Congratulations! Your little one has reached the 20-week mark! Excitingly, if your baby hasn’t begun sleeping through the night yet, they might start doing so around this time. What a relief! You’re one step closer to looking like a well-rested human instead of a zombie in a horror film.
However, a word of caution: “sleeping through the night” is often defined by pediatricians as just five hours. So, unless you’re prepared for some serious sleepless nights ahead, it might be best to hold off on those wild celebrations for a while longer!
Milestones in Development and Growth
Now is the perfect opportunity to bring out your inner comedian! Babies at this age are developing rapidly, and they love to interact. Try out some goofy antics—crossed eyes, silly faces, and tongue tricks—because your baby will likely find it hilarious! Just be prepared for uncontrollable laughter when you, perhaps not so gracefully, slip on a wet kitchen floor—thanks to that little water spill from your partner!
As your baby grows, you may notice a more consistent sleep pattern emerging, with around 12 to 15 hours of sleep each night. This is fantastic news for you! While it might be tempting to tackle that ever-growing to-do list or even take a long-overdue shower, don’t forget to catch up on your own rest. I mean, who really thinks you smell as bad as you do? (Probably no one!)
Physical, Social, and Cognitive Growth
If you thought the early months were a whirlwind of milestones, wait until you see what your little one can do now! According to Pathways.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that many five-month-olds can achieve a variety of skills, including:
- Rolling over from back to belly and vice versa
- Bearing weight on their legs while standing with support
- Reaching for nearby toys while on their tummy
- Grabbing their feet while lying on their back
- Transferring toys from one hand to the other
- Exploring toys with both hands
- Generally being cheerful when not hungry or tired
- Bringing hands and objects to their mouth
- Calming down through rocking, touch, and gentle sounds
- Not being startled by everyday noises
- Enjoying a range of movements
- Responding or vocalizing during playful interactions
- Turning their head towards sounds
- Supporting themselves with their hands while sitting up
Health Update
With your baby’s next check-up just around the corner, it’s time for those important vaccinations to keep them healthy. According to the CDC, watch for potential side effects like fussiness, irritability, a mild fever, and some soreness at the injection site for a day or two post-appointment. Your little one will likely receive vaccines for:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Polio (IPV)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
- Influenza (flu)
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In summary, your 20-week-old baby is hitting exciting developmental milestones, both physically and socially. As their sleep patterns stabilize and they become more expressive, enjoy this special time together. Just remember to take some time for yourself too!