WHAT SHOULD SHE EAT WHEN SHE GOES OUT WITH YOU?

By now, your baby could be ready to be taken out on your outings  most babies love the ride and also enjoy being taken to new and unfamiliar places. You too will enjoy the break from the daily routine, a chance when you get to spend some quality time with your family. Your baby is now more than 6 months old, and you could sometimes take her along with you to a restaurant, to have a meal. She cannot eat the food cooked there, so you will have to carry her food in little jars (make sure they are sterilized well!) Some food that she can eat on her own, like finger food will also help to keep her occupied when she is in the restaurant with you. Some juices or milk in colorful sippy cups and bottles will keep her intrigued and will also add to her choice. Carry her toys too so that she can be playing with them while allowing you to enjoy your meal in peace!


WHAT WILL SHE DO AT THIS TIME?

Some babies might have started to crawl, while others might have already graduated to cruising! What is cruising? Cruising is when your baby will try to walk around by holding to nearby items or furniture. Holding on helps to strengthen her legs, and as she moves around, you can very well see the joy on her face!
Also, her behavior around different people will also be different. As she grows, just observe that she will be the perfect angel with say, her day care provider or even with her grandparents, and behave like a devil with you or your spouse, refusing to eat her meals or throwing a tantrum! This is because she knows she can act up a bit with you, and that you will always be around for her at the end of the day!

HOW MUCH WILL SHE SLEEP?

At 28 weeks, your baby should be sleeping soundly and well through the nights. If she is teething, she might wake up occasionally if her gums pain. Ask your doctor to give her some medication that will relieve her of the pain. Her gums are very tender during this time, and she could feel better if you kept massaging them for her softly.

WHAT YOU COULD HELP HER DO!

Intellectually she is advancing. Your baby will soon start throwing things all around her, for the sheer joy of it. But she is also learning the importance of what is called ‘Object Permanence’ – that is, she is beginning to grasp the idea that things exist even when they are not there! An important advancement for her, surely! Allow her to throw things out of sight and even though she makes a mess, she is learning, so it is quite alright!

You will also observe that you can no longer take away things that are unsafe from her midst, unless you want to hear loud screams and cries of rage! Also, she knows that you are there for her, but she is not too confident about that. So this could sometimes lead to ‘separation anxiety’, especially when you leave her alone for some intervals of time. Be sure to come back on schedule. Do not stay away for too long periods of time.