My baby at four months

A Guide to Forrest Frederick - 4 Months

FEEDING:

Milk - Forrest is currently breast feeding and, on occasions, gets topped up on formula (Nestle NAN ONE in a Pigeon wide neck bottle for 3+ months)

He feeds every 2 to 3 hours on both breasts during a feeding which can last from 10-25 minutes.

Solids - I have been giving Forrest one tablespoon of baby pureé once a day since 18 weeks. Foods tried have been pear, apple, and banana.

He has dropped a percentile in weight. Poos and pees are regular.

SLEEPING:

Night - Forrest’s sleep patterns are not regular at night, he may wake up every hour, or he may sleep for three hours without waking up. Regardless of the amount of times he wakes during the night he will still only have three feeds.

Day Naps - Forrest will usually be awake for 1.5-2 hours before needing a nap. He will nap between 20-45 minutes.

As a newborn, Forrest slept in a bassinet next to Mummy’s bed. Forrest now sleeps in a crib in his nursery with a camera baby monitor to keep an eye on him.

Previously Forrest was in an arms-up swaddle but he is now being transitioned to a sleep bag. The room is set to a comfortable temperature.

Forrest is put to sleep by either nursing, or by holding him while he sucks on his hand, once he is asleep he is laid in his crib. A lullaby or white noise machine is played while he sleeps and the room is kept dark with blackout curtains.

He is not yet sleep trained but a bedtime routine has been in place since three weeks old.

PLAYING:

Likes & Interests -Forrest loves Mummy and Daddy’s faces. He smiles when we talk to him and make faces at him. He also likes to look at his own face in the mirror.

Forrest likes to play while laying flat on his back under a play mat. He looks at the toys and likes to hit them so they make jingle sounds and likes their bright colours. He also wiggles and kicks around while he is on the floor. He enjoys laying in his crib and watching his mobile spin while it plays a lullaby.

Forrest likes to sit in his bouncer and look at the black and white mobile that hangs above it. He seems to like the contrast between the colours. He will kicks his legs to make the bouncer bounce up and down and seems to enjoy the vibration mode on the bouncer.

Usually, he will be holding and chewing on a teething toy or playing with a Security blanket by scrunching it up or putting it in his mouth.

Forrest enjoys books. Mummy will read to him while laying on the floor or have him sitting on my lap facing the book. Sometimes he will try to grab the book or just look at the pictures while I read.

Forrest enjoys sound and music. I made up some sound makers using different things like rice, lentils and dry pasta in empty water bottles to shake in front of him. He enjoys looking at the movement in the bottles and hearing the sounds they make. Forrest will also shake small rattles placed in his hand.

He enjoys when I play music around the house (Disney songs) and when I dance and sing to him. He will also occasionally watch the TV when I turn on Play School or The Wiggles.

Forrest enjoys different textures. I made up some sensory boards with different things on them (patty cakes, ribbon etc.) for Forrest to touch. I assist him by rubbing his hand over the board to feel and grab. He also likes to feel Touch Books with different materials in them. He loves to play with his crinkle book.

Forrest is interested in some toys. He seems to look at a musical piano when it lights up and makes sounds. His also likes his soft bunny and soft books. He is able to grab small objects.

DISLIKES & UNINTERESTED:

Forrest seems to hate tummy time and also being held in a sit up position for too long. He’s not to interested in playing with his big toys for too long and is scared of his peek-a-boo elephant. He is still uninterested in bath toys but he does like to kick his legs and splash in the water.

Forrest doesn’t really like to be outdoors or the bright sun.

He also isn’t too fond of being in the car seat or the pram.

He hates the baby carrier.

DEVELOPMENTS & MILESTONES:

Forrest Can: 

Forrest will smile at mummy and daddy and occasionally other family members.

He has a good string grip and can reach and grab toys. He puts toys to his mouth.

He notices his hands and sucks on them.

He will pull legs high up in the air also into a slight ball position to try to grab feet. 

Forrest can goo, coo and babble and also squeal. When he gets excited he kicks his legs around, he has strong legs when kicking.

Forrest Can Not:

He does not yet like to smile at strangers.

He has giggled only twice.

Forrest tried to roll over and makes it into his side but then falls straight back onto his back.

He can hold his head but is still wobbly. Can not hold up on tummy time. 

Forrest’s legs bow in when placed on a flat service in standing position.

Socially Forrest isn’t very interested in other people or other babies.

HYGIENE & MEDICATION:

Hygiene - Forrest has a warm bath every night with organic wash. He then is given a baby massage with lavender baby oil.

Nose aspiration and saline drops are used for nose. I keep Forrest’s nails trimmed with Baby safety clippers. Hair is brushed with soft baby brush. A bit of cradle cap was managed with washing babies hair, applying Aveno baby lotion to spots and gently brushing off. His gums are cleaned with wet wash cloth. Bonjelo is occasionally used on suspected teething gums. His ears are gently cleaned with baby cotton. ‘Thank You’ baby wipes are used, along with baby powder and organic rash cream when needed. Baby sunscreen is applied when going out in the sun.

Medication - Forrest is given Inficol drops to help with his gas issues. (Silent reflux may also be an issue)

Baby Probiotics are given before bed.

Any fever is managed with infant Panadol.