- Understands the concept of object permanence
- Gets upset if toy is removed
- Transfers object from hand to hand
- Stands holding onto someone
- Pulls to standing
Your Baby's 40th Week
Your little one will become increasingly mobile. Now he’ll have perfected his crawling abilities and will be on the go whenever he’s placed on the floor. He’ll alternate hand, then knee, first one side, then the other. This new, more mature motion, will allow him to balance on one hand while reaching for an object with the other.
He’s also learned how to move from a crawling position to a sitting position, enabling him to fully inspect and enjoy the toy he’s grasped. You’ll find that he’ll also sit frequently just to rest his tired limbs.
He’ll also learn to crawl up stairs and will delight in displaying his newfound abilities, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately, he has not yet learned how to go back down the stairs once he’s climbed up. Take care to securely place a gate at both the top and bottom of all sets of stairs to safeguard against any accidental falls.
Your Baby's 41st Week
New sounds continue to flow from of your little one’s mouth each day. She’ll test her ability to make these noises by babbling streams of random vowel sounds. Very soon, these strings of seeming meaningless sounds will take shape as individual "words" with very clear definitions. In addition to these sounds, she’ll also begin to imitate non-verbal noises such as coughs and sneezes. She’ll discover that certain sounds (such as a cough) will cause you to turn and check on her. She may delight in making these sounds simply to attract your attention.
Her now well-developed pincer grasp will enable her to pick up very small items. No speck of dust is safe from curious little fingers as she crawls about the floor. Be sure to sweep and vacuum frequently and watch carefully for dangerous items that may have fallen within her reach.
Your Baby's 42nd Week
Watching the baby in the mirror is sure to be one of your little one’s favorite past times. You’ll be amazed at how he’ll entertain himself by simply staring at his own reflection.
His memory is steadily evolving now. He’s able to form mental images of familiar objects when they’re out of sight. Expect him to remember a favorite toy even after it’s been carefully put away. He’s mastering the concept of object permanence. That is, understanding that an object continues to exist even when it has been removed from his sight. Although it may take several weeks, or even months, for this concept to completely set in, you’ll notice his separation anxiety lessen as he realizes that you continue to exist when you have left him with another caregiver. He now knows that though you may depart momentarily, you’ll soon return.
Your Baby's 43rd Week
You’ll notice that your little one responds best when she’s kept to a fairly regular schedule. Sleeping, eating and playing at relatively the same time each day will help her learn to anticipate coming events and prepare herself accordingly. Such schedules may also help alleviate such potential future problems as night terrors.
After witnessing her amazing growth, you may be tempted to move her into a larger, forward-facing car seat, so you can better enjoy her company in the car. While this may seem harmless, experts advise that she’s not yet strong enough to be placed in that position. Her neck and spine are still immature and will be best protected by a rear-facing seat. While you should move her to a larger model if she’s outgrown her infant seat, be sure to choose a convertible seat that will accommodate both rear and forward facing positions. Many of these seats can be used from birth to approximately 40 pounds. Current safety guidelines state that children should be kept in the rear-facing position until they are both 20 pounds in weight and one year old. In fact, some states are enacting legislation to make it illegal to transport a child in a forward facing position until she is over a year old. Although it may be tempting to turn her seat sooner, rest assured that by leaving her looking out the rear window for a few more weeks, you’re doing your very best to protect her from harm.
When it’s time to unwind, you’ll notice how she’ll enjoy cuddling on your lap while you read a book or two. Watch her now as she begins to take an interest in the pages. Colors captivate. Familiar sounds intrigue. She may have enjoyed story time in the past, but as the next few weeks and months unfold, she’ll take on a new appreciation for this daily ritual. Remember, the more sounds she hears, the more easily she’ll develop her own spoken vocabulary. Take time out each day for this wonderfully educational ritual.
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