Wonder Week 26

Your baby will become more coordinated during this developmental leap. Your baby will also be able to tell distance between one object and another. This new discover can be shocking to an infant and make them feel very small or out of control because they can not reach for the toy they want or their mom is too far away from them- hence the fussiness begins. He will need lost of assurance from you (the parents) and help to reach objects as he develops the skills himself to reach and obtain what he is after. This fussy periods usually lasts about 4 weeks, but can be as short as 1 week and also long as 5 weeks. The Chart on page 12. Shows this developmental fussy period starting as early as week 23 and lasting until the end of week 26.

It should also be noted that even after fussy phase is over, during weeks 29-30, your child may become a little fussy again. This short fussy phases is a mini bout of separation anxiety from mommy or daddy. They are still learning the concept of distance and don’t like to be separated long from their mom or dad.

Signs to be on the look out for…

• sleep poorly
• might have nightmares (see them trash, toss, and turn a lot in their sleep)
• shy
• demand more attention and always want to be with you
• loose appetite (may refuse to eat foods they once ate without a problem)
• stop making familiar sounds or lay around motionless, gazing or staring
• does not like to have his diaper changed
• want a cuddly toy, binkie, or comfort object more often

New skills your baby is acquiring…

• discovering distance between objects
• understand the concepts of  outside, on top, above, next to, underneath, in between, etc.
  
• cause and effect relationships (ex. flip switch light goes on)
• relates sounds with objects or situations (ex. key in the door means daddy is home, scratching at the door means the dog wants to come in)
• learn when something is out of the ordinary (your drop the milk carton, the glass falls off the table)
• coordinate the movements in his body better. Some babies learn to sit up, other learn to crawls, etc.

What you can do to help…

• help your child know you are not abandoning them. Most children’s separation anxiety peaks at around 29 weeks.
• keep talking to your baby if you leave the room
• tell your baby you are leaving the room and slowly walk away
• if your baby is crawling, give him things to crawl around, under, through, etc.
• allow your baby to put objects and toys in different locations, such as under, in, on top of….you can use a box to encourage this skill
• give him a toy or object that can be taken apart. This will facilitate an understanding of relationships to the whole. (ex. stackable bowls)
• help your baby practice a new skill such as sitting up, crawling, or rolling over
• Give your baby small object to pick up- this will help him develop the skill of pinching an object with his thumb and forefinger
• use short sentences with clear and obvious gestures
• let him see, smell, feel, taste, and touch the things you are talking about

Game & Toys…

• peek-a-boo (with a blanket, behind furniture)
• hide-and-seek (with toys, baby, in bathtub)
• look at picture books together
• songs and movement games- sing sounds and do different movements to the song
• physical games that involve sitting, standing, or flying through the air
• cupboard game- give your baby a cupboard in the kitchen that he can access and play with the things inside it. Plastic cups, bottle, or Tupperware are good items for baby to play with.
• swimming
• visit a petting farm or zoo
• cardboard boxes and egg cartons
• wooden spoons and blocks
• stacking cups
• balls
• picture books
• photo book
• CD with children songs
• Bath toys- things that fill and empty out
• toy cars with wheels that spin and doors that open
• squeaky toys
• drums
• toy pianos
• toy telephone

After the leap…

Between week 30-35 your baby will be easier to manage, in a better mood, and more independent. One mom wrote, “My baby is cheerful, and he can occupy himself pretty well on his own with his toys. Everything’s still going fine at day care. He reacts in a friendly way to other children. He is a cute little guy, and he’s much more his own little person. (p.192)”

Personal Experience…

During this developmental leap he was very fussy. He needed my attention more often and he lost his appetite, did not eat solids or nurse well. His nighttime sleep and naps were touchy as well. My son is 29 weeks now so we are not totally out of this developmental leap. I will add more to this post once he is a little older. In the meantime, check out our family blog. I wrote more about my personal experience with wonder week 26 there. http://cbfoley.com/2009/03/24/teething-and-wonder-week-26/

Other Blogs about Wonder Week 26

http://skiplovey.com/?p=143

Please leave a comment if you have read this blog. I am hoping that other moms will leave thier experiences with thier babies during this wonder week. I think your personal experiences will help other moms get through each of the developmental leaps!