16 weeks

Behavior and development

How does the baby develop?

By the last week of the third month, your baby will be able to:

Put weight on the leg when held upright;

Grabbing or grabbing an object;

Keep the head level with the body when pulled to sit up;

Direct your attention to where the voice is coming from, especially the voice of your mother;

Can speak a consonant combination;

Joking around;

When you put your baby on his or her back, he can raise his head and shoulders by pushing his arms. The push-up activity can help strengthen the muscles and help your baby see more clearly what's happening around him. Your baby may even surprise you and yourself by turning from face to side and vice versa. 

What do you need to do to support your baby?

You can encourage your baby to turn over by gently rocking a toy on the side of your baby that often flips over. Praise your baby's efforts and smile at her. Sometimes you need to reassure your baby because this new skill will make him a little afraid and hesitant to perform.

Health and safety

What should mom discuss with the doctor?

Each doctor will have a method of checking the health of the baby depending on the specific condition. General physical tests, as well as the number and type of diagnostic techniques and procedures performed will vary widely depending on the condition of the baby. Your doctor can:

Measure the weight, height, head circumference and progress of the baby's development after birth;

Physical examination, including re-examination for previous problems;

Instructing you on what to consider for the next month regarding feeding, sleeping, development and infant safety;

Answer the questions you are wondering: How will your baby react when he is vaccinated? How should you respond? What reactions should you call the doctor?

You also need to be aware of problems occurring over the past month in your baby's health, problems with feeding / feeding or changes in the family. Take note of your doctor's information and instructions. Record all necessary information (baby's weight, height, head circumference, birthmarks, vaccinations, illnesses, prescribed medications, test results ...) in the baby's health record. .

Mother should know more?

Baby is too chubby

Obesity has become a common health term. While being overweight can cause a lot of concerns, a baby that seems chubby doesn't cause too much anxiety. Some babies are born plump, others are older than they can start puffing. But this is not necessarily due to unhealthy diet or due to inactivity, but maybe because the baby has not developed a lot of muscles. This condition can improve as the baby gets older.

If you are concerned that your baby may be obese, take him or her to the doctor for a closer examination. To assess obesity, the doctor will first check the baby's weight and height based on age criteria. If your baby is overweight, the doctor will consider how your baby grows. Very few doctors seriously consider the baby's weight at this age, especially when the baby has not started weaning.

A plump body is not a sign that a baby will be obese as an adult. Many babies start to lose weight when they can crawl and learn to walk. As your baby gets older, you can encourage your baby to play on the floor, feed him only when he feels hungry, and avoid breastfeeding just to comfort him. This will help reduce the chances of your baby being obese.

Dangerous games

Your baby can be extremely excited when you bounce it high and photograph it. However, this is very dangerous. Some games can be extremely dangerous for children under two years old. Babies can be traumatized by being thrown up high, shaking vigorously or violently. Because the baby's head is now as heavy as the rest of the body, not to mention the neck muscles are still not fully developed, so the support force for the baby's head is very weak. When shaking vigorously, the baby's head is tilted back and leaned forward, which can cause the brain to collide with the skull. The damaged brain can cause swelling, bleeding, stress or damage to nerves, and it is possible that the baby will suffer mentally or physically for a lifetime.

Babies may also have eye injuries. If the retina is detached or scratched, the baby's nerves can be damaged, which can affect the baby's vision, possibly even leading to blindness.

Injuries can occur if your baby is shaken vigorously while you are playing with your baby. Therefore, avoid loud play, vigorously shaking your baby's arms, head or neck when he or she is not supported and supported. Also, avoid jogging or bouncing your baby while you are wearing your baby (ride a stroller instead). That does not mean you cannot play with your baby, you can still play with your baby gently and always put safety first.

Mother's concern

What are the things you need to care about?

Your baby still uses a pacifier

Things that make your baby feel comfortable include breasts, bottles, lullabies or pacifiers. Once they become a habit, it will be very difficult for your baby to give up. If you don't want your baby to be addicted to pacifiers, now is the ideal time for your baby to stop using this device. At this age, your baby's ability to remember is still limited, so it will be easy for your baby to forget about the pacifier if he is no longer in contact with it. Another reason for advising your baby to wean pacifiers is because children this age can adapt to changes more easily than older babies, and the earlier it will be to remove pacifiers.

To help make your baby more comfortable without a pacifier, try swinging the crib, singing a lullaby, sucking your baby's hands (or letting your baby suck on his own). If your baby doesn't seem ready to leave a pacifier, you can limit your pacifier usage by only offering it during naps or at night.

Weaning early

Usually, the first three months of life are a time when babies are very comfortable and adaptable. So if you are choosing the best time to wean your baby, now is the time. Although your baby loves to breastfeed, weaning at this time will not be as difficult as weaning at six months of age. When you want to wean your baby early, it's best to start by giving your baby formula or bottle-expressing breastmilk for about 4-6 weeks to get used to. You may have to try different ways to find out which method your baby really likes. At this time, it is best to feed your baby with formula to gradually reduce breast milk supply. Be persistent, but don't be too reluctant to do this.

Try bottle-feeding before breastfeeding. If your baby refuses a bottle for the first time, try again the next time. You should keep trying until your baby is drinking at least 30-60 ml of bottle. Once your baby has done that, gradually replace one formula with breast milk. A few days later, you will continue to replace another breastfeeding with formula milk instead of breast milk. Switch gradually to give your breasts time to adjust to your milk supply.

You should also be careful not to extend the time of feeding your baby at night so that you and your baby have more quiet time and relax together after you get home from work. If you prefer, you can continue to breastfeed once a day if you still have milk and your baby still craves to feed. Slowly completely wean your baby or wait until you are no longer breastmilk.