Recently Recieved Baby Info (E-Newsletters & Articles)
The Twenty-Second Week In Your Baby's Development
Hi, Jeannette! Try to engage Katelyn in activities that involve all of her senses. To stimulate her sense of touch, give her pieces of fabric of different textures, such as velvet, wool, and satin. Babies at this age love imitating sounds and making faces, so sing songs and laugh with Katelyn. Find an animal book and make the sound the animal makes when you look at the pictures and let her see the expressions on your face. This game will also help Katelyn learn to communicate. Baby play mats will entertain Katelyn while she learns about the world and her effect on it. Katelyn will love to discover hidden images in peek-a-boo books made for her little hands, and finding these items will stimulate her mind. Your interaction will encourage Katelyn to learn because it means spending quality time with you. Nurture your baby's brain.
Your New Baby
At five months old, babies usually range from 23.5 inches long and 12.25 pounds (10th percentile) to 26.5 inches long and 17 pounds (90th percentile).
Many babies at this age begin to show an interest in solid foods. Katelyn may watch you intently while you eat and try to reach for some of what you have. This is one indication that she may be ready to try some solid foods. Other signs include sitting well while supported, holding her head steady, and losing the "extrusion reflex," which causes her to push food out of her mouth.
Katelyn is probably conducting some new experiments such as dropping her toys on the ground to find out what sounds they make when they land. To help sharpen her auditory skills and encourage her interest in the world around her, try pointing out a plane flying overhead, or an ambulance speeding down the street.
If you place a small object on the floor, Katelyn might be able to rake it towards her with her hands. Just make sure you stick close to Katelyn to make sure that the item doesn't end up in her mouth or that the object doesn't pose a choking hazard.
Is Katelyn still not sleeping through the night? Believe it or not this is normal. Even as adults we awaken several times a night, but we learned at some point to put ourselves back to sleep. Until your baby learns how to put herself back to sleep, you will, unfortunately, be awakened to lend a hand.
Babies around this age also love faces - even their own. Try placing an unbreakable baby mirror in the crib; or if you don't have a baby mirror, trying putting Katelyn on the floor in front of a mirror. For a few minutes at a time Katelyn may be her own entertainment. She has no idea that she is looking at her own reflection - that revelation will come much later. For now it's just a new adorable baby face that's fun to look at.
Your Journal
Jeannette, has Katelyn had any teeth pop through? Have you noticed signs of teething, such as excessive drooling? Cutting her first teeth is an exciting milestone for your little one. Document the week that the first tooth appears and how Katelyn handles teething-for some babies it's a piece of cake, while for others it's a long, painful ordeal. Write now.
Be sure to add all your new baby pictures to your photo album and share with your friends and family.
A Quote Worth Repeating: We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open. ~ Harry Edwards
This Week's E-poll: If applicable, is your company family-friendly?
A Tip from the Trenches
Many babies are lulled to sleep by the movement and hum of a moving car - making car trips a great idea. However, as Katelyn gets older and is increasingly active, she may not want to sit still in her car seat for very long. If you are having problems getting through even a short trip in the car, try the following tips for keeping Katelyn occupied and happy:
Hang toys from the clothes hooks in the back seat using ribbons or yarn (no longer than 12 inches).
Tape some pictures to the back of the front seats, so they face Katelyn.
Attach some toys to Katelyn's car seat using elastic or short string. She can enjoy the toys without requiring retrieval every 10 seconds.
Cover Katelyn's car seat with a beach towel or a seat cover to prevent the metal parts of the car seat from getting hot in the sun and burning her. A blanket is also great in winter to cover the cold, brittle plastic.
Babies don't like the sun in their face any more than we do, so block the sun with window shades in the back seats.
***
Ready for Solids? The 3 Signs
As your baby nears the four-month marker,another famous first is quickly approaching: Your baby's first taste of solid food! (okay, mushy food!) Although cultural and generational habits vary (your mother may tell you that you started chowing down at two weeks of age), most pediatricians suggest that you introduce cereals and purees when your baby is between four and six months old. If your baby or anyone in your family has allergies or sensitivities to food, you'll want to wait until the six-month mark, and then tread carefully when the solids start, following the advice of your pediatrician. How can you tell when your baby is ready to plunge into the world of solid foods?
Watch for these three signs:
Head held high. While your baby doesn't need to be able to sit independently in order to expand her culinary repertoire, she does need to be able to hold her head up well on her own, and sit - supported - without slumping over.
