Sitting up is a monumental rite of passage for baby and their parents. For many, it’s a sign of independence and growing up. My babies were much more content once they could sit on their own. They could look around and observe their surroundings or have their hands free to play with toys. As one of the first major gross motor milestones of development, sitting up is something to encourage and look forward to with baby.¹ You may be eager to get baby sitting up but are unsure when to expect this milestone, specifically what age babies sit up. You might also wonder how to help them achieve it and what to do if they are not quite there when you think they should be. Here, we will dive into all that and more as we answer the question, “When do babies start sitting up on their own?”

When Do Babies Sit Up?

So, at what age do babies sit up by themselves? Your baby should be able to sit in a supported seat by 6 months. This may be in a tripod sitting position, in which they hold themselves sitting up by leaning forward on their hands. This could also mean you are supporting them from behind or the sides by holding them up or making sure they do not fall over.²

According to the CDC, your baby should be sitting without support by 9 months. At this age, your baby should also be able to get seated without help.³

In one large study of gross motor development, all the babies achieved sitting without support at around 9 months. The youngest baby to sit without support was just under 4 months old, and the oldest baby to sit was 9 months. The average age of babies in this study who sat without support was 6 months old.¹

Signs Your Baby Is Almost Ready To Start Sitting Up

Before being able to sit, your baby needs head control and core strength to hold themselves upright. Signs of improving head control and core strength include actions such as:⁴

• Lifting head during tummy time
• Using arms to hold up their upper body during tummy time
• Rolling over

If your baby has mastered these skills, these may be signs that they are ready to start trying to sit up.

How Do Babies Learn To Sit Up?

Infant strength develops from the top downward, moving from head to feet. The first form of a baby sitting is the tripod sitting position. In this position, their hands prop them up between their outstretched legs.⁴

Eventually, as posture and strength develop, babies learn to sit without the support of their hands, but they are still working on balance and stability. They often need to catch themselves and may still topple over often.⁴

The final stage of sitting is the most stable — at this point, babies can balance even when twisting, turning the head, and moving the arms.⁴ I remember realizing I was no longer worried about my toddler knocking over my baby from a seated position because she had finally mastered balancing while sitting!

How To Help Baby Sit Up

Here are some tips and tricks to help your little one practice sitting.

Provide Support

At my daughter’s four-month appointment, since she was rolling and lifting her head in tummy time, our pediatrician encouraged me to help my baby start sitting. She suggested sitting on the floor behind her with my legs in the shape of a V so she was supported from behind and on the sides. I also placed her hands on the floor so she could learn to support herself in the tripod sitting position.

To provide support, you can also place your baby in a seated position and keep your hands around their torso or ribs to hold them up. They will eventually learn to balance with their core or lean on one or both hands while looking around and playing with toys.²

Before my daughter could sit up without support, I used to sit her up with a C-shaped nursing pillow behind her. I would sit across from her or place toys in front of her, encouraging her to play with me while sitting up and balancing. This encouraged her to sit and gave me peace of mind that she would not fall backward and bump her head on the floor.

I suspect, in some ways, this might have backfired. The pillow began to serve as a safety net — she knew it was there and would intentionally throw herself straight backward onto it from a seated position. I am sure she developed core strength from essentially doing sit-ups off the Boppy pillow, but she had to learn the hard way (by falling backward) that the pillow would not always be there once she learned how to sit and balance without support!

Tummy Time

Several studies have demonstrated a positive association between tummy time and faster gross motor development. Babies who practiced more tummy time achieved sitting (both supported and independent), crawling, and pulling to stand at earlier ages.⁵

Exercise and Massage

In cultures that practice infant exercise and massage, babies sit at younger ages on average. Parents are so trusting of their stability that they walk away from their baby when they’re sitting up.⁴

Limit Container Time

While support from parents can help,  baby sit-up seats do not help a baby learn to sit independently. It may seem counterintuitive, but these baby containers poorly distribute a baby’s weight and place undue pressure on their back and hips. These seats also restrict a baby’s movements and teach them to rely on the support of these “chairs.” Furthermore, being confined to a baby sit-up seat immobilizes a baby’s joints and prevents their muscles from strengthening.⁶

Baby Sitting Up: What Milestone Comes Next?

So you have limited your baby’s time in containers, practiced lots of tummy time, provided endless support (literally!), and worked hard to encourage your baby to sit up. Once they have mastered this skill, you probably wonder what might come next. Sitting is usually the next major gross motor milestone after rolling.⁴ It starts the cascade of strength, development, and movement in the first 12 to 18 months of your baby’s life. Once they start sitting, other motor milestones may quickly follow.¹

One study of infant motor development showed that gross motor milestones follow a predictable sequence about 90% of the time. The following milestones to look out for after sitting include:¹

• Crawling on hands and knees
• Standing with support
• Walking with assistance
• Standing independently
• Walking alone

Infant motor milestones after sitting most often occur in the order listed above, but sometimes, crawling and standing with support can be swapped.¹

What To Do if You Suspect a Developmental Delay

If your baby is not meeting these milestones or you are concerned, do not hesitate to ask for help. No one knows your baby better than you! Go with your gut and always seek an exam from a trusted provider if you are concerned your baby may not meet gross motor milestones. If your baby was previously meeting a milestone but stopped performing that action, this is also worth investigating.²

Your pediatrician should be able to perform a developmental screening and refer you to a specialist if needed. It is okay to seek a second opinion if your pediatrician is not concerned, but you are still worried. You can also often make an appointment with an infant physical therapist without a referral from a doctor. Finally, you could call your state’s early intervention program for an evaluation and eligibility. Therapy can make a substantial difference, especially when initiated early.²

My second daughter was on the later end of “normal” for sitting and crawling. Her pediatrician assured me she was not concerned but gave me a physical therapy referral anyway. She reminded me that I know my baby best. I was not worried she would never meet these milestones; however, I was interested in pursuing therapy to learn how to better help her achieve these goals and catch up to her peers.

In the time leading up to the appointment, we started practicing more supported sitting and motivation through play. Ironically, she started sitting independently and army crawling just days before her physical therapy appointment, so I canceled it. However, I still remember our pediatrician making me feel heard, supported, and validated.

It can be emotional when your baby starts to sit! They always seem like less of a baby once they start sitting. As bittersweet as your baby learning to sit up may be, it is also an exciting milestone. It enables them to play with toys and see more of the world around them. There is much you can do to encourage sitting, and if you are ever concerned about a developmental delay, your pediatrician is an excellent resource for further assessment. With the right encouragement and interventions, your baby will be sitting (crawling, standing, and walking!) in no time.

Most babies who appear to have newborn constipation have functional constipation.¹ This is temporary constipation caused by a diet change, growth spurt, or just being a newborn. Infants are born with weak abdominal muscles and immature sphincters, so straining to have a bowel movement can be normal, especially if they have a soft stool after a few minutes of straining.² Organic constipation is caused by a medical problem such as a disease or deformity.³

Baby constipation is common, with 3%-5% of doctor visits for children related to constipation issues.¹ As a parent, you must know your baby’s bowel movement (BM) patterns to notice changes. Then, monitor the changes to see if you need to contact your provider. Most parents worry about newborn constipation issues, but it is usually functional, and you can treat it at home.¹

Signs of Baby Constipation

How do you know if your baby is constipated? There are several signs to watch for:^2,3,4,5

• A smaller number of bowel movements than normal
• Stools that are hard or shaped like pellets
• Large, round stool or watery stool
• They’re straining more than usual
• Fussiness or crying when baby is making a bowel movement, followed by hard stool
• Swollen or bloated belly
• Decreased intake/refusal to eat
• Vomiting
• Blood in the stools (often from an anal fissure)

How Often Should a Newborn Poop?

Each baby develops bowel movement patterns once they consistently eat the same food, formula, or breast milk. So, you will notice if there is a difference in your baby’s pattern. Of course, their pattern can naturally change with age and the types of food introduced into their diet. For example, it is normal for exclusively breast-fed babies to pass gas frequently but only have a bowel movement every four to seven days.⁵ However, some breastfed babies poop after every feed!

