Question on newborns and babies

When do babies hold their head up really good?  Ryan is 13w and still has some control issues with his head.  He hates tummy time but does hold his head up but does not use his arms at all.  When do they use there arms?  Do they really need tummy time?  My daughter turned out fine with out it

When do can they sit up?  When do they bear weight with their legs?  Oh so many questions.  When do you give them other "food" besides formula.  He eats all the time 5-6 every two to three hours every four at night.  I don't mind getting up just want to start at the right time.

[Crritter]

LIttle Cam ate 8 to 12 oz. every 2 to 3 hours until the Dr. told us to add solids just before 4 months.  He was so big and hungry we couldn't keep up.  He's not fat though, but very solid and strong.  He loves his tummy, but I think the acid reflux hurts so bad when he lays on his back.  I limited his down time due to his medical issues though.  He sounds fine, the head thing takes time, he will use his arms soon.  I would keep up the tummy time though, that helps them build their muscles and get a good work out.  Mine loves it.  He's also mobile now, he'll be 6 months in a week and a half.  They really shouldn't bear their weight on their legs yet, unless you are supporting them, that will be closer to a year, but they do love to stand if you hold them up.  Sitting will take some time too.  It's not so much a skill, but they need to develop hip extenders.  Depends on that development, it can happen around 5 months or even closer to 7 months.  Mine is soooo close, but not quite there.  Yet he can crawl and roll all over, go figure!  Give it time, it will be here soon enough!

[kris123]

Ryan is so much better that they up his med.  He hates hates his belly,  I'll get my sis to do cause I can't stand to see him cry.  I put him on his belly and he screams screams.  He hates to be flat also

[AndiJ78]

Tummy time is so vitally important, every day they need tummy time. Get on the floor with him, some babies handle it better that way.

Mine literally came out holding their heads up, so I am not help there. Wait on the solids, he is too young still.

[kris123]

How are you handling going to work?  I am doing ok but I'm alone today in the office and I wish I would have taken him because the boss is not here - they would have never known.  I had him with me since last thursday - seven days straight.  Then yesterday he stayed hom with sis and mom.  I hate being away from him and know that week I have to leave him all week is going to be so so hard.  I am going to try to see if I can bring him to work till he is mobile we'll see.  How long are you away from your children?  What do you do?  Are they close to you?

[Crritter]

Most babies do hate their tummies, I was shocked that Cam dug it so much.  First thing he does when you lay him down is to flip on his belly.  I get down too and talk to him and place toys around him.  Mine were good about their heads too, just had to watch when they got tired, but he will use his arms to push up and hold his body up more soon.  Glad to hear the meds are working!  They took Cam's down a notch and they moved him back up again.  So sad though, he's maxed out and it still is hard to control.  He still has to sleep sitting up.  He has had so many respitory problems and they think partly it's due to the acid reflux.  He also got a bad start getting RSV so young, but we hope he outgrows it.  His pulmonologist is back in town next month, and hopefully his breathing will be better by then, he still rattles like crazy.  Hope you don't have any of this going on too.

[kris123]

Ryan is getting so much better but I am worried that he should be holding his head up  - I guess I am comparing babies :-)  

[kris123]

He rubs his face in the blanket or his crib when he is on his tummy - I mean hard.  I have to put his head to the side and holds it up just a little - he doesn't even try the arms -

[Crritter]

Glad to hear work is getting better.  No way could I take mine with me, I would love to, but I'm in a pharmacy...so bad idea.  They go to a home daycare across town, 3 houses away from my parents, and I went to school with our daycare providers oldest daughter.  I trust her and my boys love it there.  Carson gets antsy when I don't take him, today I'm off and he's okay so far, but he likes to hang out with his friends.  Cam is a little young to have friends there, but the kids are so sweet to him, and he likes to watch the kids.  There's also a little girl 5 weeks older than him and they get to hang out together on the floor and play when the big kids are busy playing downstairs and napping.  I miss them so much during the day, but my days go by pretty quick and my boss is really understanding so if I needed to leave for a sick kiddo, they would be fine.  I have had it rough with Cam, and he was really sick last weekend and most of the week.  I moved my schedule around so I was working more evenings so they were not at daycare for long before my DH could get them.  Home today with the day off, and Cam is just starting to wake up, so I'll be running soon.

[Crritter]

Cam and Cars both only wanted t oeat the blanket and their hands.  They didn't have interest in looking up and around for awhile.  He's barely 3 months old, he still has time, but you can ask the Dr. when he goes in again, mine goes in a few times a month...they know us really well there.  