Tongue untied. See if she'll accept a spoon. In young babies, the tongue-thrust reflex helps keep foreign objects out of their mouths, and if she's not ready to be spoon-fed, she might push out that spoon coming her way - even one that's laden with yummy bananas or tasty rice cereal. Once she outgrows the tongue-thrust reflex, she'll be able to eat solids more successfully.
Eager eyes. A baby who's ready for solids may show great interest in grown-ups' meals - she may even try to grab herself a bite right off your plate!
***
Baby's First Holiday Season By Heather K. Scott
For parents of new babies gearing up to celebrate this holiday season, a little extra planning can help them rejoice while circumventing holiday stress.
The winter holiday season is a beautiful time to share with friends and family. For parents of new babies, this is an exceptionally precious time. Despite the warmth of the season, the holidays can sometimes be stressful-even for families without new babies. With a little extra planning, you can rejoice while relaxing in your new family environment. The advice that new parents as well as seasoned veterans dispense, is nearly always, "Keep things simple; do what you feel is best and don't worry about making everyone happy." Easier said than done, right? Not necessarily.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
To travel or not to travel is truly dependent on how you, as new parents, feel. If you are up to the adventure, pack the diaper bag and your suitcases and take to the air, rails, or highway with your little one.
If you are considering air travel, first check with your pediatrician. Baby's ears are still developing, and flight can sometimes be painful. You and your doctor can decide what age is best for your child to experience her first plane trip.
Some airlines offer free passage to babies if they sit on your lap. Others offer fares at a discount for infants in their own seat (with a car seat). Contact your travel agent or airline and ask about current regulations regarding car seats, bassinets, and diaper changing facilities-some airlines supply all of these added amenities. Also inquire about pre-boarding procedures and if you will be able to board your stroller in the cabin, or if you may check it at the gate and have it brought to you shortly after landing.
Air travel is very dehydrating. Pack your carry-on bag with plenty of water and milk or formula for you and your baby. Also, drinking during ascent and descent will help your little one's ears pop, making this rough part of travel easier on her (and your fellow passengers).
Taking the train is a second travel option, and may be less overwhelming than air travel with a baby. Amtrak offers family or bedroom sleepers for longer train trips at costs comparable to flying (coach seats cost much less). However, train travel is best only for those families without a pressing schedule-it takes longer to reach the destination (a four-to-five hour plane trip from the Midwest to the West Coast translates into a two day trip by train).
If you are taking to the roads during the holiday season, be sure to double check the installation of your car seat. Most local fire and police stations will install your seat free of charge, or double check your installation. You can also visit your car's dealership for help in positioning and securing your car seat. If you are taking an extended trip, be sure to have your car fully serviced before departure. And before leaving the house, check current weather conditions and pack emergency gear and blankets in your trunk-it never hurts to be prepared for any possible crisis.
House-Hopping
If you live in close proximity to your extended family, travel during the holidays may be as simple as setting a schedule. Katy Leder-Holmes, a Wisconsin mother of one, lives only hours away from her parents. "We plan on spending Christmas Eve with one set of grandparents and Christmas Day with the other," she says. "Thanksgiving weekend will be divided up as well-this will keep all the grandparents happy."
Sometimes you can spend part of the holiday with relatives nearby, and still fit in a long-distance trip to visit the other side of the family. "Last year, we spent Christmas with [my husband's] side of the family and then flew to Florida to spend five days with my parents around New Year's Eve," says Julie VanderZanden-Iris from Wisconsin, of her first holiday with her son Jordan.
You can also consider setting up an unconventional schedule-spend Thanksgiving with one family, Christmas with the other, and the following holiday season by yourselves. Elizabeth White-Jones of California, mother of 17-month-old Ella says, "I think it is best to trade off with one of the holidays and take the other one off from the family altogether."
A favorite solution for many new parents is to host their own holiday gathering. This provides the opportunity to forego travel of any kind during this busy season. Molly and Trevor Tuttle of California live hundreds of miles from their closest relative. They plan to celebrate their first holiday with their son Maxwood at home. Rather than trying to fit in several trips to visit relatives, they instead look forward to inviting family over for a small and intimate gathering.
Establishing Your Own Family Traditions
If you come from differing faiths, the holidays may be extremely complicated; however, if you and your spouse were able to transcend your faiths and commit to spending your lives together, you can also find a way to compromise during the holidays. Consider celebrating both holidays-buy a Christmas tree and light a menorah, sing Christmas carols and play Dreidl. As your child grows, you can explain to him the differences between your faiths and how your family will handle the holidays-but for this first year, your baby will just be happy to share in the festivities and be close to you and your spouse.