Most formula-fed infants have anywhere from one to four BMs per day. Some infants will have a BM with every feeding, while others may go every one to three days.^3,6 Just be aware of your baby’s BM pattern and watch for changes.

What Can Cause Baby Constipation?

Baby constipation is most common when there is a diet change for the baby. This includes changes from breast milk to formula, from one formula to another, and when solid foods are introduced. If you see a difference in your baby’s pooping pattern, or if the stool (poop) is hard and not easy to pass, your baby could be constipated.⁴

Some other causes of newborn constipation could be:^3,4,8

• Not drinking enough fluid
• Low fiber in the diet
• Immature digestive system in newborns
• Weak abdominal muscles in newborns
• After an illness
• A medical disease or anatomical malformation, such as Hirschprung’s disease

Regardless of the cause of your baby’s constipation, if it doesn’t resolve after two weeks with home remedies, you should contact your provider.⁷

How To Relieve Constipation in Babies Quickly

There are many ways to help your baby poop. One of the easiest ways to relieve baby constipation is a diet adjustment.^2,4,5 Remember to experiment with the amounts of added food or liquid items. It is best to only change one thing at a time and no more than one thing per 24-hour period. You do not want to give your baby diarrhea. Also, always check with your doctor before adding water, juice, or cereal to your baby’s diet. Here are some simple ways to help your baby’s constipation:^2,4,5

• Add water to their daily routine: Start with 1-2 oz daily, but not at regular feeding time. This is not recommended for young infants as people often misunderstand and add too much water, resulting in hyponatremia.
• Add 100% apple, pear, or prune juice for babies, which are good for constipation: You might start with 2 oz of juice, one to two times a day, but not at regular feeding time. Go slow and follow your doctor’s orders.
• Increase fiber in the diet: You can do this by adding wheat, oatmeal, or barley cereal. Avoid rice cereal, as it might cause constipation, and there are concerns it contains inorganic arsenic.⁹ Limiting this is also essential as these increase calories that are not particularly beneficial to growth.

There are also other ways to help with baby constipation that don’t include a diet change to help your baby pass their stool (poop). For example, you could try body positions to help the newborn poop, the belly press trick, and rectal/anal stimulation:^4,5

• Give the baby a warm bath: It can relax them and make it easier to pass the stool.
• Exercise the baby’s legs like they are pedaling a bicycle: This can help stimulate the bowels.
• Position or push the baby’s knees up to the chest: This puts the body in a squatting position (even though they are lying down), which helps release stool from the anus.
• Gently massage or press on the belly: Start at the lower right corner of the abdomen. Move upward in a straight line, then across the belly at the belly button level toward the left side and down to the left corner.
• Use a rectal thermometer to stimulate the anus: Put the thermometer in the anus as if you were taking their temperature. You can also do this with a cotton swab by adding some Vaseline to the swab and inserting it into the anus — only insert the tip of the swab.

You must contact your provider if none of the above home remedies relieve your baby’s constipation. They may suggest using a baby glycerin suppository or an enema.

When To Talk to a Doctor

If you decide to use a home remedy to help with your baby’s constipation, you should always follow your provider’s advice. If the home remedies don’t produce results after two weeks, contact your provider for further instructions. But if you see any of the following signs or symptoms in your baby, call your doctor immediately:^1,4

• Blood in the stool, which could indicate an infection in babies
• Black-colored stools which can mean there is blood in the digestive system
• Large bloated and distended belly, along with not wanting to feed and signs of constipation
• Vomiting develops after symptoms of constipation and belly bloating

How To Prevent Baby Constipation

Preventing baby constipation isn’t the best way to look at the situation. You never know when your baby may get constipated and need some help with passing stool. You should consistently monitor the stool for signs of constipation but can’t prevent it. And if you try too hard to prevent constipation, you may end up with the opposite problem — diarrhea.

The best way to prevent baby constipation is by following a proper diet, following your provider’s instructions about the baby’s diet, and remembering how to treat baby constipation. Here is a list of some general guidelines you can follow to try and help prevent baby constipation:⁷

• Ensure plenty of fluid intake: Ensure your baby is feeding the proper number of times per day for their age. Your provider can give you this information.
• Use proper amounts of fiber in the diet: Different baby foods contain different amounts of fiber. Pears, peaches, plums, and prunes (or any of their juices) contain high fiber.
• Frequent monitoring of stools: It’s easy to monitor your baby’s stool since you and your family are the most frequent diaper changers. If there are fewer dirty diapers than usual or the stool seems hard and pellet-like, that’s the time to help your baby with constipation.
• Regular exercise and tummy: Exercise for babies includes tummy time. This is where you lay them on their belly for a small amount of time a few times a day, moving their legs in a circular motion as if peddling a bike. Do this while playing with them or during a diaper change, and some of the swings and bouncy seats give your baby a chance to exercise.

Helpful Hints on How To Help Your Baby Poop

As a pediatric registered nurse, over the years, I have heard many parents mention the fastest or most effective way that helped their baby to poop. Here are some of the “winners” of the “I got my baby to poop” category:^2,4,5

• If your newborn is passing gas but not pooping, they will be pooping soon. The gas indicates the intestines are working and moving the stool along. Be patient.
• The general rule for fruit juice is to give a baby 1 oz for every month of life. So, a 2-month-old can have 2 oz of fruit juice per day.
• Rectal stimulation with a rectal thermometer or a cotton swab two to three times daily is one of the easiest and most effective home remedies for constipation.
• Make sure the baby gets regular exercise and tummy time.
• Never give a baby stool softener, laxatives, or an enema without contacting your provider.

All babies have their systems and respond to constipation home remedies differently. And since babies grow and change rapidly, you might find it frustrating to keep trying multiple remedies until you find the one that works for your baby. This is normal. Try to be patient. You will become aware of your baby’s BM pattern. Once familiar with their pattern, it will be easy to recognize signs of constipation. You can help them easily with all the tips and tricks when that happens. Then you, like many other parents and caretakers, can start your baby on the road to smooth and easy BMs. Happy diaper changing!

The whirlwind adventure of your baby’s development continues to move forward at breakneck speed. Your 5-month-old baby is continuing to learn new skills, and their personality is truly starting to shine through. In this article, we will continue to explore the new developmental milestones they will achieve and how their feeding and sleeping schedules may change. We will also discuss any health concerns to be aware of and fun new activities you can do with your little one.

What Developmental Milestones Should My 5-Month-Old Baby Meet?

Strap on your hats because the next month of your baby’s development is filled with more movement and sound than ever before. This month of milestones is also filled with more social growth for your 5-month-old when their personalities will start to shine. These new milestones include:^1,2

• Rolling from their tummy to back
• Reaching for toys using both hands
• Using their whole hand to grasp a toy
• Finding toys hidden under blankets
• Sitting with support
• Making sounds to get your attention
• May hold out their arms to be held
• Recognizing familiar faces
• Showing displeasure when you leave their sight

What Should My 5-Month-Old Baby’s Feeding Schedule Look Like?

With all these new skills your baby is learning, their feeding schedule may also change. Most parents wonder when their babies can start eating baby food, and 5 months old is a great time to see if your little one is ready. Before starting solid foods, please consult your baby’s doctor to determine if they are ready. Some signs to look for that show your baby may be ready to try solid foods include:²

• Can they support their head and body while sitting or being held?
• Are they showing interest in your food, with actions such as grabbing for your food?
• If your baby shows these signs and your doctor has confirmed they are ready to start solid foods, it is best to start small. Start with small amounts of finely pureed single-ingredient foods, such as baby cereal or a single veggie puree.

It is important to remember that while your baby may be ready to start trying solid food, the bulk of their diet will still come from breast milk or formula. So, how much of this should a 5-month-old eat? Your baby should still have 3-5 ounces of breast milk or formula every two to four hours.¹⁰

What Should My 5-Month-Old Baby’s Sleep Schedule Look Like?

