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The typical four-month old is well equipped to
explore. She sees many colors. She is alert to
sounds. She is easily able to lift her torso to
a 45 degrees angle when on tummy. She can focus
well. She can reach for objects more easily. At
a social level, she is more vocal now; screeches
delightfully just to hear herself. Her face is
more animated, giving you more clues about her
moods. She can even read your facial expressions.
Toys become an integral part of play and a potential
source of hazard as well.! |
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Why Toys
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Why does baby need toys? Toys help in
baby's development. Toys occupy his time. Toys
are a rich source of stimulation now and for years
to come. Physical skills such as batting, reaching,
stretching, grasping, shaking, pulling, squeezing
and throwing are achieved with the aid of toys.
Social skill, where toys provide babies to play
with other people, is less apparent. Babies often
offer toys to adults and other babies as a way
of inviting others into his circle for interaction.
Toys also encourage language and communication;
babies tend to coo and babble at toys even when
you are not around. Babies tend to benefit from
complex toys that provide information and are
complex and challenging. Such toys incorporate:
• A variety of colors
• Different visual patterns
• Opportunities for tactile sensations
• A number of shapes and contours
• responsiveness
Responsive toys or toys that
make sounds, change shape and move in interesting
ways when baby handles them are very much appreciated.
It encourages baby to continue playing with such
toys and over time baby masters skills. This mastery
builds confidence and baby is encouraged to practice
other skills. And the cycle goes on.
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Toy Safety
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Good rules to remember!
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Toys must be safe for mouthing.
• Toys must be nontoxic with a durable finish
and too big to fit into baby's mouth.
• Toys must be free of sharp points and
edges, trailing strings and ribbons to prevent
entanglement.
• Be especially careful of small parts your
baby can remove and try to swallow.
• Make sure soft toys are free of buttons,
bows or eyes your baby might pull off. For this
age, embroidered or printed faces are the best.
• Never hang toys or pacifier around baby's
neck. He might become entangled in the string
or get it caught on something and suffocate.
• Remove hanging toys from crib when baby
begins to push up on hands and knees.
• Buy toys that are suitable for this age
and avoid those that are meant for older babies
as it may be unsafe for your baby!
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Air Travel with Baby
With a little planning and preparation, air travel
can be hassle-free and enjoyable for everyone.
Be prepared for any situation when traveling with
baby by air. Do not ASSUME the airline will provide
anything to make your trip easier or more comfortable.
Plan
Ahead
• Keep your trip short where possible. Book
a non-stop flight; the faster the trip, the better.
• Allow extra time for everything. You may
need extra time when checking in, for changing
diapers or feeding baby.
• When possible, schedule your trip for
baby's naptime for bedtime. With luck, he will
sleep at least part of the trip.
• Change baby just before your board the
plane. If your trip is short, you may not have
to change her until after you land.
• Get an umbrella stroller if possible.
It is easier to stow in the plane, and it is helpful
when you have to walk long distances at the airport.
You can check it in at the gate before boarding
and you will get it back at the gate at your destination.
• Most airlines offer pre-boarding if you
are with a small child. You will have more time
to settle in your seats and stow all your gear.
• Offer baby a bottle during take off and
landing. This helps equalize air pressure in his
ears.
• Carry extra of everything you normally
have in your diaper bag. In case of delay, you
are well stocked with the supplies you will need.
Seating Arrangements
When making reservations, state clearly you are
traveling with a baby. You might prefer seating
behind the bulkhead, which provides more legroom.
Bulkheads do have drawbacks; armrests are fixed
in place so you cannot raise them to have more
room if it is empty. You also lose under-seat
storage.
A window seat is a good choice because no one
has to climb over you and baby to get in and out
of seat. If you have seat for baby, place yourself
between your baby and the other passenger.
Ear Advice
Taking off and landing can cause ear discomfort.
The change in air pressure causes fluid to build
up and a temporary hearing loss. Help baby clear
his ears to relieve his discomfort; feed him during
take-off and landing. If baby is asleep, wake
him and try to feed him.
Baby with a Cold
It is usually ok for baby with a cold to fly but
changes in air pressure can cause fluid to build
up and increase baby's risk of ear infection.
With an ear infection baby should be treated with
antibiotics at least 48 hours before the trip.
Discuss with your pediatrician about your plans
to fly and all other medication issues.
