4 months Week 2
Your baby
Babies love being touched, they actually thrive on it. Touch is a critical part of growth and development. Skin to skin contact not only helps you and your baby bond but its comforting when she’s upset or irritated-a massage from you would be really appreciated. However you should pay attention to your baby’s response and that will give you a clue to try a lighter or heavier touch.
She likes to feel different textures of objects. Nurture your baby’s sense of touch with a variety of materials, such as fake fur, terry cloth etc. Your baby will probably try to eat everything as this is her way of exploring new things, so choose carefully and don’t leave her alone with anything that might come apart in her mouth.
Her hands are open most of the time; she voluntarily shakes and holds a rattle, grabs onto your clothing and hair. Ouch-the joys of being a mom. She loves exploring her own face, eyes and mouth with her hands and looks at her hand held in front of her face. She enjoys watching her fingers move, grabs one hand with other one and suck on her fist. Now is the time to pay closer attention to her mouth as could start teething any day now.
Making peace with your new baby look
Ok you’ve been browsing though People magazine and saw how good Heidi Klum looks after having a baby and you hate her. The consolation that you have brought a new life into the world will take you only so far.
Lots of women feel insecure about their bodies after having a baby and find it hard to accept that this is how they look now. Some women do get back to their pre-pregnancy body and some just get close to having it back while others are not so lucky.
Some advice: make the effort to look good anyway. Buy yourself some a few outfits that make you feel fabulous and wear them often, not just on special occasions. This includes a cute comfy outfit to wear at home with baby.
Separation anxiety for you and baby
A baby has no sense of time and no way of knowing that an absent mother will ever return, yet she understands intuitively that her presence is essential!
Prepare your baby for separations, have the person who’ll be looking after the baby around a lot before going back to work. Let the person take care of the baby doing things like feeding, bathing and preparing her for a nap. Be around as the helper does this. Tell your baby what is happening although she can’t make sense of it now but you’ll feel better as this is hard for both baby and you. You, the child minder and baby should take a walk in a park; let the minder push the stroller, while you talk to the baby. This will reassure the baby that the minder can be trusted and is there to take care of her too just like you.
Don’t worry about your baby forgetting you and loving the helper more than you, remember that you are important in your baby’s life and she knows you even by your scent and no one can replace you in her life. Besides you’ll be back here every evening giving her love and all the attention.
