6-Week-Old Baby Milestones

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Have you ever seen a sweeter smile? I think not. After giving some glimpses of gassy grins early on, this is the point when your baby is likely beginning to smile for the first time from true joy, especially when you enter the room and your baby hears your voice (after all, you are their favorite person!). You may be treated to that delicious expression just by entering the room, singing a silly song, stroking their headâor any other number of things that make your baby alert and happy.
6-Week Mental Health Check-In
Speaking of âhappy,â itâs totally normal for you to feel a mix of emotions these days. Did you know that momsâand dads!âgo through a bit of a hormonal rollercoaster after the birth? Stack that on top of other life bumpsâexhaustion, baby fussing, financial pressures, feeding issues, and so onâand itâs no wonder why many parents fall into âthe baby blues.âÂ
What is the difference between the blues and full-on postpartum depression (PPD) and/or postpartum anxiety (PPA)? Itâs pretty much a matter of degree. The more upset, exhausted, and anxious you feel, the more you want to run away, feel tearful, paranoid, and hopelessâlike you are failingâthe more you have shifted from blue to dark blue to shades of black. Remember, none of these feelings are a measure of your parenting. It usually feels like youâre the only one with these doubts and struggles, but over 20% of new moms go through this!
The great news is that this is temporary and treatable and there are lots of places that can help you! You can start by speaking with the people you love and trust. Your healthcare provider should be asking you how youâre feeling and should give you a PPD questionnaire to complete. If you have concerns that arenât addressed, reach out to your doctor or people in your support network. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your baby. Finally, you can also call a free hotline, like the very caring counselors at Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773. Here are some more mental health resources for new parents.Â
Your 6-Week-Old Babyâs DevelopmentÂ
Look Whoâs Learning to Self-Soothe!
When it comes to mastering baby calming, the responsibility has been pretty lopsided to this point. Youâre the one whoâs doing the 5 Sâs (swaddling, side/stomach, shushing, swinging, and offering something to suck). Of course, in return you get more peace and contentment from your babyâŚand the joy of meeting your babyâs needs and feeling like a successful (even, expert) parent.Â
One of your babyâs early milestonesâblossoming around 6 weeksâis your babyâs ability to self-soothe. These days, you may notice your babyâs increasing skill at getting the thumb (or entire fist!) into the mouth for a slobbery, satisfying suck! Taking a pacifier is a wonderful way for babies to learn to self-calm.
Please donât worry about finger or pacifier sucking becoming a bad habit. Most babies love it and most give it up by 3 to 6 months. Research shows that paci-sucking is so soothing that it lowers babiesâ heart rates, blood pressure, and stress level. By now, the feeding is well established and nipple confusion from a pacifier shouldnât be an issue. (Pacis are just a problem when used too much before breastfeeding is well established.)
If finger sucking goes past 6 to 8 months, thereâs a good chance that youâor one of your siblingsâwas a sucking aficionado, too. In this case, it is best to substitute a pacifier for the finger. They are easier to stop and are much less likely to cause a serious dental issue. (Learn more about when to worry about thumb-sucking.)
How Much Does a 6-Week-Old Baby Eat?
By now, your breastfed baby is probably getting the hang of nursing! Though your 6-week-old is probably eating less frequently than they did as a newborn, offer breastmilk as often as your little one needs it, which will still be at least 8 times a day for many babies. A formula-fed baby is likely taking in 4 to 5 ounces every three to four hours at this age.Â
Your 6-Week-Old Babyâs Health
6-Week-Old Baby Poop
By 6 weeks, your babyâs poops may have gone from loose to pasty (formula can sometimes cause hard little stools). And, it gets even more bizarre for breastfed babies. Their poops can go from several yellow squirts a dayâŚto one big deposit every two to three daysâŚor even once a week!
Infrequent poos are not a cause for concern unless you notice:
- Constipation: Signs of baby constipation include hard, pellet-like stools. This is more common with babies drinking formula or when you add solids, like cereal and bananas.
A couple more poo-pointers:
- Dealing with diaper blow-outs? Make sure the diaper is the right size. Sizing up can help.
- Diaper rash can be caused by too much moisture, acidic poop, and sensitive skin. Using a thick cream can help a lot to keep the skin healthy and smooth. But if there is a rash, some doctors recommend using fresh aloe gel and lots of diaper changes to keep the area dry.Â
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