As your baby enters their fifth month, their sleeping patterns will become more predictable. 5-month-old babies require 12-16 hours of sleep per day. At this age, your baby typically sleeps about three to four hours during the day, divided into two or three naps. Some babies continue to take shorter, more frequent naps. If you have concerns about your baby’s sleep, contact your pediatrician.²

Now is the perfect time to start if you have not started a bedtime routine with your little one. The best time to begin your routine is about 30 minutes before you are ready to put them down to sleep for the night. Your routine should consist of three to four quiet activities: feeding, bath time, storytime, and song time. You can start the bedtime routine with a feeding to help get your little one used to falling asleep without feeding first.⁴

What Should My 5-Month-Old Baby’s Daily Schedule Look Like?

Now that you have made it out of the newborn stage, a daily routine is possible and can be more easily maintained. Your 5-month-old’s feeding times will be much more consistent, and their wake times will be lengthened, allowing for more play time and outings. Consistent nap times will help you maintain structure in your baby’s day while ensuring your little one gets enough sleep.

It is recommended that a 5-month-old baby takes at least two naps, usually three, per day or sleeps for a total of three to four hours during the day. A sample schedule might look like a first nap around two hours after they have awoken for the day, lasting about one and a half to two hours. Then, once they wake, perhaps a feeding and some playtime can follow. A second nap might happen around two hours after waking from their morning nap and last another one and a half to two hours. Another feeding and some more playtime might follow that. You could aim for a bedtime of 7-8 p.m., so starting their bedtime routine around 6:30-7 p.m. can give your little one plenty of time to wind down for the night.⁴

Are There Any Health Concerns I Need To Watch Out for?

Your baby will not have a standard well-child checkup at five months, as those typically happen at 4 and 6 months. Not having a well-child checkup makes some parents wonder if their baby is growing enough. On average, many babies at 5 months old double their birth weight. It is best to remember that not all babies grow at the same rate. This can happen due to family history, whether your baby has any underlying medical conditions, and how much they eat.⁵ Your baby may have more frequent doctor visits than is standard if their doctor needs to monitor their weight.

While there may not be a standard well-child checkup at 5 months old, you must be aware of some common illnesses your little one can catch. These include the following:⁶

• Colds with a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, cough, and fussiness
• Diarrhea and vomiting caused by a virus
• Ear infections
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease – Causing sores around or inside the mouth and typically a rash on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet

Most infants can overcome these common illnesses, but it is essential to seek medical help if your baby starts to show any of these symptoms:⁶

• A fever lasting longer than three days
• Ear pain
• Signs of dehydration, such as dry or cracked lips, decreased amount of wet diapers, and a decrease in tears
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased fussiness
• Decreased energy

What Are Some Activities I Can Do With My 5-Month-Old Baby?

Now that your baby is more active and mobile, their playtime will also become more active. Here are some activities you can do with your baby to help engage them with playtime and achieve their 5-month milestones:^7,8

• Stack blocks and knock them down
• Have toys of a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors for your baby to choose from, feel, and look at
• Read books with simple pictures and faces
• Place a toy slightly out of reach to encourage them to move toward it
• Repeat any sounds they make and have a back-and-forth conversation with them
• Hide a toy under a blanket and encourage them to find it
• Help your baby learn cause and effect by giving them back the toys they have dropped
• Play peek-a-boo

Safety Tips

With more mobility comes an added need to ensure your baby remains safe in your home. Assessing your home and looking for ways your baby could become injured is important. Some things to keep in mind include:⁹

• Placing baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Read our baby-proofing checklist and see the top baby safety products for baby-proofing your home.
• Removing any small objects such as coins, balloons, or batteries from their reach
• Use the correct size car seat and ensure you’ve installed it correctly by ensuring the straps are at the correct height and it is facing backward
• Never leave them unattended, especially with young children or pets
• Using a slip-resistant tub for bathing and only filling it 2-3 inches with warm water
• Placing your baby on their back to sleep with no blankets, pillows, bumper pads, or toys in their crib
• Using a firm crib mattress with a snugly fit bottom sheet
• Removing all mobiles from their crib before leaving them unattended to sleep

Your little one’s adventure of growth and development is an exciting process to witness. As you move through this journey of new milestones and changing schedules, remember that every baby is unique and will reach these new milestones at a different pace. Cherish these moments, and savor the incredible bond you are building with your baby.

Having a newborn is life-changing. This new little one relies on you to fulfill their every need — a demanding job. Personalities become quickly apparent, and preferences are made known. First-time and seasoned parents are greeted with fresh challenges as they navigate this new person. And sometimes, parents must navigate life with a high-needs baby.

What does it mean when your baby is more demanding, intense, and draining than others? A high-needs baby requires more attention, more intuitiveness, and a lot of grace. While it may seem like no end is in sight, you will make it through with the right strategies and support.

What Is a High-Needs Baby?

It should be no secret — babies cry. Crying is a normal form of communication that infants rely on to make their needs known. Babies who have issues with early behaviors of crying, sleeping, and feeding will often receive the title of “a difficult” baby.¹

“High-needs baby” is not a medical diagnosis, and because of this, there is limited research available. Instead, this term describes a behavior pattern that affects approximately 20% of newborns.² Most of what we know of high-needs newborns results from parent experience and hallmark characteristics.

It is essential to identify a high-needs baby so you can have a better understanding and plan to meet your child’s needs while maintaining your sanity.

12 Common Characteristics of a High-Needs Baby

You may have a high-needs baby if their behaviors are consistently more extreme than other children. Medical experts identify 12 trademark features of a high-needs baby. They are:³

1. Intense Reactions

High-needs babies seemingly overreact to everything with demanding cries, loud protestations, and ravenous feedings. The baby’s feelings are evident in their everyday activities and tense body language.

2. Demanding Behavior

The intensity of a high-needs newborn’s reaction is incredibly demanding on the caregiver. They want now, not in a few minutes. You may feel as though your newborn’s behavior is controlling what you do.

3. Hyperactivity

Being “hyperactive” is a trait with a negative connotation. But for a baby, hyperactivity describes the muscles and mind always being ready to go and rarely willing to sit still or be calm.

4. Sensitive to Everything

A super sensitive, high-needs baby is highly aware of the environment around them. This leads to an easily startled baby who prefers the safety of their environment and is resistant to other caregivers. In addition, they react in a big way when something bothers them.

5. Separation Anxiety

High-needs babies are described as clingy, consistently preferring the comfort of their primary caregiver. New people and new places cause anxiety for the baby. Screaming often ensues when they find themselves in another’s arms.

6. Does Not Want to be Put Down

A high-needs baby only wants to be held and cries when they’re put down. They crave your touch and movement as their safe place. Baby-wearing may become your specialty.

7. Unable to Self-Soothe

Instead of using a pacifier, thumb, or other object to self-soothe, a high-needs baby prefers their caregivers to help them be calm. They need lots of help falling asleep. These babies must learn to trust that their parents will teach them to relax.

8. Difficulty Sleeping

The intensity and hyperactivity of a high-needs infant carry through to the nighttime. Their restlessness is a product of their ultra-sensitive nature and ability to overreact to stimuli. Because they generally crave physical contact and have difficulty self-soothing, high-needs babies don’t transition well into dreamland when they are put down.⁴

9. Not Satisfied

Despite your best efforts, your high-needs baby never seems satisfied, content, or comfortable. As a parent, this can be incredibly frustrating and defeating.

10. Unpredictable and Inconsistent

High-needs newborns are constantly fluid in their likes and dislikes. What worked yesterday does not work today. This is the same for their emotional intensity. Frequent mood swings leave no middle ground between happy and angry.

11. Frequent Feeding

High-needs babies often seek comfort with feeding. Breastfeeding is incredibly comforting. You may find that your baby asks to be fed frequently but only breastfeeds for a few minutes.

12. You Might Feel Drained

Because of the other characteristics, it might feel like high-needs babies require every bit of energy from you, and it never feels like enough. With all the love and energy you pour into your little one, it can feel draining.