There are many fun secular family traditions you can begin even now with your baby. Taking a yearly family photo, making annual footprints and handprints, or starting a holiday journal or scrapbook are all ways to introduce tradition and ritual to your baby. A record of your family's evolution-and her growth-will be a precious gift she'll enjoy for years to come.
If you are planning to share gifts with your older baby, consider wrapping her packages with extra paper and let her have fun ripping it off. The colorful paper is a wonderful tactile experience. Help her safely play with the wrapping and keep a careful watch in case she should try to eat the paper.
Overzealous Relatives
Perhaps your child is blessed with loving grandparents-who may also be a little overzealous around the holiday season. Some new parents politely request that grandparents skip gift-giving this first year and instead help with practical items such as diapers, baby food, bottles, or blankets. Others suggest educational toys, or even donations for future college funds rather than traditional toys.
After the holidays have passed, let your baby experience each new toy alone first before introducing a new one. You may wish to leave one or two toys out and box up the rest. Over the next months, periodically switch out one of her older toys and introduce a new one.
Family and love are the foundations of the winter holiday season-this is especially true when a new baby is at the center of attention. Sometimes the extra doting can be over-stimulating for little ones. It may also trigger stress for you and your partner as relatives extol advice on everything from how often to feed your baby to bedtime and bathtime rituals. Don't be afraid to politely tell well-meaning relatives that although you appreciate their help, you and your partner have established routines that work for your baby.
Try to retain the basics of your child's feeding, bathing, and sleep schedule. Check for the tell-tale signs of fatigue and over-stimulation (ear-pulling, excessive crying, restlessness, and so on), and if you notice your baby becoming agitated, remove yourselves from the festivities and temporarily escape to a quiet place. You can even make a "Do not disturb" or "Shh . . . baby sleeping" sign and hang it on your baby's door to remind your guests that there is a baby napping nearby. If you are planning to visit family or friends, ask ahead if you can use a spare room for such a purpose.
Holiday Safety
Depending on your baby's age during the holiday season, you may need to take extra precautions to ensure his safety around decorations, plants, and food.
If your little one is already crawling, you'll need to chaperone him at all times. Be sure to set hot food well away from curious hands; you can even keep your child in his high chair or in a baby carrier during dinner time. Keep lit menorahs on high surfaces and regularly check your Christmas tree to make sure it is securely anchored within its stand. Many accidents occur this time of year when parents are distracted by family visitors, holiday festivities, and decorations. If you feel overwhelmed, enlist the help of another family member or a friend to take turns watching over your baby with you.
Don't succumb to the idea that you need to do anything to make other family members happy. No matter how you spend this first holiday with your new baby-whether you opt to travel, host your own family gathering, share gifts, or stay home, remember that this is your time-your new family's first holiday together. Relax and revel in the beautiful new life you and your spouse are sharing together during this special season.
***
Language Development in Five-Month-Old By Dr. Karen Sadler
Q: My five-month-old is not making the raspberries and some of the other sounds most babies make at his age. He coos, makes vowel sounds, laughs, squeals, rolls over in both directions, reaches for objects, and can creep across the floor, but I'm concerned about his language development.
A: I'll outline for you the language skills that should fall into place between four and seven months. It includes both the receptive speech skills (the ability to understand language) and the expressive skills (the ability to use language to communicate). Keep in mind that each child is different, so what one child can do at four months, another may not be able to do until six or seven months. A four to seven-month-old should be able to:
* Respond to his/her name
* Begin to respond to 'no'
* Respond to the emotional component of language---show by his reaction that a stern word has a different impact than that same word spoken gently
* Begin to 'talk back' with sounds that rise and fall like human speech
* Begin to use simple consonants strung together several times to 'babble'
If your son's skills fall into this range, then his speech probably is within normal limits. If not, he should be evaluated for hearing and other problems, especially as he gets closer to seven months.
