Your Baby Week 13
Your infant is becoming stronger and stronger each week! You have probably noticed that she holds her head up longer during tummy time and may even be able to hold some weight in her legs when you hold her in a supported standing position. Balancing however, is months away! She is probably laughing out loud when you play with her or bring her favorite toy to her.
Speaking of her favorite toy, by week 13, she may be batting at her toys when they come into her field of vision, or she may even be picking up that toy for herself! Not only is she picking that toy up, she is probably inspecting it thoroughly, with her eyes and her mouth!
Sweet Relief!
She may finally be sleeping through the night, or at the very least, longer portions of the night! If not, don’t despair. Following a daily routine and making sure to get in plenty of feeds during the day can encourage night sleeping. However, some kids take longer to hit this milestone than others. Get rest when you can, and hang in there!
Teething
It may surprise you to know that teething can start long before you can see any teeth trying to poke their way out of your baby’s gums. So even though you may not see her first tooth until she is 6 months old, she may be feeling it now. Some babies glide through teething without a tear, but others experience pain, dribbling and red cheeks.
Teething rings are a great comfort during these times. They are most effective when cooled off in the refrigerator. And be sure to pat your little one’s mouth dry if they dribble a lot. This will prevent their skin from getting sore. Your pediatrician may recommend a pain reliever to help during this time as well. Don’t use any medications without first discussing them with your pediatrician, including those billed as “natural”.
Breastfeeding your Teething Baby
Ouch! Breastfeeding may have been uncomfortable for you to begin with and now you have teeth to contend with! Keep the tips below in mind to help make breastfeeding a less harrowing experience if your infant tries to bite you...
- Immediately take her off the breast. If you continue to do this, she will begin to associate biting with interruptions to her meal.
- If she bites, instead of pulling her away, pull her closer to the breast, gently, so that she is forced to breath out of her mouth. If her nose is pushed into your breast, she will have to open her mouth in order to breathe, and you will escape those tiny teeth with less discomfort.
Your baby’s first tooth however, doesn’t have to mean the end of breastfeeding. Most infants who try biting will quickly learn that it ends meals. This is usually enough reason for them to stop.
