Baby Week 19

0

What Solids Should I Introduce?

Now you are almost at that five month stage – before you know it, your child will be half a year old! Incredible, isn’t it? So, what can we expect in the latter part of the first six months? Your little one has grown so much both physically and cognitively, developing a strong personality along the way. You may be feeling a little overwhelmed at the speed of the process. This, I’m afraid, is something that never changes! So, take your time, enjoy these precious times with your little one. Before you know it, he will be riffling through your wardrobe and make-up bag and wheedling for a lift into town!

This week…

The physical development you will have been monitoring is continuing apace. He will now be exercising those muscles in his arms and legs, preparing for the magical day when he gets mobile! Arms and legs are probably moving in unison.

If he is sitting up well by now, you may want to consider using a high-chair – if you have not already procured one.  A good tip is to make sure that it is placed on a large plastic sheet – when the food gets thrown around – as it inevitably will – then plastic is far easier to pick up and clean off than your carpet will be.

Speaking of food – please don’t add anything to the food you give to him. If you choose to buy ready-made baby food, check carefully for additives especially sweeteners and salt. If you always give him sweet treats, try offering something like mashed strawberry or banana instead – foods that are much better for him.  You may notice, too, that before you feed him, your baby is anticipating being fed and is showing excitement when he sees the food.  This may also happen when you are making his bottle.

A development you may begin noticing is his vocalizing a response to you.  While you interact with him (talk, sing, tickle, etc), he just might say something back to you like “ah” or “eh” or any other sound that you’ve been hearing recently. Give him more opportunities to build up the word bank by describing objects in more detail to him . For instance, if you use picture books of babies doing things – like dressing, or sitting, or eating, tell him the words and when he does it too, show him the picture and say ‘…is sitting too!’ Or eating or whichever is appropriate. You can also name colours, animals, birds, trees, etc.…

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here