{Dr. Karen Sadler (Pediatrics) Dr. Karen Sadler is a board certified pediatrician who has been working in the Boston area for thirteen years. She completed her medical studies at Harvard Medical School in 1988 and went on to her residency at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston. The mother of three, Dr. Sadler is committed to healthcare for the underprivileged, as well as medical education. She is an associate instructor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine and sits on numerous committees including the Massachusetts State Women Infant Child Program.}
Hi, Jeannette! Try to engage Katelyn in activities that involve all of her senses. To stimulate her sense of touch, give her pieces of fabric of different textures, such as velvet, wool, and satin. Babies at this age love imitating sounds and making faces, so sing songs and laugh with Katelyn. Find an animal book and make the sound the animal makes when you look at the pictures and let her see the expressions on your face. This game will also help Katelyn learn to communicate. Baby play mats will entertain Katelyn while she learns about the world and her effect on it. Katelyn will love to discover hidden images in peek-a-boo books made for her little hands, and finding these items will stimulate her mind. Your interaction will encourage Katelyn to learn because it means spending quality time with you. Nurture your baby's brain.
Your New Baby
At five months old, babies usually range from 23.5 inches long and 12.25 pounds (10th percentile) to 26.5 inches long and 17 pounds (90th percentile).
Many babies at this age begin to show an interest in solid foods. Katelyn may watch you intently while you eat and try to reach for some of what you have. This is one indication that she may be ready to try some solid foods. Other signs include sitting well while supported, holding her head steady, and losing the "extrusion reflex," which causes her to push food out of her mouth.
Katelyn is probably conducting some new experiments such as dropping her toys on the ground to find out what sounds they make when they land. To help sharpen her auditory skills and encourage her interest in the world around her, try pointing out a plane flying overhead, or an ambulance speeding down the street.
If you place a small object on the floor, Katelyn might be able to rake it towards her with her hands. Just make sure you stick close to Katelyn to make sure that the item doesn't end up in her mouth or that the object doesn't pose a choking hazard.
Is Katelyn still not sleeping through the night? Believe it or not this is normal. Even as adults we awaken several times a night, but we learned at some point to put ourselves back to sleep. Until your baby learns how to put herself back to sleep, you will, unfortunately, be awakened to lend a hand.
Babies around this age also love faces - even their own. Try placing an unbreakable baby mirror in the crib; or if you don't have a baby mirror, trying putting Katelyn on the floor in front of a mirror. For a few minutes at a time Katelyn may be her own entertainment. She has no idea that she is looking at her own reflection - that revelation will come much later. For now it's just a new adorable baby face that's fun to look at.
Your Journal
Jeannette, has Katelyn had any teeth pop through? Have you noticed signs of teething, such as excessive drooling? Cutting her first teeth is an exciting milestone for your little one. Document the week that the first tooth appears and how Katelyn handles teething-for some babies it's a piece of cake, while for others it's a long, painful ordeal. Write now.
Be sure to add all your new baby pictures to your photo album and share with your friends and family.
A Quote Worth Repeating: We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open. ~ Harry Edwards
This Week's E-poll: If applicable, is your company family-friendly?
A Tip from the Trenches
Many babies are lulled to sleep by the movement and hum of a moving car - making car trips a great idea. However, as Katelyn gets older and is increasingly active, she may not want to sit still in her car seat for very long. If you are having problems getting through even a short trip in the car, try the following tips for keeping Katelyn occupied and happy:
Hang toys from the clothes hooks in the back seat using ribbons or yarn (no longer than 12 inches).
Tape some pictures to the back of the front seats, so they face Katelyn.
Attach some toys to Katelyn's car seat using elastic or short string. She can enjoy the toys without requiring retrieval every 10 seconds.
Cover Katelyn's car seat with a beach towel or a seat cover to prevent the metal parts of the car seat from getting hot in the sun and burning her. A blanket is also great in winter to cover the cold, brittle plastic.
Babies don't like the sun in their face any more than we do, so block the sun with window shades in the back seats.
***
Ready for Solids? The 3 Signs
As your baby nears the four-month marker,another famous first is quickly approaching: Your baby's first taste of solid food! (okay, mushy food!) Although cultural and generational habits vary (your mother may tell you that you started chowing down at two weeks of age), most pediatricians suggest that you introduce cereals and purees when your baby is between four and six months old. If your baby or anyone in your family has allergies or sensitivities to food, you'll want to wait until the six-month mark, and then tread carefully when the solids start, following the advice of your pediatrician. How can you tell when your baby is ready to plunge into the world of solid foods?
Watch for these three signs:
Head held high. While your baby doesn't need to be able to sit independently in order to expand her culinary repertoire, she does need to be able to hold her head up well on her own, and sit - supported - without slumping over.