What Causes a High-Needs Baby?

It is important to remember that having a high-needs baby is not your fault. We do not know why some babies have more sensitive and reactive temperaments. As with the personalities of children and adults, infants also have different dispositions, with some requiring much more attention than others.

Effects of Being a High-Needs Baby

Some limited research suggests that babies with regulatory behavior problems — excessive crying and issues with sleep and feeding — are at higher risk for developing behavioral problems as they grow.^2,5 Some research has shown an association between an older infant’s 12 month-behavior and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschoolers.⁶

Many high-needs newborns have changes in their temperament as they age, which can be shaped by their environment, early prevention, and interventions for significant issues.⁵

Does a High-Needs Baby Mean Autism?

A high-needs baby does not mean your child has autism or is on the spectrum. Subtle signs of autism can be observed before age 2. These signs generally relate to language development, play with peers and alone, eye contact, response to their name, and repetitive behaviors.⁷

If you are concerned about the signs of autism or your child is at a genetically higher risk for autism, do not hesitate to speak with your pediatrician.

Tips to Cope with a High-Needs Baby

Caring for a high-needs infant can be emotionally and physically taxing for parents and caregivers. Infant feeding and crying difficulties are associated with parental anxiety, depression, and bonding issues.¹ Here are some suggestions for coping with your high-needs infant.

Remember: This Too, Shall Pass

More than likely, your infant’s demands are temporary. As they grow and develop emotionally and physically, they will become more consistent, independent, and communicative. It is hard to recognize this when you are in the thick of it, but relief is on the way.

Give Yourself Grace

Set low expectations for daily tasks. Your baby’s needs will be the priority. Accept that you will have good days and bad days, days when you feel like a failure, and other days that are great successes. Forgive yourself for feelings of guilt, frustration, annoyance, and resentment.

Imagine Life From the Baby’s Point of View

Our perception that a baby should be independent and proficient at self-soothing is an adult desire but not the baby’s reality. They know nothing of this. The child-parent attachment is strong, and infants do not see themselves as separate from their parents.

Be Flexible

Your high-needs baby is unpredictable and inconsistent. So, you must be flexible and fluid with your attempts to comfort and satisfy. Be willing to play a continual game of trial and error. Accept that one technique will work some days, but the next day may require something new.

Learn Your Baby’sLanguage

You will quickly learn that your baby has a language of its own. Focus on the differences in your baby’s fussiness and cries to identify their needs. Try to find some consistency in their likes and dislikes. This will help you react appropriately to their needs sooner.

Have a Basket Full of Tricks

Because of your baby’s vast array of daily likes and dislikes, you must develop various strategies to fulfill their needs or help them relax. Take notes if it helps.

Lean Into Parenthood

Recognize your role as a parent to provide comfort, ensure safety, and guide them even on the most challenging days. While you’ll have tough days, resist the urge to feel like a victim or that your child is doing anything on purpose. Despite their behavior, your baby is only doing what it knows how to do to be comforted or fed.

Seek Support

It is essential to discuss your concerns about your infant’s behavior and advocate for your mental health. Gaining support from your partner, family, or friends can help you get through the most challenging days. Joining a parent community, even a virtual one, will give you an outlet to share your frustrations and commonalities with others.

A high-needs baby can make parenting feel like a black hole, and relief can feel light years away. It is vital for your well-being that you develop stress-coping skills and strategies for meeting your little one’s needs.

Ready to start feeding your little one, or is the intimidation kicking in? The journey of introducing new foods to a baby can be both exciting and challenging. While providing a diverse and nutritious diet is essential, as a mom of two under three, I know firsthand it’s not always easy to get our little ones to embrace unfamiliar flavors. Here, I will share some creative feeding hacks I learned along the way. I hope these yogurt hacks help make the feeding process enjoyable for you and your baby, too!

The Benefits of Yogurt for Babies

Before we dive into some fun feeding hacks using yogurt, you might wonder why we recommend yogurt for babies. Let’s explore why yogurt is an excellent choice for introducing new foods to your baby and why Stonyfield YoBaby yogurt is our favorite option.

1. Nutritional Advantages

Stonyfield YoBaby Organic yogurt has essential nutrients for your baby’s growth and development. Its calcium, vitamin D, and protein support healthy bone development and overall well-being.^1,2,7,8 It’s made without the use of harmful additives, artificial flavors, and preservatives, making it a wholesome and safe choice.

2. Probiotics for Digestive Health

One of the standout features of YoBaby yogurt is the inclusion of probiotics. These beneficial bacteria promote a healthy digestive system, supporting your baby’s gut health.^3,9 Introducing yogurt early can reduce the risk of digestive issues.^4,9

3. Texture and Taste

Babies and toddlers are notoriously picky eaters, but YoBaby yogurt has a smooth texture and delicious taste. The mild and creamy consistency often appeals to young taste buds, making it a favorite among little ones (and parents). The subtle sweetness of yogurt helps ensure that introducing new foods becomes a delightful experience.

Feeding Hacks for Introducing New Foods to Baby

Now that you know all the benefits of yogurt for babies, let’s dive into how you can use yogurt to help introduce new foods to your baby as you embark on your feeding journey.

1. Cereal

Starting with cereal is a common step in a baby’s culinary journey. And rightly so, given its high iron content and ease of preparation.⁵ To make it more appealing, consider mixing baby food cereal with yogurt. Mix one tablespoon of baby food cereal directly into a cup of yogurt. The creamy texture of the yogurt adds a delightful twist, making it more palatable for your little one. Experiment with various YoBaby yogurt flavors to discover your baby’s favorite.

2. Nut Butters

Research shows that introducing peanuts early may help reduce allergy risk.⁶ Experts recommend introducing nuts and peanuts between 4 and 11 months of age. However, whole nuts come with choking hazards, and the stickiness of nut butters poses a challenge when attempting to introduce them to your little one. Mixing a teaspoon of nut butter with a cup of YoBaby yogurt can help thin out the nut butter, making it easier for your little one to enjoy. This is a great way to introduce nut butters to your baby for allergy prevention and boosts flavor!

3. Fruits

Incorporating fruits into your baby’s diet provides many vitamins and minerals. Dice or mash fruits and mix them directly into your YoBaby yogurt cup. Some fruits that you can easily mash up and stir into yogurt include:

• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Peaches
• Plums
• Apricots
• Mangoes

For a refreshing treat, try creating yogurt fruit popsicles (see our instructions below). These frozen delights not only introduce new flavors but also soothe teething discomfort.

4. Veggies

Getting your baby to enjoy vegetables can be daunting. However, blending veggies into a creamy yogurt puree might do the trick. You can also make veggie yogurt bites — a convenient and mess-free way to offer a yummy snack.

Veggie Yogurt Bites

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• Author: Jamie Adams

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Description

Veggie yogurt bites are a mess-free way to offer your baby a tasty snack, combining a variety of vegetables with YoBaby yogurt in one go!

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, broccoli, etc.), steamed and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup YoBaby yogurt
• 2 tablespoons finely grated cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for greasing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a mini muffin tin with a small amount of olive oil.
2. Combine the finely chopped mixed vegetables in a mixing bowl with YoBaby yogurt. If you’re using grated cheese, add it to the mixture, and mix well.
3. Stir in the whole wheat flour and crack in the egg. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until you have a well-combined batter.
4. Add garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings based on your baby’s preferences.
5. Spoon the batter into the mini muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15-18 minutes or until the bites are golden brown and set in the center.
7. Allow the veggie yogurt bites to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Once cooled, these bites can be served directly to your baby. They are a convenient and mess-free way to introduce vegetables and yogurt in a tasty package.

Notes

Feel free to customize the recipe based on your baby’s preferences and dietary needs. These veggie yogurt bites are a great way to encourage your baby to enjoy a variety of vegetables in a fun and manageable form.

Methods for Introducing New Foods to Baby

The versatility of yogurt allows for a variety of ways in which you can introduce foods to a baby. You can try spoon-feeding, dipping, drizzling, and so much more!