Baby and Hydration
The cabin air is very dry. Offer baby fluids to
prevent dehydration. Use saline nose drops to
help with the lack of humidity. Spray a little
into each nostril every one hour. An alternative
would be letting baby breathe through a damp washcloth
held close to his nose, but not over the nostrils.
When Baby needs
a change
Most airplane bathrooms do not come with a changing
table for baby, and even if they do, they are
small. Sometimes you may have to make do on an
empty seat or on your lap. If you are using cloth
diapers, put soiled diapers in a plastic bag and
rinse them after you land. Disposal diapers are
advisable when you are traveling simply because
it is easy to dispose them.
Baby and sleep
during flight
Some parents plan a trip so baby sleeps during
the flight; others prefer traveling after baby
wakes up. Try and not change baby's schedule to
fit with your flight time. Make baby comfortable
during flight to induce sleep. If that does not
work, be prepared to entertain baby.
Baby feeds
Bring sufficient formula and warm water for your
bottle fed baby. Mix bottle as you need it. With
older babies, take prepared baby food in addition
to formula. Some airlines provide baby food; request
it at least 24 hours in advance.
When things go
topsy-turvy
Some trips will not go according to plan. Unforeseen
circumstances may arise such as flight delay,
rerouting or cancellation. Do your best to deal
with the situation and ask for airline assistance.
Ask for a family area where you can rest with
your baby during waiting period. If delay is very
long, you are entitled to hotel accommodations. |
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  Medicating
Baby (Use proper measuring devices when giving
your baby medicine every time.)
Be extra careful when dispensing medication to
baby. Medicine must be the correct type and in
the right dose. These guidelines may be useful
when medicating your baby.
• When you give baby liquid medication,
use a measuring spoon, a plastic medicine spoon
or an oral syringe. Do not use tableware - they
are not accurate. Giving your baby 20% more or
less than she needs is not safe.
• Never guess at the amount of medicine
to give. Give baby the correct amount in terms
of age and weight as indicated on bottle.
• Store baby's medicine separately, and
out of a child reach.
• Be sure you have the correct medication;
double-check the label.
• If baby is prescribed more than one medicine,
be sure they can be taken together. Check with
your pediatrician or pharmacist on this.
• Do not keep old medications; get rid of
them.
• Use clean droppers and spoons. Wash them
in warm soapy water after use and store in an
airtight container or sealed plastic bag.
• Do not give medication to any other child
other than the one it was prescribed to.
Vitamin D advice
Years ago, parents were advised to place their
babies in the sun so that baby gets her vitamin
D from the ultraviolet rays. Today, the reverse
is being advised. Parents are being cautioned
to protect babies against the harmful rays. Vitamin
D can be gotten from breast milk and formula.
Sun blocks and sunscreen lotions should only be
used after baby turns six months old so the best
protection is no exposure to the sun.
Baby's Dislikes
Here is a list of things most babies do not like.
• Bitter or very sour tastes are unpleasant
to your baby. She will scrunch her face and turn
away to avoid another chance at it.
• Irregular movements or sounds can cause
baby distress. A baby prefers regularity in sound
and motion. A deviation from the usual can be
upsetting for baby.
• Sudden changes around her can be unsettling
to baby. Communicate to her what you are about
to do before you do it.
• Do not over stimulate baby if you can
avoid it. She reacts to stress in the way you
do.
• Abrupt volume changes can disturb your
baby. She likes gradual change. Avoid sudden changes
from soft to very loud sounds. |
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 BABY
WATCH
Baby's skull
Baby's skull grows faster during the first 4 months
of life than at any other time during her lifetime.
At check-ups, your baby's doctor measures her
head to see her brain is developing normally.
Baby's head may have grown by an inch in the first
month alone. For the remainder part of the year
average head growth is about half an inch per
month.
Baby's Hair
Your baby's hair may be changing in color, thickness
and texture. His baby hair is being replaced with
new hair that is more permanent. This process
will go on for a few weeks. Hair loss in certain
spots on your baby's head may indicate he is lying
too much in the same position. Friction on his
scalp will cause his hair to fall out too. Once
baby is more mobile, the balding spots will disappear. |
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Misconceptions
about Babies
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Parents
often misconceive their baby's emotional development.
Three common misconceptions are:
Misconception:
the greater the number of caregivers a baby has
before age 3, the better his ability to cope with
change.
