So, we went to Brenna's 4mo checkup today. Overall everything was good. We got a refill on her Zantac for now and he suggested keeping her on it till around 6 mos. After she's on solids. We still haven't had any issues with vomiting since I last mentioned it (it's probably been a month or so now!). She's still exclusively breastfed. While he said today that we can begin solids at any point in the next couple months, I am in no hurry. First of all, I remember the poop changing once you start solids and you can't ever go back. Plus, she's our BABY! (and our last) So I am really in no hurry for her to grow up too fast. I'm going to delay this 'baby stage' as long as possible. So, maybe around 5-6 mos, we'll give it a go. We'll see.
He also laid my fears to rest about her flat head. Laugh if you will...but it was really concerning me that the back of her head was/is beginning to flatten. You hear the horror stories about kids that have to wear helmets later on b/c their bone structure is mishapen (or I've heard those stories anyway). And her head really does have a flat shape to it in the back. Brooke never had that - she had a bald spot from the rubbing when she laid down as does Brenna, but Brenna has a true flat spot. So I was concerned and would sometimes let her nap on her tummy to keep her off the back of her head. I know...I know...shoot me. Horrible mom. You can't believe I would put my kids in such danger right?
Well, anyway, he said (and I quote), "Those stories about the kids wearing helmets are real good for the helmet makers of America aren't they?" He told me I had nothing to worry about - that flat heads are by some means normal and the EXTREME cases are the ones they worry about. He said to make sure she's getting tummy time during awake time and he still, of course, recommended her sleeping on her back. He said by the time she's 6 mos or so and starting to sit up, that flat head will be a thing of the past - the body has a way of fixing those things.
Well, anyway, he said (and I quote), "Those stories about the kids wearing helmets are real good for the helmet makers of America aren't they?" He told me I had nothing to worry about - that flat heads are by some means normal and the EXTREME cases are the ones they worry about. He said to make sure she's getting tummy time during awake time and he still, of course, recommended her sleeping on her back. He said by the time she's 6 mos or so and starting to sit up, that flat head will be a thing of the past - the body has a way of fixing those things.
He also said all her excessive drooling is probably not teething. Darnit! I wanted something tangible to blame. She is drooling A LOT! I mean like her whole outfits are saturated. She also likes to chew on fingers these days or blankets or whatever else. But he told me that around 3 mos or so, babies start figuring out how to put things into their mouth and that alone is fun (the chewing fingers thing) and causes drool. Also, they are learning how to maneuver their tongue around (why you have to wait till 4 mos to start solids - that whole tongue thing) and yet do not know how to maneuver the saliva around. When we, as adults, move our tongue around, it produces the same amt of saliva. But our smart mouths (no pun intended) know what to do with that excess - it gets swallowed bit by bit. Babies don't have smart mouths yet. ;) Makes sense, eh?
Soo....she is such a happier baby these days. She smiles all the time at the smallest eye contact. She cries when she wakes up, but only until someone comes and 'finds her'. Then the biggest grin - like "Ahh...there you are!" 
We've started to hear some beginnings of laughter. Still not the solid baby giggles that are such music to our ears and so contagious. But she'll smile the biggest smile and then make a sort of fun gasping noise. As told by my previous post, she is way into squealing. She has figured out this technique and likes to show it off all the time. To Brooke, to Mommy or Daddy, to the TV, to the guy in the store. It's quite loud. I was on the phone with my sister the other day and she overhead these squeals. She asked what was wrong and I had to let her know that's not unpleasant sounds, that's just very loud happy noises. In her presence, it's actually quite funny. :D
She is getting more routine about her naps. Or maybe I'm just figuring out her routine. She's usually up (awake) for 2 hrs (ish) and then ready for a nap. Usually at least once a day, she'll take a good long nap (2-3 hrs maybe) and then the other 2 naps or so are usually just 20-30 min naps. And it seems to get her by, so whatever works right? The only problem is now that Brooke's in school, sometimes, that 2-3 hr nap happens at the precise time it's time to pick Brooke up from school. Arg! You know the rule - Never wake a sleeping baby. What do you do though? So, if she's napping, we just go with it and hope she'll take that longer nap in the afternoon (it's really nice when both kids take a good long afternoon nap!) Oh..and she does nap in her crib (in her room) but at night is still in the bassinet (aka Pack N Play) in our room. She is really addicted to that vibration that it has. We're gonna have to work on that! Still swaddling her, b/c if she can move around too much, she will...and hence will stay awake or will startle awake. So the swaddle works great! We've also started adding a massage into the nightime routine. She loves it. Well, first and foremost it gets her in front of the space heater (remember - her favorite spot?) and she has certain places that she really enjoys getting massaged - her legs, her hands and feet specifically. 
Speaking of hands...she really likes to hold hands. And I don't mean just the reflex of you put something in her hand and it causes her to grab it. I mean, she really likes you to hold her hand for comfort. It is very settling to her. While we're trying to put her to sleep, while she's nursing, if she's fussy, whenever. She really likes to hold hands. It's so sweet to have those tiny fingers curl around yours and to know it is comforting to her.
She loves other babies (including herself - in a mirror) and small children. Of course her favorite would be her big sister, but she loves looking at and watching other small children.
(check out the fat rolls on this kid!)...
Also, I think she is finally losing her hair. Not that I'm proud of that. I just figured it would happen. Brooke lost hers a little earlier and Brenna's is just now starting to thin out. So, we'll see if she goes completely bald (Brooke did) and what color her hair will end up being. Her eyes are still very blue though!
Her favorite 'toy'?? Her new (borrowed) playmat. Man. I can't tell you how much she likes that thing. She will lay there and kick and bat at the things for an hour sometimes! I am ever grateful to Leslea for letting us borrow it. You never know which kid (baby) will like which toys. Brooke wanted nothing to do with this kind of thing, but loved her LeapFrog chair. Brenna hates the LeapFrog chair and loves her playmat. Two different kids. I have to keep telling myself that. 
Her favorite 'toy'?? Her new (borrowed) playmat. Man. I can't tell you how much she likes that thing. She will lay there and kick and bat at the things for an hour sometimes! I am ever grateful to Leslea for letting us borrow it. You never know which kid (baby) will like which toys. Brooke wanted nothing to do with this kind of thing, but loved her LeapFrog chair. Brenna hates the LeapFrog chair and loves her playmat. Two different kids. I have to keep telling myself that. This age is such a fun age. The smiling gets me every time. How can you let a baby smile at you and not smile back? 
1 comment:
Brenna has the roundest, most perfect little head! How pretty is she! And I'm glad to see you're still swaddling her at 4mths...I can't seem to transition Milo to the sleep sack just yet, I'm afraid he won't sleep as well! Great job documenting everything, Mama B!
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