What's New For Infants

As it gets close to your babies birthday, you might be thinking about weaning. When should you do it? How should you do it? Do you HAVE to do it?

Many women go by the AAP recommendations of nursing for the whole first year, then when their baby has their birthday they quit. Others choose to nurse throughout the second year of live, and past the second birthday. There is no wrong answer, and it should be determined by how both the mother and baby are feeling.

here are many ways to go about weaning your baby when you choose too. Some women will go cold turkey, cutting of the baby, and herself. For some babies this works rather well -- out of sight, out of mind. Other women take a more gradual approach to weaning. They begin by decreasing nursing sessions, one at a time throughout the day. Normally starting with one of the afternoon feedings, and ending with either the morning or night nursing. If you plan on stopping at one year, and you want to take the gradual approach to getting there, you could start now; just make sure that your baby is getting extra nourishment from yogurts and other foods that include whole milk.

Developmental Milestones*

Communication is becoming key for your baby. He is starting to understand that there are ways to get things other than crying for them. He may start pointing at things he wants, or reaching for something, even if it is out of reach. These actions might be accompanies by other sounds which mean nothing, but get your attention.

What Might Concern You at 41 Weeks

Is it too early to teach table manners? Well, when it comes to ten month olds, wearing food is more fashionable than eating it and there will not be much that you can say to change their minds. They are still learning about textures, as well as the feel of things. Playing with their food is a great way for them to learn, so they think.

However, you might not find bananas mashed in the hair, or goopy, drippy yogurt between the fingers humorous. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to stop your baby from exploring his food. Make sure you have lots of bibs, stand by with a wet rag to clean him up, at night time, have the tub ready to give him a good cleaning before bed. Just remember, like everything else, this is a stage he will eventually out grow.

This time last year...

You were 29 Weeks Pregnant!   Can you believe it? Time flies too fast! Be sure you start chronicling these infant memories now by creating your free baby journal today!

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