by Motherly
Your challenge: Where did the time go? You certainly didn't sleep it away! Still, it seems like all so suddenly your newborn isn't quite so new—and definitely not as sleepy. Now that they are more, ahem, comfortable making their wants and preferences known, how can you go confidently into this exciting new time?
The solution: There is a very special magic to the not-so-new newborn. They still feature many of the perks you love with the teeniest of babies, like a constant willingness to snuggle. Only now you are starting to feel more confident in reading their cues, knowing what you're doing and braving the world together. In other words, this is when the fun really begins!
Baby is studying the world: Those little eyes that could barely see one foot in front of them not so long ago can now see colors and are getting much better at depth perception. For you, that means this is a wonderful reminder to get in the habit of narrating your experiences as you take baby along to the park, a museum or even the vibrant produce aisle at the grocery store.
Put the play gym to use: Your baby is in that delightfully sweet spot between being oh-so curious and pretty easy to entertain. Get down on the ground level with them for some training sessions with their play gym. Great exercises include encouraging them to reach for items placed to the sides of them to work on those rolling skills or giving them toys that react with lights or music.
Have conversations: Thanks to all that narrating you've been doing, baby is probably working on finding their own voice—in the form of squeals and giggles. Treat these vocalizations like true conversations, the "serve and return" practice that Harvard researchers say is a perfect workout for developing minds.
Brave the sleep regression: For all the good that comes along with your growing baby, there may be one big obstacle lurking: the infamous 4-month sleep regression. If your baby goes from sleeping through the night to waking up every hour, be reassured that this is normal and temporary. The best thing you can do is use the opportunity to continue with the healthy sleep habits you've already been establishing—and catch some naps of your own.
Pro tip: Once baby can steadily hold up their head, you can face them outward while babywearing—presenting a lot more options for them to study the world.
You've got this.
Motherly + Kids2 provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. This site does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The milestones presented are averages. Any questions you may have about your child's development should be shared with his or her doctor.
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