WHAT SHOULD SHE EAT?

Is mealtime for your baby fun or messy? Is she making it a hassle for you? Try to make mealtimes for her fun.

“Open the door”. When she is not too hungry, just say ‘open the door’, as you show her the food in your hand. When she opens the mouth, push the food in.

“Up and in”. When you are feeding your baby, place a spoonful of the food in her mouth as you lift the spoon up. And she will take the food right in!

Give her a spoon to play with, as you feed her yourself. This will keep her hands occupied as she feeds. Give her a plate and a bowl with some food in it to keep her interest riveted. Many babies like to pour, and drop and mess around with food as you feed them . Use whatever methods interest her.

WHAT WILL SHE DO AT THIS TIME?

Even though your baby may not be talking that much, she can still understand a lot about the world around her. By now, she now knows  the names of about a dozen or more objects, and can follow simple instructions and orders.

When it comes to her social development, she will now look towards seeking  social approval for all her actions, and will also strive for  companionship and attention. She will start fearing strange places at this time, places that she has never been to before. And what’s more, she can now feed herself entire meals, if given a chance!

WHAT YOU COULD HELP HER DO!

As she is now yearning for social attention, she will start getting bored of sitting at home. She will want to be taken out often, so you could take her on your rounds to the grocery shop or mall, along with taking her to the garden for a stroll. If you can, take her to the local zoo. Animals in the cages will interest her no end, and can keep her interest focused for hours.

Your relationship with your baby is a very precious thread of never-ending love. The way she reacts with you may be different from the way she does it with your spouse, as her understanding of the world around her is a conscious blossoming of her evolving mental relationships.

At this time, many babies want to keep standing all the time. Your baby may want to stand up while she is having a bath, or during her diaper changes and even during meals. Give her the freedom to stand when you feel it is safe, but be firm when you feel that she needs to sit down.

WHAT ABOUT HER SLEEP?

If you happen to live as a joint family, it will demand even more importance that you stick to the routine set by you. This is because other family members might play with your baby late into the night or want her to sleep by their side. You will have to explain to them about the schedule that you have set. Be firm but polite. You could take their help in adhering to the routine set by you.

WHAT SHE WILL WEIGH

She should be steadily increasing her weight, adding some grams every week. Babies grow in spurts, so if she does not gain weight for some time, it is alright. Only if she is looking out of sorts or listless, or keeps crying for no reason, should you really worry. Ask your doctor if you feel something is wrong.

Her weight should be touching the 9 1/2 to 10 kg mark by now.