5 months week 4
Your baby
Although your baby may hold a steady sitting position for some time, she is still working very hard to maintain her balance, so do not leave her sitting up on a bed, couch or chair. When she is sitting on a hard surface, scatter plenty of pillows around her for the unavoidable time when she flops over headfirst. Even then don’t leave her, if she falls face first and her body lands on top of her arms, she may not be able to lift her face from the pillows.
Building a positive relationship with your baby’s caregiver
- Look at the relationship as a partnership.
- Recognise your caregiver’s good work, a simple thank you goes a long way.
- Keep your caregiver informed on any change in your baby’s schedule.
- Work together, share your ideas and express your interests on caring for your baby.
- A simple phone call during the day to check up on them is fine but be sure not to call constantly.
Is my baby too big?
As months pass you may become concerned about your baby’s weight and find yourself asking if she is too fat or if she is growing up at a normal rate.
Like all healthy babies, your baby was born with a certain amount of fat,” baby fat”, until she develops and exercises muscles this baby fat is perfectly normal.
If you are still concerned, ask your pediatrician or a nurse at your next baby well check-up, they will be more than willing to address your concerns. If you are advised to monitor your baby’s weight, pay attention to the following:
- When soothing or calming baby down, do not offer anything other than breast, bottle, solid foods or juice.
- When baby is upset, do not automatically push food down her throat. She may want something else but will accept food as a substitute.
- Do offer your baby water instead of breast or bottle in between feeds. If she seems to want the bottle hour after hour, she may just be thirsty rather than hungry.
- Encourage your baby to be more active, give her more free time on the floor, help her to practice pulling up to sitting and encourage her to bounce while standing and holding your hands but be sure not to overdo it.