Your Baby Week 44
Can you believe that your little one is almost a year old? Over the past ten months, amazing changes have taken place. Once completely dependent on you, your baby may now be able to get around on his own, speak a few words or otherwise find ways to communicate his wants to you and other caregivers. In short, your baby is becoming more and more of an individual every day.
Bowlegs
As you child begins to stand and walk more and more frequently, you may have noticed that their legs are bowed. This is common for most children under the age of two. If bowlegs are common for adults in your family however, you may want to speak to your baby's pediatrician about the bowing. Occasionally, even in families where bowlegs are not common, a pediatrician may note an abnormality in your child’s legs. In most cases, however, bowing is completely normal. The bones and muscles in the legs of children under the age of two are weak, but as they grow, they will strengthen and their legs with straighten out.
Chipped Teeth
As your baby becomes more mobile, crawling, wiggling and climbing all over the place, they are more prone to spills and tumbles. Sometimes these accidents may lead to a chipped tooth. Most chips aren’t a big deal, especially in a set of teeth that will eventually fall out. However, if you notice any of the following, it’s best to call a dentist.
- Sharp edges on the chipped tooth
- Any pain
- Any tooth that has shifted position
- Obvious infection, or swollen gums which can indicate infection
- Pink spots in the middle of the tooth, which can indicate nerve damage
Some of these problems can occur days after the tooth is chipped, so be sure to keep monitoring the situation. Though these teeth will eventually fall out, nerve damage or a tooth that has shifted position can permanently affect any adult teeth that are developing under your child's gums.
Reading Labels
When your child transitions to adult foods, it’s important for caregivers to start reading food labels. Even if prepackaged food looks healthy, the only sure way to know is to take a look at the nutritional information on the package. It’s best to look for foods that are made without fat, saturated fats or oils. Remember, most healthy snacks for your baby probably won’t come prepackaged. If you are looking for something quick and healthy, the produce aisle is a good place to start!
