that doesn't matter. He'll love staring at his — or anyone else's — reflection, and he may show his delight with an all-out gummy grin.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 3-month-old's development.

Your life: Changing friendships

Having a new baby brings changes in your relationships with everyone — including your friends. Sometimes old friends who have no children are as delighted by your baby as you are, and aside from a few accommodations to your schedule, things continue as they once did. But others may not be as excited about your new phase of life. Some may be envious, others bored, and still others may simply have no interest in children. You can't blame your friends entirely. You're changing, too. Interests you once shared with certain people — skydiving, nightclubbing, shopping for shoes till you dropped — may no longer mesh with your lifestyle.

Although you can't expect everything to stay exactly the same, it helps to strive for a balance between your old way of being together and your new situation. Your friend can't expect you to abandon all thoughts of your baby, and you can't expect her to want to talk only about motherhood. Look for common ground in your activities and time together. It's great if you can sometimes go out to lunch, just the two of you, and other times have her come to your house to visit with the baby, for example.

You may drift apart from some pals, but at the same time, your baby will bring you into the orbit of new friends. Through playgroups, mom support networks, and chance encounters, you and your partner will meet other new parents with whom you have a lot in common.

3 questions about: Thrush

What is thrush?
Thrush is a fungal infection in your baby's mouth caused by the yeast Candida albicans. If you see white spots on the inside of your baby's lips and cheeks or on his tongue that don't easily wipe away (like spit-up does), they could be a sign of thrush.

Yeast grows in moist, warm, sugary environments — like the inside of a baby's mouth. If you're breastfeeding, your nipples can become infected with yeast when your baby latches on, which can then cause your nipples to be dry, sore, and painful during feedings. You're more vulnerable if you're stressed and your resistance is low. The yeast can also travel through your baby's digestive tract and come out on the other end, causing a diaper rash or vaginal yeast infection.

What can be done about it?
See your baby's healthcare provider. She'll probably prescribe an antifungal medication for you and your baby. If you're breastfeeding, it's important for both of you to be treated so that you don't continue to reinfect each other. It will probably take several weeks for the condition to go away once treatment has begun.

During treatment, be sure to wash your hands frequently and sterilize your baby's toys and pacifiers in boiling water. Applying an over-the-counter antifungal cream (clotrimazole) on your nipples can help you, as can taking ibuprofen.

How does thrush affect my baby?
While the yeast infection is annoying to you, your baby may show no ill effects at all. Some babies with thrush are more irritable and less interested in eating, however, because their cheeks and gums are sore.

source: babycenter

Your 3-month-old's development: Week 2

Coordinating arms, legs, and hands

Your baby can now wave her arms and pump her legs. And as her hip and knee joints become more flexible, her kicks are getting stronger. Hold her upright with her feet on the floor and feel her push down.



Your baby can also bring both hands together and open and close her fingers. Encourage her eye-hand coordination by holding out a toy to see if she'll reach for it. (Yes, swatting at a toy is a developmental milestone!) Just be sure to move that mobile out of your baby's reach, because she may be able to bring it crashing down before too long.

Touchy feely

Babies simply love to be touched. In fact, they thrive on it — it's a critical part of growth and development. All that skin-to-skin contact not only helps you and your baby bond, but is comforting when she's upset and soothing when she's irritable.



Nurture your baby's sense of touch with a variety of materials — such as fur, felt, and terrycloth. Your baby will likely try to eat everything, so choose carefully and don't leave her alone with anything that could come apart in her mouth. And look for books like Pat the Bunny that make reading a tactile experience.



Touch — the feel of a gentle breeze or a massage, being carried on your hip, or kissed on the nose — is a powerful way to relax or engage your baby. It may even make her more alert and help her have a longer attention span.



For a simple baby massage, find a warm, flat surface to lay your baby on — a blanket on a carpeted floor is fine. Pour a little baby oil or vegetable oil in your palms and rub your hands together to warm them and the oil. Look into your baby's eyes, and sing or talk to her as you do the massage.



Pay attention to your baby's response: If she doesn't seem to be enjoying herself, try a lighter or heavier touch, or simply stop. No need to know about special strokes, either. All she needs is your gentle touch.

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 3-month-old: Week 2

How your baby's growing:

Babies simply love to be touched. In fact, they thrive on it — touch is a critical part of growth and development. All that skin-to-skin contact not only helps you and your baby bond, but it's comforting when she's upset and soothing when she's irritable.

Nurture your baby's sense of touch with a variety of materials, such as fake fur, felt, and terry cloth. Your baby will probably try to eat everything, so choose carefully and don't leave her alone with anything that could come apart in her mouth. Look for books like Pat the Bunny that make reading a tactile experience.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 3-month-old's development.

Your life: Making peace with your post-baby body

Childbirth is a life- and body-changing experience: Your hips and waist may now be slightly wider, and your belly may be softer. Give yourself at least the nine months it took to grow your baby to return to something closer to your pre-pregnancy shape. Many women find that they simply can't return to their pre-pregnancy weight. As long as your weight is in a healthy range, this is perfectly okay.

If you're breastfeeding, it's particularly important not to go on a highly restrictive diet. Instead of focusing on rapid weight loss through a diet or exercise program that may be impossible to live with the rest of your life, think more carefully about what you eat and how you eat. Here are some guidelines:

Eat smaller portions, and chew each bite more slowly. You'll find that you can feel satisfied with less. Stop before you feel full or bloated.

Drink water. Carry around ice water in a refillable sports bottle and sip it throughout the day. Not only is it smart to stay hydrated if you're nursing, downing liquids also fills your stomach and curbs hunger pangs. Herbal tea, decaffeinated coffee, and flavored or vitamin water are also okay in moderation.

Eat more "good" calories, fewer "bad" ones. Don't abandon the emphasis on nutrition that you developed while you were pregnant.

Snack smart. Keep low-calorie munchables around, such as fruit and raw vegetables.

Start exercising. Remember to begin slowly. If you're resuming a pre-pregnancy workout routine, ease back into it.

3 questions about: Missed immunizations

What if my baby doesn't get her shots when she should?
If your baby has missed a shot in a series (such as the DTaP vaccine) because of illness or another reason, don't worry. Your doctor will continue to administer the series by picking up where you left off, usually at the next well-child checkup. Some doctors will have you schedule an in-between visit with a nurse for shots to catch up. (The doctor's office keeps careful records, but it's also a good idea for you to do the same.) Be sure to remind your doctor of any missed shots.

Are there times when my baby shouldn't get a shot?
Yes, although most of the time when your baby has a low fever or a mild cold, it's still safe and effective for her to get the vaccine. Get your doctor's advice if your baby has:
• A high fever or a new illness.
• An immune disorder or deficiency or takes medicine that interferes with her immune system.
• Epilepsy.
• Had nonfebrile convulsions.
• Been given high doses of oral steroids for more than two weeks in the last three months.
• Had a severe reaction to a previous shot, such as a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius) or higher, convulsions, inconsolable crying, or collapse.

What if my baby was born prematurely?
Premature babies and babies with a low birth weight (less than 5 lb., 8 oz. or 2.5 kg) should follow the same schedule for immunizations as full-term infants, unless your doctor suggests otherwise.


source: babycenter