1. Bowl Feeding

A visually appealing bowl can make mealtime more exciting for your baby. Arrange different foods colorfully and invitingly. Combine textures like crunchy waffle sticks and soft fruits to create a sensory-rich experience. Allow your baby to dip their favorite foods into the bowl of yogurt, offer them a spoon to dive right in, or drizzle it on top of their food. The versatility of yogurt allows you to experiment with various combinations, ensuring your baby gets a well-rounded meal.

2. Tiny Popsicle Molds

Tiny popsicle molds are not just for warm weather. Use them to create yogurt popsicles with added food items for variety. These frozen treats can be a lifesaver during teething episodes, relieving your baby’s sore gums. The cooling effect and the delicious taste of YoBaby yogurt make this feeding hack a win-win.

All you need is a popsicle mold and a combination of whole fruit and yogurt. Mash up some whole fruit (or puree it in a blender), mix it with a cup of yogurt, pour this into a popsicle mold, and let it sit in your freezer overnight. Play with fruit and yogurt combinations to find your baby’s favorite. Some of our favorites include:

• Mixed berries
• Pineapple mango
• Strawberry banana
• Blueberry peach

3. Mesh Pacifiers

For a mess-free feeding experience, try freezing yogurt in mesh pacifiers. This introduces a new method of consumption and serves as a soothing remedy for teething discomfort. The mesh pacifiers ensure your baby enjoys the yogurt without the risk of choking or making a mess.

Tips for Successfully Introducing New Foods to Baby

As you embark on this journey of introducing new foods to your baby, consider these tips for a smooth and enjoyable experience:

1. Gradual Introduction

Take it slow and introduce one new food at a time. This allows your baby to adjust to flavors and textures without feeling overwhelmed. Watch their reactions and proceed accordingly.

2. Pay Attention to Cues

Every baby is unique, and their preferences may vary. Pay attention to your baby’s cues and expressions during mealtime. This will help you understand their likes and dislikes, allowing you to tailor their meals accordingly.

3. Maintain a Balance

Strive for a balance of flavors and textures in your baby’s meals. Mixing and matching different food groups enhances nutritional value and keeps mealtime interesting for your little one.

Introducing new foods to your baby can be a delightful adventure with the right feeding hacks and the goodness of YoBaby yogurt. Experiment with these creative ideas, pay attention to your baby’s cues and relish the joy of watching them explore the world of flavors. Enjoy this bonding time over meals and create positive associations with nutritious foods.

As you embark on this journey, remember that each baby is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Share your experiences, learn from other parents, and savor the precious moments of discovering your baby’s favorite foods. Happy feeding!

Newborns sleep most of the day away. In their short stints of alertness during the day, many parents simply want to stare into their new baby’s eyes. When observing your little one’s gaze, they may seem cross-eyed. Seeing a cross-eyed baby may worry you.

This may be normal depending on your baby’s age and the frequency you notice your newborn’s eyes crossed. If you are concerned about your newborn with crossed eyes, read on to learn whether your baby is genuinely cross-eyed, when they may grow out of their crossed eyes, and some causes and solutions for cross-eyed babies.

Is My Baby Cross-Eyed?

Babies can sometimes appear cross-eyed even when they are not. If their nose has a wide nasal bridge, this can give the illusion that one eye turns in more than the other. They can also seem cross-eyed if they have an extra fold of skin on the inner eyelid. This extra fold can cover more of the white of the eye, making it appear like your baby has asymmetrical eyes.¹

If it is not the skin or the nose causing your baby to appear cross-eyed, your baby’s eyes may be misaligned or pointing in different directions. Your baby’s eyes may cross only occasionally, or they may always appear crossed. One or both eyes can point in, out, up, or down instead of straight ahead and parallel.²

There are two common causes of what parents describe as “crossed eyes.” The first is when the eyes are actually crossed, which is caused by a problem with the muscles that make the eyes move. The second is more commonly known as a “lazy eye.” A lazy eye can be caused by crossed eyes that are left untreated. It can also happen when the vision is poorer in one eye, so the brain only uses one eye to see, and the other eye becomes “lazy.”^3-16

Is It Normal for My Baby To Be Cross-Eyed?

It can be normal for the eyes of very young babies to cross occasionally. Their eyes and ocular muscles have not had much practice in your dark womb, so they are uncoordinated. But if you are wondering when do babies’ eyes change, the answer is around four months. Your baby’s eyes should straighten out after 4 to 6 months. If they do not align around your baby’s half-birthday, your baby’s uneven eyes may not be normal.²

Cross-Eyed Baby at One Year

A pediatric ophthalmologist should evaluate babies who remain cross-eyed beyond 4 months. If they are still cross-eyed at 1 year of age, they may be diagnosed with strabismus. It is most often diagnosed between the ages of 1 and 4 but rarely can be diagnosed up until the age of 6.²

Your pediatrician should perform regular eye exams at your baby’s well-child visits. These are the best ways to detect any issues with crossed eyes. If the pediatrician notices crossed eyes during an exam of your baby, they may refer you to an eye doctor for further testing and treatment. It is essential to diagnose strabismus early to treat and resolve it.²

What Causes Cross-Eyes in Babies?

Here are some factors that could cause your little one to be cross-eyed:

Prematurity

Premature babies are at risk for retinopathy of prematurity, in which blood vessels grow abnormally in the eye.¹⁷ This condition has been shown to increase the risk of crossed eyes.¹⁸

Family History

People with parents or siblings with strabismus are more likely to have it themselves. This suggests a genetic link to weakened eye muscles.^19,20

Medical Conditions

In some cases of a cross-eyed baby, it is not the eye muscles at fault but the nerves that control those muscles. If your child has suffered a stroke or head injury or has cerebral palsy or Down syndrome, their ocular nerves may struggle to make both eyes focus in alignment, causing crossed eyes. In addition, rare medical conditions may affect your child’s vision, which can lead to the appearance of being cross-eyed or having a “lazy eye” because one eye does not have the same vision as the other.²⁰

Straining

If a child is vision-impaired with near- or far-sightedness, they may compensate by straining to see. This visual straining can cause the eyes to drift apart or misalign and become crossed over time.²¹

How To Naturally Fix Crossed Eyes in Babies

If you notice a cross-eyed baby, remember that this can be normal in the first four months of life. Their eye muscles may need to adjust to the outside world. In these first few months, there are some things you can do at home to strengthen crossed newborn eyes:

Support Visual Development

High-contrast images such as black-and-white cards are easier for your baby to focus on. Expose them to many images and environments.²²

Practice Tracking

Hold an image or toy 8 to 10 inches from your infant’s face; this is the optimal distance for seeing until 4 months old. Slowly move the object from side to side, encouraging your cross-eyed baby to maintain their focus on it. You can also encourage the tracking of objects by moving or turning your baby slowly around a room. This allows them to practice tracking objects and switching focus.²²

Maintain Balance

Alternate the side that you hold your baby to feed, and switch up the side of the crib on which you lay them down to sleep. This allows both eyes to strengthen evenly as your baby looks out and practices seeing equally out of both eyes and turning their head in each direction.²²

When Do Babies’ Eyes Stop Crossing?

While it may be tempting to wait out your baby’s crossed eyes to see if they improve on their own, this will likely make the crossed eyes worse, not better. Children are unlikely to outgrow cross-eyes. As the stronger eye becomes more dominant, the crossed eye can become more prominent and “lazy.” ²⁰

If your baby’s crossed eyes persist beyond four months, mention it to their primary care provider. You may be eager to fix your baby’s crossed eyes, but it is often best to leave this to professionals.

