- Pays attention to small objects
- Experiments with the concept of cause and effect
- Can see across the room
- Begins to use hands in a raking fashion to bring toys near
- Begins teething process
Your Baby's 18th Week
Your little one has come a long way in four short months. He is now able to hold his head steady when he’s in an upright position.
While he is not yet able to sit unassisted, he will love the view offered by being perched in a high chair if he’s firmly supported by pillows or rolled towels and receiving blankets. Your lap will be another wonderful place to sit and view the world’s happenings. He will continue to enjoy standing with your support.
During playtime you may witness your little one taking an interest in his feet, as well as his hands. Games like “This little piggy went to market” will amuse you both.
Your Baby's 19th Week
Your little one has learned which cries and sounds will grab your attention and will display her skills often. You may soon be able to tell what she needs by the tone of her cry.
Expect her to display her physical talents as well. She’s developed strong leg muscles and will discover that she can use them to push herself around. Now diaper changes may become a challenge as she tries to scoot away either in protest or just to move about.
She’s also mastered the art of rolling over. Chances are she’ll begin by rolling from her tummy to her back. This position allows her to push with her hands as she tries to flip. As before, never leave her unattended. She’s likely to be very resourceful and use this as a means to move around the area. Be particularly cautious of her ability to move around and potentially fall off her changing table or other furniture.
Her desire to be in an upright position may leave you looking for an entertaining device that will allow her to stand while providing your arms with a much-needed rest. Steer clear of baby walkers. Experts advise that while redesigned models may meet current safety standards, studies have shown that they may inhibit your baby’s physical development an contribute to accidents resulting from her ability to prematurely cruise throughout your home. Babies who use such walkers may in fact learn to walk later than those who were never introduced to this device.
Your Baby's 20th Week
You’ve long understood that your little one has definite likes and dislikes. He’ll begin making his desires known in a more physical manner. Now, attempts to introduce a new food or administer medications may meet with an outstretched arm just waiting to purposefully push you away.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, in a policy statement, recommends that, “exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first six months after birth … In the first six months, water, juice, and other foods are generally unnecessary for breastfed infants.”
Though your closest advisors may advocate starting solids early to encourage your baby to sleep through the night, you should feel confident about your decision to continue nursing. Studies show that introducing solids before six months of age may result in discomfort as his immature digestive system attempts to prematurely accommodate the new food. The end result is often less sleep, not more. Your little one will not be harmed by your decision to wait another few weeks. In fact, it’s the best thing for him. You’ll both enjoy the final weeks of exclusive nursing.
Your Baby's 21th Week
Your little one will now begin to reach for her toys and will soon begin moving them from hand to hand and then right on to her mouth. Watch her carefully and take care to give her safe toys and teething rings she’ll be able to suck on without harm. She’ll enjoy the challenge of squeezing toys to make them squeak. You’ll notice her making conscious decisions as she plays. She’ll begin to play with blocks although she’ll not be very accurate in stacking or sorting them quite yet.
She’ll closely observe your mouth movements while you speak and will attempt to imitate your sounds and the inflection in your voice. She’ll babble specific sounds in an attempt to get attention. (The cute expressions on her face will help make her irresistible.) Watch as she also mimics your gestures.
Her eyesight has improved dramatically. Now, in addition to her black and white toys, she’ll begin taking an interest in the many colors the world has to offer. Offer her toys and objects of many colors and watch how quickly she makes her preferences known!
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