Bouncing, bubbles and beakers - 18-20 weeks

Although these couple of weeks have been pretty busy, especially on BB's development front, it doesn't seem like much on paper.

A major development has been sitting up. I often let BB have time to lie on her play mat and stretch her legs, and from time to time I have been trying her in sitting up positions, particularly when she has not been too keen on tummy time. She has also been using a Bumbo seat, with a tray so that her toys can be close to hand. And bit by bit, as I have put BB in the sitting up position she managed to sit up unaided at 18 weeks for a good 30-50secs before having a little wobble (long enough for me to capture it on my camera). She is now getting stronger and stronger and can manage a good few minutes before loosing concentration. I am always with her when she is sitting up as she still have a few wobbles but the delight in her face as she starts to master yet another skill is just something else!

BB is now really enjoying her Jumperoo and all the toys attached to it and is particularly loving the bouncing (and mummy is enjoying some new tunes to listen and hum along to).

Another new game of hers is to blow raspberries and bubbles. BB will entertain herself for pretty long periods by trying out these new skills and even making herself giggle in the process – and it is quite fun to watch (and I sometimes join in too – well it would be rude not to really!).

BB has also been getting much noisier over the last few weeks. She is starting to copy some of the sounds of the words we make and Mr B was certain that he heard her say “hello” in the night, which freaked him out totally! But she is certainly making more purposeful sounds and seems to be chatting with us a lot more. BB is also reacting to her name now. When we do call her name she will turn towards us (unless she is in a grump or is really taken by something else which has caught her eye).

Various items are no longer safe if they are anywhere near BB's reach as she is a real professional at reaching out for things and grasping them very confidently now. Pulling at things, which will invariably end up in her mouth – books seem to be a particular favourite at the moment. And when we read books together she is very helpful at trying to turn the pages for me.

I had been a bit concerned that BB still seems to be pretty quick with her feeds and that she may not be feeding enough (although she has always had good level of wet nappies, which is a good indicator that all is well) but at BB's latest weigh in she was 14lb 4oz so is doing really well. I discussed the issue of weaning with the Health Visitor who advised that unless BB seems to get hungrier then to leave the weaning till at least 24 weeks, as this will give her a particularly good
period of having had breast milk. Well, as she is still pretty reluctant to take anything else at the moment there is no problem with this. I told the HV that I was considering Baby Led Weaning and she was actually quite supportive but reminded me that I had to wait until BB was 6 months before starting - babies' digestive systems find it difficult to deal with anything other than milk before this age. However, many do start weaning at around 17 weeks with various purées.

On the feeding front, BB is still very keen on the old boobage! After the success of the previous week I have been trying the cup again but most of the milk ends up down BB's front (and sometimes down her back too). So an emergency trip out to the shops and a beaker and another form of cup with a spout were purchased. The new cup has not gone down well at all but the beaker seems to be a firm new favourite. I say favourite, I am only trying it once a day and she seems to mostly chew on the spout and will take in a little bit of milk – but again it is not a full feed. I have given her a few days off of this but a bit more perseverance is needed, yet again!

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