[tomel]

What med. is your son on? Just curious my doc just recommended Zantaz for my son...but Im not sure if I want him to take it or not.

[tomel]

sorry mispelled..its Zantac

[low22]

Bella had good head control from the beginning too.  She's 11 weeks.  I already put her in the Bumbo and Jumperoo.  But...I think it just depends on the baby.  I'm sure your baby is fine and he will be holding it up very soon.  

As for holding things, she holds teething rings and the necklaces that I wear.  She likes to put the rings in her mouth.  

[Pearl99]

It sounds like you could use a good book like What to Expect the First Year. It has all the developmental milestones with a good range of when to expect things like headholding, when it's early, when it might be a sign of problems. They do this for each month. Had it with my first, answered lots of questions. Don't measure him up every day though--they do have their own strengths and priorities.  My boy for instance walked at 8 mos. but couldn't (wouldn't?) really talk til 15 mos. Sis was much the reverse.

The Am Assoc of Pediatrics at www.aap.org lists the following warning signs for THREE MONTH OLD (more or less) babies (i.e. time to bring it up with doctor if you see anything on the list).  I went to our four mont appt and told doc our baby couldn't roll over. We put her on the table and lo and behold she rolled right over (front to back).



"Developmental health watch

Although each baby develops in her own individual way and at her own rate, failure to reach certain milestones may signal medical or developmental problems requiring special attention. If you notice any of the following warning signs in your infant at this age, discuss them with your pediatrician.

    *
      Doesn’t seem to respond to loud sounds
    *
      Doesn’t notice her hands by two months
    *
      Doesn’t smile at the sound of your voice by two months
    *
      Doesn’t follow moving objects with her eyes by two to three months
    *
      Doesn’t grasp and hold objects by three months
    *
      Doesn’t smile at people by three months
    *
      Cannot support her head well at three months
    *
      Doesn’t reach for and grasp toys by three to four months
    *
      Doesn’t babble by three to four months
    *
      Doesn’t bring objects to her mouth by four months
    *
      Begins babbling, but doesn’t try to imitate any of your sounds by four months
    *
      Doesn’t push down with her legs when her feet are placed on a firm surface by four months
    *
      Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions
    *
      Crosses her eyes most of the time (Occasional crossing of the eyes is normal in these first months.)
    *
      Doesn’t pay attention to new faces, or seems very frightened by new faces or surroundings
    *
      Still has the tonic neck reflex at four to five months

[jd1419]

If you have a boppy--put himon his tummy but propped by the boppy--I did that with mine until they got a little stronger at lifting their heads for a long time...also I know if it is a  newer boppy that can have toys attached so that may help with keeping him interested for the floor.

[kris123]

Previcd zantac sucks and did not work at all.  After a week on the new one he was a different baby

[kris123]

You daughter holds her head up good already?  Ryan will only grasp things if you put them in his hands.  He puts his hands in his mouth that is about it

[kris123]

Now I am really getting concerned because I went to the suggest website above and it says by 2-3 months they should be able to lift there head with their arms while on their belly - Ryan is only lifting head a little

[tomel]

Have you talked to your pediatrician about this?
Try putting him on his belly (even though he hates it) and rub his back a little, that might encourage him to lift his head.
My other son was low tone and had an OT for a long time..... we would kinda rub and push down on his back so he would use those other muscles to lift

[tomel]

Sorry but What to expect sucks!...It does not cover the REALLY important milestones...its just glazes over some of them... the best resources are online. Here is march of dimes and CDC

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/milestones_3months.html

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/298_10203.asp

[Crritter]

Cameron got RSV at 10 weeks and between that and his acid reflux being so bad, I was told not to put my baby down, especially on his back.  I had to limit tummy time as he needed to be elevated to breathe.  I was worried too, but once he was doing better he was quick to get back to doing the things he should be.  Just talk to your ped about it, some babies go at a different pace.  Our Dr. asks about the developmental milestones and puts Cam down to see what he can do, although he's so vocal and boisterous, it doesn't take long to see he's right on target, if not ahead.  Also, the Zantac, I would try it.  My son is a different baby when his meds are working.  They didn't use that one with him as babies outgrow it faster, but some it works for really well.  If it doesn't help, ask about trying a different one.  We use Prevacid 15 mg twice daily and Reglan twice daily just to control Cam's acid reflux.  Even then, it's so bad he outgrows the Reglan and they have had to adjust it a few times.  I can tell when it's not working as good.  Keep baby elevated too, especially after meals and when sleeping if possible.