Your Baby Week 29
Every week your little one may be more and more eager to communicate with strangers. You may see him smiling at people in line at the grocery store or waving to people as they pass on the street.
Your baby is also growing stronger and stronger each week. He may be showing signs of frustration when he can’t do the things he would like to do. And though you may want to do all you can to encourage your baby in his quest for adventure, the use of walkers, a common baby item of the past, is no longer recommended. Though walkers allow children to strengthen their lower leg muscles, it does not strengthen muscles in the thighs and hips. Walkers have also been found to be a safety hazard because they can tip easily, especially down stairs. Your baby could also use a walker as a step ladder to reach things that are off limits, like the top of the stove or shelves with heavy items that could topple on top of him, all of which can lead to serious injury.
Safety Precautions
Now that your little one seems to be getting into everything and anything, you may want to double check your baby-proofing.
- Move drapery and blind cords out of their reach
- Pad or replace furniture with sharp corners
- Lock all cabinets at their level that contain hazardous or sharp items, like cleaning supplies or knives
- Be sure all medications are out of their reach
- Cover electric outlets
- Use safety gates at the tops and bottoms of staircases and in the entrances to all rooms you want them to stay out of
Interviewing a Caregiver
The time may have come for you to start interviewing caregivers. Some parents are lucky enough to have a trusted family member who is available to watch their child, but there still may be times when you need to look for a new babysitter to stay with your child. When searching for a new caregiver, it’s best to ask around. Other parents with infants at a similar age probably have the name of a babysitter that they trust and would be happy to recommend.
It’s important to have potential caregivers over for an interview and also so you can see how they interact with your child. When interviewing the babysitter, try alternating open-ended questions like, “What do you enjoy most about babysitting?” with more direct questions such as, “Are you certified in CPR?” so you can get a feel for both their personality and their training. Once you have found a new sitter that you feel comfortable with, you may want to have them over to watch your baby for an hour or two while you tend to chores in the house or in the yard. This way, if they have any questions for you, you are easy to find and you can see if your child enjoys their time with them. If you do hire them for an evening when you and your partner are out of the home, be sure that emergency numbers are posted and don’t hesitate to call and check in if you need to!