Tongue untied. See if she'll accept a spoon. In young babies, the tongue-thrust reflex helps keep foreign objects out of their mouths, and if she's not ready to be spoon-fed, she might push out that spoon coming her way - even one that's laden with yummy bananas or tasty rice cereal. Once she outgrows the tongue-thrust reflex, she'll be able to eat solids more successfully.
Eager eyes. A baby who's ready for solids may show great interest in grown-ups' meals - she may even try to grab herself a bite right off your plate!
***
Baby's First Holiday Season By Heather K. Scott
For parents of new babies gearing up to celebrate this holiday season, a little extra planning can help them rejoice while circumventing holiday stress.
The winter holiday season is a beautiful time to share with friends and family. For parents of new babies, this is an exceptionally precious time. Despite the warmth of the season, the holidays can sometimes be stressful-even for families without new babies. With a little extra planning, you can rejoice while relaxing in your new family environment. The advice that new parents as well as seasoned veterans dispense, is nearly always, "Keep things simple; do what you feel is best and don't worry about making everyone happy." Easier said than done, right? Not necessarily.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
To travel or not to travel is truly dependent on how you, as new parents, feel. If you are up to the adventure, pack the diaper bag and your suitcases and take to the air, rails, or highway with your little one.
If you are considering air travel, first check with your pediatrician. Baby's ears are still developing, and flight can sometimes be painful. You and your doctor can decide what age is best for your child to experience her first plane trip.
Some airlines offer free passage to babies if they sit on your lap. Others offer fares at a discount for infants in their own seat (with a car seat). Contact your travel agent or airline and ask about current regulations regarding car seats, bassinets, and diaper changing facilities-some airlines supply all of these added amenities. Also inquire about pre-boarding procedures and if you will be able to board your stroller in the cabin, or if you may check it at the gate and have it brought to you shortly after landing.
Air travel is very dehydrating. Pack your carry-on bag with plenty of water and milk or formula for you and your baby. Also, drinking during ascent and descent will help your little one's ears pop, making this rough part of travel easier on her (and your fellow passengers).
Taking the train is a second travel option, and may be less overwhelming than air travel with a baby. Amtrak offers family or bedroom sleepers for longer train trips at costs comparable to flying (coach seats cost much less). However, train travel is best only for those families without a pressing schedule-it takes longer to reach the destination (a four-to-five hour plane trip from the Midwest to the West Coast translates into a two day trip by train).
If you are taking to the roads during the holiday season, be sure to double check the installation of your car seat. Most local fire and police stations will install your seat free of charge, or double check your installation. You can also visit your car's dealership for help in positioning and securing your car seat. If you are taking an extended trip, be sure to have your car fully serviced before departure. And before leaving the house, check current weather conditions and pack emergency gear and blankets in your trunk-it never hurts to be prepared for any possible crisis.
House-Hopping
If you live in close proximity to your extended family, travel during the holidays may be as simple as setting a schedule. Katy Leder-Holmes, a Wisconsin mother of one, lives only hours away from her parents. "We plan on spending Christmas Eve with one set of grandparents and Christmas Day with the other," she says. "Thanksgiving weekend will be divided up as well-this will keep all the grandparents happy."
Sometimes you can spend part of the holiday with relatives nearby, and still fit in a long-distance trip to visit the other side of the family. "Last year, we spent Christmas with [my husband's] side of the family and then flew to Florida to spend five days with my parents around New Year's Eve," says Julie VanderZanden-Iris from Wisconsin, of her first holiday with her son Jordan.
You can also consider setting up an unconventional schedule-spend Thanksgiving with one family, Christmas with the other, and the following holiday season by yourselves. Elizabeth White-Jones of California, mother of 17-month-old Ella says, "I think it is best to trade off with one of the holidays and take the other one off from the family altogether."
A favorite solution for many new parents is to host their own holiday gathering. This provides the opportunity to forego travel of any kind during this busy season. Molly and Trevor Tuttle of California live hundreds of miles from their closest relative. They plan to celebrate their first holiday with their son Maxwood at home. Rather than trying to fit in several trips to visit relatives, they instead look forward to inviting family over for a small and intimate gathering.
Establishing Your Own Family Traditions
If you come from differing faiths, the holidays may be extremely complicated; however, if you and your spouse were able to transcend your faiths and commit to spending your lives together, you can also find a way to compromise during the holidays. Consider celebrating both holidays-buy a Christmas tree and light a menorah, sing Christmas carols and play Dreidl. As your child grows, you can explain to him the differences between your faiths and how your family will handle the holidays-but for this first year, your baby will just be happy to share in the festivities and be close to you and your spouse.
