Aricia reaches an exciting milestone around week 10 as she begins to respond to her name. A sign of recognition may just be a widening of her eyes when she hears you say her name. This development can be exciting, but don't be surprised if it takes many more weeks before her response is consistent.
Aricia's eyesight is continuing to improve and she is now able to track an object with her eyes from one side to directly in front of her face. She may even continue following it all the way to the other side for a full 180 degrees. She is also able to pick your face out of a group by now. When she sees you, she will fixate on your face, her eyes will widen and shine, and she may wave her arms with excitement.
When your arms need a short break, or when Aricia needs a little down-time, try placing Aricia in an infant seat or swing. She is now strong enough to sit in this semi-reclined position, especially when propped with a small pillow or rolled receiving blanket. However, be sure these objects are not placed near her head where she could turn her face into them and suffocate. While her neck and back have grown significantly stronger in the past few weeks, her head is still wobbly, so continue to provide support.
A Tip from the Trenches
If you have an older child, he or she may be eager to help with the new baby sometimes and not others. Always ask if she would like to help, never insist, and be sensitive to times she is not in the mood. Never give a young child more responsibility than she can handle; this can make the child feel overwhelmed, pressured, and resentful of you and/or the new baby. However, giving an older child appropriate opportunities to help will make her feel more a part of the family and less abandoned when you have to focus on Aricia and not on her.
There are many opportunities for the older sibling to help you with your new baby. But keep it simple. If your older child is a toddler, she can fetch you a diaper, a box of wipes, or open the diaper pail for you. A three-year-old may enjoy making funny faces to entertain Aricia. A four or five-year-old can sing Aricia a song, pick out an outfit for Aricia to wear, or help bathe Aricia. An older child can read to Aricia, hold a bottle, or help feed Aricia. Remember to always supervise interaction between your children, especially if the older child is still young.
Aricia's eyesight is continuing to improve and she is now able to track an object with her eyes from one side to directly in front of her face. She may even continue following it all the way to the other side for a full 180 degrees. She is also able to pick your face out of a group by now. When she sees you, she will fixate on your face, her eyes will widen and shine, and she may wave her arms with excitement.
When your arms need a short break, or when Aricia needs a little down-time, try placing Aricia in an infant seat or swing. She is now strong enough to sit in this semi-reclined position, especially when propped with a small pillow or rolled receiving blanket. However, be sure these objects are not placed near her head where she could turn her face into them and suffocate. While her neck and back have grown significantly stronger in the past few weeks, her head is still wobbly, so continue to provide support.
A Tip from the Trenches
If you have an older child, he or she may be eager to help with the new baby sometimes and not others. Always ask if she would like to help, never insist, and be sensitive to times she is not in the mood. Never give a young child more responsibility than she can handle; this can make the child feel overwhelmed, pressured, and resentful of you and/or the new baby. However, giving an older child appropriate opportunities to help will make her feel more a part of the family and less abandoned when you have to focus on Aricia and not on her.
There are many opportunities for the older sibling to help you with your new baby. But keep it simple. If your older child is a toddler, she can fetch you a diaper, a box of wipes, or open the diaper pail for you. A three-year-old may enjoy making funny faces to entertain Aricia. A four or five-year-old can sing Aricia a song, pick out an outfit for Aricia to wear, or help bathe Aricia. An older child can read to Aricia, hold a bottle, or help feed Aricia. Remember to always supervise interaction between your children, especially if the older child is still young.
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