Treatment for a Cross-Eyed Baby

In the most common diagnosis for crossed eyes (strabismus), the treatment is to strengthen the weaker eye. The best way to do this is to suppress vision in the stronger eye, thereby encouraging the child’s brain to work to focus with the weaker eye. You can achieve this using glasses, an eye patch, or glasses. Very rarely, crossed eyes in babies may need surgical repair.²

Often, a young cross-eyed baby is nothing to worry about and will resolve independently. Encourage your baby to focus, turn their head in each direction, and see with both eyes. If your baby’s crossed eyes persist or worsen, or you are concerned, your pediatrician should be able to help you determine the next steps. It is good to pay attention to your baby’s eye alignment, as early discovery and treatment of crossed eyes provide the best outlook for their alignment and vision.²

Attachment is the unique relationship or bond between you and your baby. The quality of this bond can vary, but a secure attachment bond or style with your baby is all about the wordless, emotional exchanges between the two of you that help your baby feel safe and calm.¹ Attachment is a critical factor that underpins how your little one develops socially, emotionally, and even physically.

What Is Secure Attachment?

Does your baby cry when you leave them? Do they quickly recover when you return? They are likely experiencing secure attachment. So, what does that mean? The definition of secure attachment in psychology (developed initially and explored by Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby) explains how a primary caregiver’s sensitivity and responsiveness to their child’s needs create a sense of trust, resilience, and confidence. Attachment theories suggest that when caregivers are aware of and responsive to their child’s needs, the child develops a sense of security. They also learn that they can depend on their caregiver, which creates a secure base that allows them to explore the world around them.¹

This original theory stems from four main types of attachment.¹ While a secure attachment style indicates that your baby feels safe and secure knowing they can depend on you, the other three styles signal an insecure attachment bond. An insecure attachment style can hinder your child’s brain development, impact their mental, emotional, and physical development, and negatively affect their ability to form relationships as they grow.² This arises when caregivers fail to meet their children’s needs, which can happen for various reasons. The three additional attachment styles are:³

1. Ambivalent Attachment

Children who are ambivalently attached can be quite suspicious of strangers and experience intense distress when separated from their primary caregiver. However, their caregiver often does not comfort or reassure them when they return and may reject or be aggressive toward them.

2. Avoidant Attachment

Children who are avoidantly attached typically avoid their caregivers. This might be more noticeable after a period of absence. While they might not outwardly reject their parents’ attention or presence, they don’t actively seek out contact with them or comfort from them. They typically don’t know any preference between their caregiver and a stranger.

3. Disorganized Attachment

Children who experience a disorganized attachment pattern with their parents don’t typically show clear attachment behaviors. They respond to their caregiver in a mixed way; they might be avoidant or ambivalent. They may even seem apprehensive or confused by the presence of their caregiver.

Why Is Secure Attachment So Important?

Developing a secure attachment style with your baby is essential. When you meet their needs for security and safety, it means their nervous system is optimally developed. Secure attachment in infants allows their developing brain to “organize” itself on a foundation of safety.⁴ I know that sounds a little confusing, but your child’s brain develops and starts to make sense of the world by using early experiences to guide it. So, if your child experiences a strong, secure early relationship, they will usually feel safe, have the energy to explore the world around them, and assume they can trust other people.

Your baby or child who experiences a secure attachment style tends to encounter the following benefits:⁴

• Have a healthy sense of self-awareness
• Better equipped to identify their needs, share their feelings, and ask for help or support to get their needs met
• Increased empathy
• Increased feelings of trust (ability to trust others)
• Be more eager, willing, and able to learn (which can increase achievement in school)
• More independent and willing to explore or try new things
• Be more resilient or react better to stressful events
• Have better problem-solving skills
• Experience stronger, more positive relationships
• Have better self-esteem
• Be less likely to experience depression or anxiety

Tips for Creating a Secure Attachment With Your Baby

Considering the massive benefits, it’s essential to understand how to develop a secure attachment style with your little one. Here are some tips for secure attachment parenting:

1. Eat, Sleep, Repeat

This one is a quick win. You will be getting into feeding and sleep routines, and because a secure attachment style with your baby means you are responding to (and are aware of) their needs, this daily activity is already setting you down a good path. As you get to know them, you will start being able to read their cues — “Aha, that’s a cranky, tired cry” versus “That’s their hungry cry.” These form the building blocks of secure attachment, as you will start to follow their cues and respond to their needs.⁵

2. Become a Detective

This one comes with time as you get to know your baby. Their cries might sound similar, but they will show you what they need. You don’t need to get it right 100% of the time, but it’s vital that you pay attention to their facial expressions, postures, etc., try to figure out what they mean, and then respond. Every baby is different, as is their preferred way of being comforted — jiggle them up and down, go somewhere quiet and calm, hold them close and have a cuddle, etc.

You could have a mental checklist of all the possible baby needs and check them off until you get it right. Then, learn from it and try to remember for next time. Remember, babies can cry for complex, inscrutable baby reasons, so sometimes it is about time, patience, and contact with you before they do settle.

3. Look After Yourself

Being stressed, overwhelmed, burned out, etc., makes it harder to be present and engaged with your little one. I know it’s easier said than done when your whole life has been tipped upside down by your new arrival. You might be sleep-deprived, and your relationship with your partner, among other things, could change. But try to ask for help or accept it when it’s offered. Ensure that when you have a chance, you engage in self-care. You could pop the baby in the carrier and do some postpartum safe yoga (once you have had your approval from your postpartum check-up). You could pop in your headphones and listen to an audiobook while you are feeding bub or nap trapped. Just try to sneak in ways to look after yourself.

4. Manage Your Own Emotions

Yes, you will be a big bundle of hormones postpartum, and sometimes, those sleepless nights will make you a bit cranky. However, it’s important to manage your feelings, as our little ones can pick up on our stress and anxiety.⁵ As they feed into your feelings, they will be harder to soothe, exacerbating your stress. It can become a bit of a vicious cycle.

So, find ways to calm down or self-soothe before interacting with your little one. This could be taking a few calm breaths before grabbing them from their crib. Or you could practice progressive muscle relaxation while feeding them or before you get out of bed in the morning. Maybe you could get a stress ball, use calming scent roller balls, get a massage from your partner, or find other nice sensory activities to help you feel calm.

5. Have Fun With Your Baby

It’s essential to make eye contact, laugh, smile, and enjoy your time with your baby. They will pick up on your cues (i.e., that you enjoy being with them) and feel connected to you and comforted by your actions. You aren’t a robot, so don’t force a smile or expect to be 100% happy 100% of the time. But set some time aside each day to really get on their level and connect. Try to time it for when they aren’t tired or overstimulated; otherwise, it can make them more unsettled.

Challenges To Creating a Secure Attachment With Your Baby

There is no rulebook or one-size-fits-all approach to creating a strong and secure attachment by meeting your child’s needs. They are just as unique as we are, and so are their preferences. But other reasons or things happening in your world might affect your ability to create a secure attachment style with your baby. Challenges can come from either the side of the parent or baby. From the parent’s side, these barriers can include:⁶

• Sleep deprivation
• High levels of stress
• Lack of support
• Living in an unsafe environment (either their home or community)
• Depression, anxiety, or other emotional problems (These can impact or make attachment more challenging, but they don’t necessarily equate to insecure attachment. For instance, a parent with
• depression might find it harder to develop a secure bond, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t happen.)
• Adverse childhood experiences, including abuse, neglect, or a chaotic childhood
• Drug and alcohol problems

Babies with the following characteristics may have challenges with secure attachment:

• Some babies have temperaments that are fussier or harder to soothe
• Babies who had problems in utero or during delivery
• Babies who were born premature or had other reasons that led them to be in intensive care
• Those who have been separated from their primary caregiver at birth
• Health issues either at birth or from an early age
• Babies with many caregivers (inconsistent caregivers)

Remember, you don’t have to be a perfect parent to create a secure bond with your baby. All you need to do is try your best and persist. Secure attachment is about quality and your willingness to respond to your child’s needs, even if you don’t get it right 100% of the time. It can even help attachment become secure if you recognize that you haven’t met their need and correct it. This shows your intention to be aware of their needs and your willingness to meet them.

Parenting can be tricky; there is no manual, and it can be complicated and confusing. So, if you are struggling with attachment or bonding with your child, it’s essential to seek support early on so things can get back on track!

