19 weeks

Behavior and development

How does the baby develop?

By week 19, your baby can:

Keep your head straight with your body while sitting;

Flip (one way);

Pay attention in the direction of the voice, especially the voice of the mother;

Say a few simple words;

Joking.

What do you need to do to support your baby?

Encourage your baby to laugh by smiling at him or making a clown. Babies also love to hear a wide range of sounds. You don't need to use special toys or tools to make sounds, you simply use your tongue to whistle, make animal sounds; Surely your baby will enjoy this! Try giving your baby a toy shake and you will find that your baby is interested in shaking it to make a sound.

Encourage your baby to explore and play with different objects. You can watch your baby attentively play, play, and show curiosity with the toy.

Health and safety

What should mom discuss with the doctor?

Each doctor will have general physical tests, as well as the number, types of techniques to diagnose and procedure varies depending on the condition of each baby. The doctor or nurse will check for all or most of the following:

2nd vaccination for the baby if the baby is healthy and without other instructions from the doctor;

Tell your doctor if your baby has any reactions from the last injection.

Mother should know more?

At this stage, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Acute respiratory virus (RSV)

RSV, also known as acute respiratory virus, often has symptoms similar to a cold. This virus does not cause too dangerous diseases but is the cause of ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, which can develop into asthma or other respiratory diseases. Most children under the age of two are very susceptible to this virus. However, this disease is especially dangerous for infants under six months old, infants with health problems, premature infants or weak immune systems.

Your baby may have a mild cold at first, but after a few days more severe illness can cause difficulty breathing. Signs that your baby may have a serious infection include enlarged nostrils, bulging chest, tight abdominal muscles, wheezing, rapid breathing (more than 60 times per minute), blue lips and nails. and have problems with breastfeeding.

If your baby has an acute respiratory viral infection, call your doctor. Your doctor will probably ask you to take your baby to the clinic to check on his breathing. Your baby's doctor may prescribe an inhaled bronchodilator that makes breathing easier for your baby. Antibiotics cannot help treat acute respiratory viral disease. However, you can take care of your baby at home by giving your baby enough fluids and staying away from cigarette smoke to avoid breathing difficulties.

Try giving your baby nasal drops or inhalers to make breathing easier. These medications can thin mucus in the baby's nose, thereby preventing difficulty breathing. At the same time, keep your head high when your baby sleeps. You can give your baby acetaminophen (paracetamol) if your baby has a fever but must follow the instructions of your doctor. Babies born prematurely, babies with lung disease or congenital heart disease when RSV pandemic season needs to be vaccinated to help them fight the virus.

Blowing heart disease

The heart is a life-sustaining organ, so any heart problem is very dangerous, especially for babies. However, the majority of cases of blown heart disease are not of concern.

When the doctors say the baby has a heart murmur, it means the heart makes an abnormal sound as the blood flows through the heart to the point of being heard. Doctors can often tell you what is causing the abnormal sound.

Most of the time, the heart blows are caused by the irregular shape of the heart during its development. This sound is said to be harmless and can usually be diagnosed with a stethoscope test. Your baby will not need any further tests, treatment or limited activity at all. More than half of all children experience this condition, and it can last throughout childhood. Usually when the baby's heart is fully developed, the heart murmur automatically disappears.

If you are still concerned, ask your doctor about the exact condition of your baby's heart and whether it will affect your baby now and in the future.

Mother's concern

What are the things you need to care about?

Body massage

Massage isn't just for adults. In recent years, massage has become more popular in infants and is considered a very good therapy: Thanks to it, the baby grows faster, sleeps better, breathes better and is more alert. .

If you want to learn how to massage your baby, buy books, watch videos or take a class with a therapist to learn how to massage your baby effectively. Or you can also try massaging your baby by following these steps:

Choose a time that is convenient for you;

Choose the right time for your baby;

Create a comfortable space;

Use a lubricating oil if you prefer;

Follow your baby's reaction: your baby will let you know if he likes to massage and you will also know when to do it, and when to stop based on his responses;

Test movements: In general, babies like to be gentle. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Gently place both hands on the sides of the baby's head and hold for a few seconds. Then, gently stroke the sides of the baby's face, continue to stroke down the sides of the body to the toes;

Circle massage on baby's head with fingers. Gently stroke the baby's forehead by gently pressing his hands from the center of his forehead to stroke outwards;

Gently stroke the baby's chest from the inside out;

Swipe your belly gently from top to bottom with the edge of your hand, then move to the other hand and make a circle. Then let your fingers walk on your baby's tummy;

Gently roll the baby's arms and legs between your hands, stroking the baby's arms and legs. Open palms and massage fingers;

Raise baby's feet and put them back down. Massage and caress the baby's outstretched toes;

Lay your baby on his or her back and massage his back from side to side and from top to bottom;

During the massage, talk or sing gently to your baby. Always keep one hand on the baby.

Try massaging your baby and you will be surprised by his response.