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Infant - Week #12


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Newborn Week Twelve

By Angela Sawinski, edHelperBaby

Look Who's Talking!
           Coos are your baby's way of expressing delight as well as exercising his vocal cords. You can carry on a "conversation" with your baby now. When he gurgles or coos, say something brief or coo back at him. Then wait for him to "say" something back to you. This kind of conversational turn-taking may not sound like much to you now, but it's actually the beginning of learning how to talk.

 		   

Fact
           Your baby's wails are quite distinctive. Research has shown that infants can be identified from a distance by the sound of their cry alone.

 		   

  Three-Month Milestones
           When reading these milestones, keep in mind that every baby is unique and may develop these milestones at different ages. These are just suggested three-month milestones. If you are concerned about your child's development, talk to your child's doctor.       

       Movement:
  • Raises head and chest when lying on stomach
  • Supports upper body with arms when lying on stomach
  • Stretches legs out and kicks while lying on stomach or back
  • Opens and shuts hands
  • Pushes down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface
  • Brings hand to mouth
  • Takes swipes at dangling objects with hands
  • Grasps and shakes hand toys
       

       Visual:
  • Follows moving objects
  • Watches faces intently
  • Starts using hands and eyes in coordination
  • Recognizes familiar objects and people at a distance
       

       Hearing and Speech:
  • Begins to babble
  • Turns head toward direction of sound
  • Begins to imitate some sounds
  • Smiles at the sound of your voice
       

       Social/Emotional:
  • Begins to develop a social smile
  • Enjoys playing with other people and may cry when playing stops
  • Becomes more communicative and expressive with face and body
  • Imitates some movements and facial expressions

 		   

Appropriate Toys And Activities
   
  • Bright, varied mobile
  • Unbreakable mirror attached to the side of the crib
  • Rattles
  • Images or books with high-contrast patterns
  • Singing to your baby
  • Playing varied music from music boxes, CDs, records, or tapes

 		   

Changing Nipples
           At three months, it may be appropriate to change the nipples on bottles if you are formula feeding. Nipples come in different flow speeds. They are sized slow (0-3 months), medium (3-6 months), and fast (6-12 months). Your baby will probably be able to handle a medium flow at this point. It will allow him to eat faster and put forth less sucking effort.

 		   

  Poop Patrol
           When you were pregnant, there were some things you never thought you'd become an expert on,like, for example, your baby's poop. During your baby's first months, he typically has several watery bowel movements a day (possibly as many as ten), whether he's breastfed or formula-fed. This is because a newborn's intestinal tract doesn't absorb food as well as an older baby's, and much of the food he eats passes through the body, exiting as stool. When he begins to eat solids in a few months, he may have only one bowel movement a day or even one every few days. At that point you'll notice dramatic differences in the stool's color, consistency, and odor.

       What's important now is not how often he moves his bowels but how hard his stool is. If your baby is formula-fed, his bowel movements will be a little firmer than if he's breastfed. However, if his bowel movements are much firmer than peanut butter, he may be constipated. If so, talk with your baby's doctor about how to solve the problem.

 		   

Try This!
           There is nothing more delightful than a smiling baby. This game will encourage your baby to smile a lot. This game will also teach your baby how to have fun and anticipate things. Rock your baby back and forth in your arms very gently. Softly stroke the skin near his mouth with your index finger. When he smiles at you, praise him and let him know how pleased you are. Now try this - stroke the baby's face three times, then say, "smile." As you stroke his face, count to three. "One, two, three . . . smile."

 		   

  Dayvian's Experience
           I played this game with Dayvian right before his afternoon nap. His big sister was napping, so it gave us some special bonding time. I rocked him back and forth in my arms as I was standing up holding him. I gently stroked his cheek and he instantly smiled. The more I praised him, the more he smiled. This game did exactly what it was supposed to do- it got him to smile a lot. I used this for the perfect opportunity to take some three-month-old pictures of him. He was smiling right on cue!

 		   

Questions
     Why do babies cry?


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