Safety is at the top of every parent’s mind. We always want to do everything we can to keep our little ones safe, but sometimes, we don’t know where to start. There is so much to consider. Car seat safety, babyproofing, safe sleep, and more! Luckily, we have Sarah Haverstick, a baby and child safety guru, answering all of our questions. She’s sharing what every parent needs to know about baby safety.

Who is Sarah Haverstick?

Sarah Haverstick is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor, the Safety Advocate for Evenflo, and an instructor in the safe transportation of children with special healthcare needs. She is a former chair of the National Child Passenger Safety Board and current vice chair of the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety. In 2021, she was inducted into the Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame, so she is a big deal in the baby safety world! Sarah has been educating kids and adults on child passenger safety topics for 15 years.

She is a mom to two awesome kiddos (a 3-year-old and a 10-year-old) – and a few fur babies (four cats and two dogs). Rounding out her family is a husband who might not love all the car seats that live in the garage!

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Sarah about all things baby safety! We discuss ​​best practices and life-saving tips for parents while in the car and at home with their little ones. Here are several of the questions that we covered in our conversation:

• What important safety concerns are often unknown or overlooked?
• Babyproofing your home can feel overwhelming as a new parent. How do you recommend parents make their home a safe space for baby?
• Sleep safety is also critical. What are your top safety tips for safe sleep?
• What are the most important things parents need to know about safe transportation for babies in the car?
• What steps can parents take to make sure their children are safe in the car each time they buckle them in?
• What do you recommend parents look for when shopping for safe baby products like cribs, car seats, strollers, toys, and other baby products?
• How can parents stay updated on the latest safety recommendations and guidelines?
• Do you have any personal stories related to baby safety that could help shed light on its importance?
• What is your number one baby safety tip?

We covered so many great safety topics in this episode! Sarah is a pro, and we are so honored to have had her as a guest on our show. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Cheers to keeping our babies safe!

Mentioned in the Episode

• NoHeatstroke.org
• Virtual babyproofing

Sarah’s Resources

• Website: Evenflo
• Sarah’s LinkedIn

The first few months of your baby’s life are a whirlwind of development and growth. As your baby reaches 4 months old, you will see an ever-growing list of milestones, challenges, and new routines. In this article, you will learn about the new aspects of your 4-month-old baby’s life, from milestones to feeding and sleep schedules, health concerns, engaging activities, and safety tips.

What Developmental Milestones Should My 4-Month-Old Baby Meet?

As your baby approaches 4 months, they start reaching new and exciting developmental milestones. The new motor skills they will develop include:¹

• Holding their head up without support
• Holding toys with their hands
• Swinging at toys with their arms when the toy is dangled above them
• Pushing themselves up on their elbows and forearms while on their tummy
• Looking at their hands with interest and bringing them to their mouths

Your baby will also develop new and exciting social skills during their fourth month. These skills include:¹

• Making cooing sounds, such as “aah” or “oooo”
• Repeating sounds back to you
• Smiling to get your attention
• Chuckling when you try to make them laugh
• Moving and making noises to get your attention

What Should My 4-Month-Old’s Breastfeeding Schedule Look Like?

As your baby reaches 4 months old and beyond, their feeds start to space out a bit compared to the first 3 months of their life. Your baby will typically eat 4 to 6 ounces of breast milk or formula every three to four hours at this age.²

During this time, many infants experience a growth spurt and have periods of wanting to feed or breastfeed more often. This can make it difficult to have a consistent feeding or breastfeeding schedule. The frequency of their feedings will space out again after their growth spurt has ended. It is essential during this time to follow your infant’s feeding cues and feed or nurse them as frequently as needed.³

Many parents wonder when they can introduce solid foods to their babies. The introduction of solid foods is typically not recommended until your baby reaches six months old. If you have questions or want to start introducing solid foods sooner than six months, please consult your baby’s doctor.²

What Should My 4-Month-Od Baby’s Sleep Schedule Look Like?

As your baby grows, their sleeping patterns continue to evolve. At this age, your baby will typically sleep 12 to 16 hours daily. Your baby will also take a few naps during the day. They usually take two naps that last around 1 ½ to two hours each. Your baby may take more frequent, shorter naps throughout the day, which is also normal.⁴

If you have not established a bedtime routine, this age is a great time to start. Begin with soothing activities like a calming bath, reading a book, or singing softly to help your baby unwind. As they wind down, you will notice that they become drowsy. It’s recommended to place them in their crib while they are tired but not yet fully asleep. This helps them to learn how to fall asleep on their own.⁴ However, this may not be true for all babies, and some may still require a caregiver’s help to fall asleep.

Another critical aspect of creating a bedtime routine is determining when your baby should sleep for the night. Aiming for a bedtime between 7 and 8 p.m. may be ideal, as putting your baby to sleep later may lead to overtiredness, making it more challenging for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.⁵ But it’s important to remember to follow your baby’s cues, such as yawning or rubbing their eyes, since not all babies require the same bedtime.

What Should My 4-Month-Old Baby’s Daily Schedule Look Like?

As your baby’s schedule becomes more predictable, now is a great time to establish a typical daily schedule. Your daily routine will still revolve around feeding and sleeping, but you can make a more concrete routine.

A sample daily schedule can look as follows:⁵

• 7 a.m.: Morning feeding after waking for the day
• 7-9 a.m.: Playtime
• 9-11 a.m.: Morning nap
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Feeding/playtime
• 1-3 p.m.: Afternoon nap
• 4 p.m.: If not awake from an afternoon nap, awaken and feed
• 4-5 p.m.: Playtime
• 6-7 p.m.: Start bedtime routine/feed
• 7-8 p.m.: Bedtime
• 11 p.m.: Dreamfeed (optional)

Are There Any Health Concerns I Need To Watch Out for in My 4-month-old Baby?

At 4 months old, your baby will have another well-child visit with their pediatrician. At this visit, your pediatrician will monitor their weight gain, perform a physical and developmental exam, and discuss any immunizations your child may need. Your doctor will check to ensure your 4-month-old’s weight is increasing appropriately. On average, most 4-month-old children should have doubled their birth weight and are gaining about 1 to 1 ¼ pounds this month.⁶ Your doctor will compare your infant’s weight at this appointment to their previous weights to see if they are growing as they should.

After your doctor checks your infant’s weight and development, they will discuss the vaccines your 4-month-old is recommended to get. These vaccines include their second dose of the following:⁷

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenza (HiB) vaccine
• Polio vaccine
• Pneumococcal vaccine
• Rotavirus vaccine

Your baby’s 4-month-old well-child visit is the ideal time to discuss any concerns you may have about their development. Some concerns that you want to notify your pediatrician about are:⁷

• Your baby is unable to hold their head up.
• They have not started to babble or mimic sounds.
• They do not respond to your voice.
• They are not able to hold a toy in their hand.
• They show no interest in their hands or can’t bring them toward their mouth.

As your baby grows, they will continue to be exposed to illnesses, and there are some common childhood illnesses you need to be aware of. These include the following:⁸

• Colds with runny nose, sneezing, congestion, cough, and fussiness
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Ear infections
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease causing sores to the mouth and a rash on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet

Many of these illnesses can be treated at home, but it is essential to seek medical care if you have any concerns or any of the following occur:⁸

• A fever lasting longer than three days
• Signs of dehydration such as dry/cracked lips, decreased amount of wet diapers, or decrease in tears
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased irritability or fussiness
• Decreased energy

What Are Some Activities I Can Do With My 4-Month-Old Baby?