There are many fun secular family traditions you can begin even now with your baby. Taking a yearly family photo, making annual footprints and handprints, or starting a holiday journal or scrapbook are all ways to introduce tradition and ritual to your baby. A record of your family's evolution-and her growth-will be a precious gift she'll enjoy for years to come.
If you are planning to share gifts with your older baby, consider wrapping her packages with extra paper and let her have fun ripping it off. The colorful paper is a wonderful tactile experience. Help her safely play with the wrapping and keep a careful watch in case she should try to eat the paper.
Overzealous Relatives
Perhaps your child is blessed with loving grandparents-who may also be a little overzealous around the holiday season. Some new parents politely request that grandparents skip gift-giving this first year and instead help with practical items such as diapers, baby food, bottles, or blankets. Others suggest educational toys, or even donations for future college funds rather than traditional toys.
After the holidays have passed, let your baby experience each new toy alone first before introducing a new one. You may wish to leave one or two toys out and box up the rest. Over the next months, periodically switch out one of her older toys and introduce a new one.
Family and love are the foundations of the winter holiday season-this is especially true when a new baby is at the center of attention. Sometimes the extra doting can be over-stimulating for little ones. It may also trigger stress for you and your partner as relatives extol advice on everything from how often to feed your baby to bedtime and bathtime rituals. Don't be afraid to politely tell well-meaning relatives that although you appreciate their help, you and your partner have established routines that work for your baby.
Try to retain the basics of your child's feeding, bathing, and sleep schedule. Check for the tell-tale signs of fatigue and over-stimulation (ear-pulling, excessive crying, restlessness, and so on), and if you notice your baby becoming agitated, remove yourselves from the festivities and temporarily escape to a quiet place. You can even make a "Do not disturb" or "Shh . . . baby sleeping" sign and hang it on your baby's door to remind your guests that there is a baby napping nearby. If you are planning to visit family or friends, ask ahead if you can use a spare room for such a purpose.
Holiday Safety
Depending on your baby's age during the holiday season, you may need to take extra precautions to ensure his safety around decorations, plants, and food.
If your little one is already crawling, you'll need to chaperone him at all times. Be sure to set hot food well away from curious hands; you can even keep your child in his high chair or in a baby carrier during dinner time. Keep lit menorahs on high surfaces and regularly check your Christmas tree to make sure it is securely anchored within its stand. Many accidents occur this time of year when parents are distracted by family visitors, holiday festivities, and decorations. If you feel overwhelmed, enlist the help of another family member or a friend to take turns watching over your baby with you.
Don't succumb to the idea that you need to do anything to make other family members happy. No matter how you spend this first holiday with your new baby-whether you opt to travel, host your own family gathering, share gifts, or stay home, remember that this is your time-your new family's first holiday together. Relax and revel in the beautiful new life you and your spouse are sharing together during this special season.
***
Language Development in Five-Month-Old By Dr. Karen Sadler
Q: My five-month-old is not making the raspberries and some of the other sounds most babies make at his age. He coos, makes vowel sounds, laughs, squeals, rolls over in both directions, reaches for objects, and can creep across the floor, but I'm concerned about his language development.
A: I'll outline for you the language skills that should fall into place between four and seven months. It includes both the receptive speech skills (the ability to understand language) and the expressive skills (the ability to use language to communicate). Keep in mind that each child is different, so what one child can do at four months, another may not be able to do until six or seven months. A four to seven-month-old should be able to:
* Respond to his/her name
* Begin to respond to 'no'
* Respond to the emotional component of language---show by his reaction that a stern word has a different impact than that same word spoken gently
* Begin to 'talk back' with sounds that rise and fall like human speech
* Begin to use simple consonants strung together several times to 'babble'
If your son's skills fall into this range, then his speech probably is within normal limits. If not, he should be evaluated for hearing and other problems, especially as he gets closer to seven months.
{Dr. Karen Sadler (Pediatrics) Dr. Karen Sadler is a board certified pediatrician who has been working in the Boston area for thirteen years. She completed her medical studies at Harvard Medical School in 1988 and went on to her residency at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston. The mother of three, Dr. Sadler is committed to healthcare for the underprivileged, as well as medical education. She is an associate instructor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine and sits on numerous committees including the Massachusetts State Women Infant Child Program.}