Baby E is 17 Weeks old (4 months)

Baby E is 17 weeks old. I am finding it hard to believe how quickly the last 4 months have flown by.


The past week has been quite busy for Baby E and his development.

Tuesday - We have been to Baby Massage, where we discussed baby's development. We learned how to massage the chest and arms. The other mums invited me to join them at another play group on Thursday, however I am busy with work. In the afternoon he had his second set of vaccinations. He started crying as soon as he saw the needles on the desk in the nurses office. I am amazed he remembers what they are for. His fear of the needles was far greater than the pain of the vaccinations, and he was not too upset when the nurse injected him. He was a little clingy and unsettled the next day, but nothing to worry about.

Wednesday - We have been to a weening group at the local Sure Start centre. We were invited by the Health Visitors and were part of the pilot group.


Thursday - Baby E spent the afternoon with his Grandmother while I went to a meeting at work. He refused to sleep all day and so was exhausted when I returned to pick him up. He had a lovely time, however has since started crying when I put him in his crib for a nap in the day. I think he is suffering from baby abandonment trauma. He is getting lots of cuddles, and re-assurance that I am still here for him.


Saturday - We took Baby E on our favourite walk around a local reservoir. Baby E loved the windy weather, and had lots of birds, trees and fishermen to look at. He was not as impressed with the water as he was by the sea. When we returned home, he started baby chatting to us. Once he was started, he would not stop! He had so much to say, and no doubt was telling us all about his morning. Now he chats at every opportunity, he even chats in the middle of the night if he awakes in his crib. I may be time to start planning on moving him to his own room. (oh no!)

Sunday - Baby E tried a door bouncer for the first time on Sunday, he spent most of the time knocking the bar against the door frame to hear the banging noise.

Monday - Baby E started rolling over. He has been accidentally rolling over for a few weeks, however there has been a sudden development, and he happily rolls from front to back and back to front when he is playing on the floor. Now he tries with all his might to move around when he is on his front. He wriggles, and pulls at anything around him in an attempt to get moving.


Monday - Baby E also started standing up when you help him into a seated position. He stops bending in the middle, and pushes up with his legs into a standing position. From there he wants to enjoy all his usual pastimes of sucking on your fingers, and looking around.


Baby E is much happier to sit in the high chair, and can now occupy himself for up to twenty minutes. He loves playing with his squeaky giraffe, and fluffy bunny.

Baby Massage - Sure Start

Today Baby E and I went to our first Baby Massage session. We registered for the course with our health visitors office at my local GP. The course is free and is part of the governments Sure Start Scheme which was set up to give every child the best start in life possible.
http://www.surestart.gov.uk/

There were 6 mums and babies on the course, which meant it was small enough to be relaxing and personable. The course was extremely well structured, and was run by two health visitors, one of whom is qualified in baby massage. This gives me the confidence that they are professional and qualified to coach on all aspects of looking after a baby.

We were given an informative booklet, which we will follow each week, and a bottle of oil suitable for massaging babies skin. We were advised on the types of oil to use on baby's skin, and why some oils may not be suitable for massage.

We were given time to introduce ourselves and our babies. Everyone seemed really lovely, and we all commented how great it was to meet like minded mothers, with babies who were born within six weeks of each other. Meeting new mums in a similar situation is great, and helps to re-assure my that everyone is the same, and all babies behave in the same way. It was a comfort to me that all the babies needed as much attention as Baby E does, Baby E was not the first to be rocked to sleep, however he was the first to need feeding!

We began this week by learning massage techniques on the legs and the feet. Baby E was so hungry we were not able to complete the whole of the massage, however I look forward to practicing at home. I fed Baby E during the coffee break, and used the excellent changing facilities. The course facilitators plan group discussions which start in the break so there is no long silences, or difficultly in striking up conversations with people you dont know. We were all free to join in if we wish, but there was no pressure if we did not want to share any experiences.

I have to miss next weeks session as we are away on holiday. I am quite sad about this, as I really enjoyed the course this morning. Part two is on baby weaning as well as more massage techniques. I am also looking forward to seeing the other mums again. They were all so nice, and it has made me consider joining more groups!!!