At 4 months old, your baby is more alert and active, and playtime becomes more engaging. Here are some ideas for engaging play with your little one:¹

• Talk, read, and sing to your baby
• Play peek-a-boo
• Play on the floor or play mat with your baby
• Let them reach for a colorful toy while you move it around
• Have supervised tummy time
• Give them soft toys to explore, such as rattles or cloth books
• Respond positively when your baby makes and mimics sounds

Safety Tips for Your 4-Month-Old Baby

Maintaining a safe environment is vital for your baby at any age, but even more so now that they are more active and alert. It is crucial to assess your baby’s environment for any safety concerns. Some general safety tips to keep in mind include:⁹

• Make sure you are using the correct size car seat and that it is installed correctly
• Place baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairways
• Never leave your baby unattended, especially with pets or other children

Some general bathing safety tips include:⁹

• Using a slip-resistant infant bathtub
• Filling the bathtub no more than 2-3 inches deep with warm, not hot, water
• Staying within arm’s reach of your baby at all times during bath time

Sleep safety is an often overlooked aspect but is one of the most important safety threats to consider. Providing a safe sleep environment can help reduce the risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. Some sleep time safety tips to remember include:⁴

• Always place your baby on their back to sleep
• Using a firm/flat mattress with a tightly fitted sheet
• Not putting toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, or bumper pads in the crib
• Moving any object your baby can reach from their crib out of the way, including cords, ties, ribbons, or objects on a shelf or dresser

Watching your baby grow in leaps and bounds during this time can be rewarding and exciting for parents. A basic understanding of your child’s development, sleeping and feeding schedule, health concerns, and tips for keeping them safe will help make this time even more fulfilling.

Babies do not come with instructions. Sometimes, new parents need to learn on the fly, and it’s scary when something seems wrong with your baby. Some babies suddenly start crying nonstop, while others may spit up a lot. This article tackles two common conditions: colic and baby reflux. We explain the differences, signs to look for, and some common treatments.

What Are Common Colic Symptoms?

All newborns cry when hungry and usually cry for another one to two hours throughout the day. Babies communicate their needs, like hunger, dirty diapers, and needing comfort by crying.³ However, colic is different and typically defined as prolonged crying for more than three hours a day, three or more days a week for at least three weeks.^1,3 Although crying episodes can happen at any time of the day, they often occur in the evening.⁴ Colicky babies are difficult to console, and crying may last a few minutes to hours.²

In an otherwise healthy baby, common colic symptoms include:^1,2,3

• Their face may turn red when crying
• They may make fists with their hands
• They may bring their legs up to their abdomen
• They may appear to be in pain
• Their belly may be slightly swollen
• Crying that begins suddenly for no apparent reason

What Causes Colic in Babies?

Doctors do not know precisely what causes newborns to have colic, and a lack of answers to explain your baby’s nonstop crying can be frustrating.¹ The good news is colic typically resolves by about 3 to 4 months of age. Symptoms usually begin around two to three weeks after birth and peak when your baby is 4 to 6 weeks old.²

Many believe gas is at least partly to blame for colic, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, this is a common myth. Babies can swallow air that passes through their bodies as gas when they cry. However, this is a normal process and should not be painful. So, when considering whether your baby may have colic vs. gas, remember that all babies pass a lot of gas. Since colicky infants have increased crying (and therefore swallow more air), they may pass more gas.³ Other sources, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, still list “gas pains” as a potential contributing factor to colic.^1,2

Other possible factors include:²

• Feeding too much or too little
• Overstimulation
• Intolerance to formula or breastmilk
• Immature gastrointestinal system
• Emotional response to their surroundings

Although there is no test to diagnose colic, your doctor will complete a physical exam and health history. They may order diagnostic work like lab tests or X-rays to rule out a more severe diagnosis, as colic is a diagnosis of exclusion.¹

Are There Any Baby Colic Treatments?

Baby colic is common, but because the cause is unknown and likely multifactorial, treatment consists of avoiding potential triggers and comforting your baby.² Parents may experiment with trial and error to determine what works best. However, despite a parent’s best efforts, a baby is sometimes inconsolable. If there is no other medical reason for the crying, a colicky baby can rock any parent’s nerves, leaving them exasperated and exhausted. Babies who cry a lot are at risk for shaken baby syndrome; never shake a baby. If you become overwhelmed, ask for help or place your infant safely in a crib without extra blankets or toys and walk away (to another room) for 10 minutes. Shaking a baby can lead to death or life-long disability.⁵

To help a colicky baby, you can try:^1,2,3

• Skin-to-skin contact or swaddling your baby
• Rocking or singing to your baby
• Walking your baby in a stroller
• Going for a drive with your baby in a car seat
• Talking to your provider about feedings, as they may suggest a change
• Using a slow-flow nipple if your baby bottle feeds too fast
• Using white noise and a dimly lit room
• Giving your baby a warm bath or a massage
• Giving your baby a pacifier

Some over-the-counter medicines, such as simethicone drops, may help relieve gas, but always ensure it is okay with your pediatrician first. Colic may be a symptom of baby reflux, and your provider may recommend a different option.^1,2

What Causes Reflux in Babies?

It is normal for your baby to spit up because their gastrointestinal system is still developing. Some babies spit up more than others. Spitting up is also called baby reflux. Other names include gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and acid reflux. Baby reflux happens when the stomach contents (like milk) come back up the esophagus (feeding tube) and out the mouth or both the mouth and nose as spit-up. Normally, food is kept in the stomach by the lower esophageal sphincter, but when the structure is still developing, sometimes it opens, letting food and stomach acid back up.^6,7,8,10,11

You may notice your baby spitting up at 2-3 weeks old. Reflux is not usually a cause for concern if your baby is otherwise doing well and gaining weight. Most babies will outgrow reflux as their bodies develop by 12 months.^7,11

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is different. GERD occurs when a baby’s reflux impacts other areas of their health, like weight gain and breathing. GERD can happen in younger infants and older children.¹¹ GERD in babies may also resolve as they grow and mature, have better head control, and are introduced to solid foods.⁷ If your baby is diagnosed with GERD, you may need to see a specialist. Treatment recommendations can vary depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms.^6,7,11

What Are Common Acid Reflux Symptoms?

Spitting up is usually the first symptom of reflux and GERD in babies. GERD can cause other issues. Contact your pediatrician if you notice any of the following symptoms:^6,9,11

• Increased irritability during and after feedings
• Arching their back when crying
• Vomiting
• Gagging
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomit that is green, yellow, red, or brown
• Poor feeding
• Not gaining weight

What About Silent Reflux Symptoms?

Silent reflux is aptly named. Babies swallow their regurgitated stomach contents and may not spit up much, if at all. However, symptoms of silent reflux in babies often overlap with GERD symptoms.¹² Talk to your pediatrician if you think your infant may be suffering from silent reflux.

Are There Any Treatments for Reflux in Babies?

Babies are prone to reflux because they drink an all-liquid diet and spend much of their time lying down. Your health provider may recommend diet changes if your baby’s reflux symptoms are concerning. So you may wonder, does milk help acid reflux? Formula-fed children may do better on another type of formula. Sometimes, doctors recommend adding a little rice cereal to your baby’s milk.⁸

If your baby is not gaining weight or has other complications related to GERD, your provider may consider prescribing a medication for treatment. However, while these medications are available over the counter, parents should not give this medicine to a child without a doctor’s prescription.

Other non-pharmacologic things you can do to combat the symptoms of GERD include:¹¹

• Do not bounce your baby after feeding
• Hold your baby upright for 20-30 minutes after a feed
• Burp your baby after every 1-2 ounces of feed or after each breast
• Do not overfeed your baby

How Can I Tell the Difference Between Colic and Reflux?

When wondering if your baby may have colic vs. reflux, consider the following:

• Babies with colic and GERD are usually otherwise healthy
• Babies with colic cry for no apparent reason
• Babies with GERD may cry because of pain
• Babies with colic may or may not be spitty
• Babies with reflux spit up often
• Babies with colic may or may not have reflux
• Babies with GER or GERD may or may not have colic
• The cause of colic is unknown
• The anatomical cause of reflux is known (poor lower esophageal sphincter tone)
• Colic usually resolves by 3 to 4 months of age
• Reflux may resolve closer to one year

Talk to your provider if you believe your baby may have colic or reflux. Your doctor will want to rule out other conditions. Remember, you are not alone, and your provider should provide a better understanding of your baby’s situation. Some of our suggestions may also help during this challenging time.