languageWhat should you notice about babies' language:
social
PlayPlaying is still new to baby at this point, but they are starting to engage with toys more and more!
literacyIf you are reading to your baby daily, and I cannot recommend enough that you do so, they should start taking an interest in participating with you!
CognitiveYour babies brain is developing rapidly this month!! They are understanding things on a more sophisticated level for the first time.
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If you are "all done" with the Wheels On The Bus song, you're not alone! I have been slowly finding some fantastic things out there for baby to listen to! At 4-5 months old, baby gets 'bored' and is expecting some entertainment. Music has been essential to keeping peace and calm. He thoroughly enjoys listening to such a variety of music and its fun to see him anticipate some parts of songs. Here are some of our favorites!!
Tell me about your favorite musical shows to watch with baby in the comments!
I feel like some parents have a stigma about sign language. I had a parent tell me once, "I don't want you to work on signing, I want him to talk!" There are sometimes myths that float around that signing might result in late talking, or may prevent them from talking sooner. This is not true! It is actually the opposite! There's a few reasons why......
how to choose what signs to start with:You really just need to figure out two things.....
While these signs worked for my family, you may choose different signs to begin with. There is not a set progression at all! What will be most effective is something you can remember to do often! when can you expect to see baby signing?Babies that have been signed to since birth or soon after can sometimes begin to sign around 8 months old. Now you may say... that's annoying they start talking at 12 months, why put in all that effort? For a couple reasons!
what NOT TO DO WITH SIGN LANGUAGEDON'T make signing an absolute requirement-- If you are waiting for baby to sign to move onto your next activity, it will end in tears for everyone DON'T make signing an unnatural part of your communication-- No one says music 12x in a row. DON'T make them communicate the same thing twice-- if they can say the word already, they don't need to sign it too before you accept it as a response. It's a little unusual to see this go the opposite way where a child that can say the word will sign it instead. Like I said before, we do what's easiest and talking is easier than signing because you don't need your communication partner to be looking directly at you to communicate with them. what to DO WITH SIGN LANGUAGEDO make sure you sign across a variety of settings and with a variety of people--signing for mom shouldn't only be when we wake up! It should be when you leave, arrive, in the mirror, etc. DO help baby make the signs with hand over hand!-- This helps them learn the motor plan they need to execute to make that sign happen! DO accept approximate signs at first! -- They won't do it perfect the first time! If it's in context and you know what they meant, show them you get it by verbalizing what they are communicating (i.e. 'you want milk!? Great job telling mommy!! Here is your milk!')
It's been 4.5 months since I started my breastfeeding journey and I'm happy to report that at about the 3 month mark, I felt really good about my decision to continue breastfeeding. It is sooooo much easier to just pop him on and feed him quick than to heat up a bottle. I have been told that this is what's called 'Breastfeeding Nirvana' and I do agree! That being said, here are some new struggles that appeared EVEN AFTER I got a handle on breastfeeding...
I was told, and know it to be true for myself at least, that boys are so hungry when they wake and start crying immediately for food. Girls are okay waiting a bit. So far, that is the case for my little boy! I have about 30 seconds TOPS from when he wakes to getting food in him before the wailing begins!
This makes me SO glad that I stuck with breastfeeding! Having the freedom to feed him whenever/wherever is somewhat liberating! It's one less thing to worry about. It was worth the extra work & I would do it all again- hands down!! |