Baby

The colors in your baby’s sight are changing gradually. The world was first in black, white and shades of grey, but now more and more colors are added. Your baby can also follow more and more objects with both eyes.

Your baby is now sleeping an average of 17 hours a day, but a few hours of sleep more or less is also fine. The awake period in between sleeps is now about three quarters of an hour to one hour. You will still have to get out of bed at night for one or two feedings. It is therefore wise to go to bed early or get some rest during the day when your baby is sleeping.

Babies mainly process all stimuli when they are sleeping. This can sometimes be so fierce that they are startled by their own waving arms. Tuck your baby in with a sheet stretched tightly over its arms and tucked under the mattress. This swaddling method provides a safe and secure feeling and restricts the arms. Just like when it was inside your belly.

Mom

Your baby will increasingly seek contact and will love it when you talk to or cuddle him or her for long periods. Skin to skin contact will help your baby grow and relax.

Pumping

If you are breastfeeding, then it is a good idea to start pumping and practicing with a bottle. Your baby now knows very well how to drink from the breast and will not confuse this with the technique of drinking from a bottle. These techniques are quite different and in the beginning that can be a problem. It might be a good idea to ask someone else to bottle feed your baby and to move out of sight. If you are giving the bottle yourself, your baby will prefer milk from the original packaging!

Spoiling

Many people are worried they are spoiling their baby too much. Don’t worry, you cannot spoil your baby too much. Once you learn to understand your baby, you will notice that he or she will indicate what he/she needs. Your baby won’t think: “Hey, when I cry, I get my way.’’ What’s more: they can’t even make this connection. So if your baby is hungry before you think it’s time for a feeding, then it is no problem to feed it. This also counts if you are bottle feeding. In this way you meet your baby’s needs and it learns that you are there for him or her when he or she needs you.