Your 17 Week Old Baby's Development And Milestones

Your 17 Week Old Baby’s Development & Growth Milestones

The all-liquid diet thing is about to end

If your baby can hold up his head without wobbling, and is starting to show some interest in what you’re eating (and who wouldn’t, when you’ve been on an all-liquid diet for four months?), it’s safe to start him on some solid foods (you can also offer a little bit of water, but hold off on juice for now).

Begin with an iron-fortified cereal mixed with enough breast milk or formula to make it very thin, offer tiny bites to begin with, and remember: this is a new process, so expect it to be slow-going at first. He might push the spoon right back out of his mouth, or get more cereal on his face than in his stomach. Since it’s more for practice right now than nourishment, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t eat much, so don’t feel pressured for him to ingest a certain quantity.

Your 17 Week Old Baby’s Physical, Social, And Cognitive Milestones

At this age, babies are able to notice differences in objects, and detect patterns. Amazing! This means they get bored with the same old, same old. Try swapping out any toys she’s been playing with for different ones, or reading new books, or tying colorful ribbons to her mobile – it will re-engage her and keep her learning.

As your baby’s primary caregiver, it probably comes naturally to you to be the “first responder” when she needs something – and you probably feel like you’re better equipped than anyone else to handle it. After all, you’ve got baby’s routine down to a science. But loosening the reins and turning over certain duties to your partner isn’t just helpful in lightening your load – it’s also crucial for bonding time. Don’t worry about how your other half bathes, feeds, or plays with your baby, even if it’s different than the way you do it; just appreciate that you’ve got someone to give you a breather. And then go have some ice cream.

Or, you know, whiskey.

HOMEWORK:

The New Dad’s Guide To Not Getting Bludgeoned

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