Fact: too many
changes can actually dissuade baby from forming
new relationships.
Misconception:
young children do not get depressed.
Fact: studies
show that babies as young as 6 months old can
exhibit signs of depression.
Misconception:
the more stimulation he receives, the more he
will learn.
Fact: on the
contrary, over stimulation can irritate baby and
interfere with learning.
Baby Drool
Baby begins drooling about this time. Some baby
drool in excess, wetting their face and neck constantly.
Some people attribute drooling to teething. While
it is true for some babies who cut teeth early,
many babies do not start teething until some months
later. If your baby drools profusely, put a bib
on her and keep a washcloth handy all the time.
Constant wetness and the irritation of wet skin
against clothing can cause rash to form. If this
happens, protect baby's skin with petroleum jelly.
Dry her face and neck, and apply the jelly. Dusting
a little baby talc can help protect the area.
If the rash is severe or causes baby a lot of
discomfort, consult your pediatrician.
Baby Routine
Routine is important in more ways than one. Not
only are you setting a pattern to make your life
easier, you are also helping to anticipate events
that occur regularly in his life. This in turn
helps him develop skills of attention and memory.
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Milestones -
your Baby's progress record
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Sits when supported:
She sits up when supported at her hips and enjoys
sitting in a semi upright position. This position
is best for learning and play. Babies go through
several stages in learning to sit up. They also
enjoy sitting in a swing or other seat or on your
lap. They also enjoy being pulled up to sitting
position. Lay baby on her back on a smooth, soft
surface. Grasp her hands and s-l-o-w-l-y raise
her to the sitting position, ensuring your grip
on her hands are firm. Gently lower her again.
Eye-hand coordination:
She keeps her hands open most of the time. Baby
loves holding and shaking things like her rattle.
Her eye-hand coordination is improving. When she
sees something, she moves to reach for it. She
can manipulate an object more easily; whatever
baby lays hands on tends to go into her mouth.
She is also more deliberate in her movements.
She may start to grab your hair, jewelry or clothes,
or her dad's moustache. Her body and hands still
fascinate her.
Tonic-neck reflex:
The tonic neck reflex which kept baby's head turned
to one side most of the time, has just about disappeared
by now. Baby is therefore able to turn head to
either side, making it easier to turn toward a
sound.
Gaining in Strength:
When on tummy, baby can support her head and chest
with one arm. She may roll over easily now from
tummy to back.
Sharper vision:
Her focus sharpens and she is able to focus at
different distances, but prefers to look at what
is close by - within 3 feet. In a few weeks, she
will be able to focus on near and distant objects
just like adults do. Her eye movement is less
jerky now.
Bedtime routine:
Now may be a good time about easing baby away
from some dependencies, such as rocking her to
sleep every night. Instead of waiting for baby
to fall asleep in your arms, put baby to bed while
she is still awake. A bedtime routine will help
her understand it is time to sleep and that the
bed is meant for sleeping. Her bedtime also signals
to her that the day is over. Every family practices
different rituals for bedtime - baths, reading,
lullaby, prayers etc. Try different things, and
see what suits you best and make that a routine.
Using this routine even while away from home,
offers your baby security that this day is over
and a new one begins tomorrow. If you have not
established a routine, begin one now. You and
your baby will benefit from it.
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Toys and Play
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Roll
Baby Roll:
Lay baby on the floor and gently roll him from
side to side or from stomach to back. If baby
does not roll on his own yet, play a game to help
him along. Lay baby on his back on the floor.
Place a bright toy or an interesting object to
one side. If he turns toward it, give him a gentle
push to help him go all the way over. Not only
will baby enjoy, but this will also help him develop
the coordination to roll over on his own.
Soapy Bubbles:
Now that your baby's vision is much better, you
might want to entertain him with soap bubbles.
Busy some or make your own using dish soap and
water. Blow bubbles using a straw or bubble wand
but make sure it is away from baby's face. He
will enjoy watching the bubbles drift slowly around
the room. This exercise will also help him practice
tracking a moving object.
Touch tours:
Your four-month-old might enjoy touching as well
as looking. As you carry her around the house,
pause to let her feel things around the house
such as the bedspread, curtain fabrics, and water
rushing over her hands from the faucet. In a nice
weather, take her outdoors to feel the leaves,
grass, rough tree trunks. This is a good way to
educate your baby on different textures and about
the names of different objects. |
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