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Your 40-week-old Baby - Development, Milestones & Care
Growing up is hard work for a baby! Every week will show a new skill he is trying to master, a new developmental phase he is going through, and a new issue he is dealing with. At 40 weeks, your baby will be preoccupied with the increasing number of teeth ready to blossom underneath his gums, and his drive to move around will increase day by day. He will also be more prone to mood swings and disturbed sleep, so this is time for proper care and nurturing.
Your 40-week-old Baby’s Development
At 40 weeks, your baby will be just about developing his personality. He may be quite social, smiling at everyone and he also may be shy, hiding his face when someone new comes along and tries to engage with him. Babies will start to assess situations before accepting someone new in their life when they are 10 months old. This can also result in quick and drastic switches of moods. They will gesture to get your attention and may even wave goodbye when you indicate that you are leaving the house. This is the age when your baby may even be able to stand alone on his own.
[Also Read: 9 Months Old Baby Growth and Development]
Your 40-week-old Baby's Developmental Milestones
Below are a few milestones you can see in the development of your 40-week-old baby:
Your baby will be able to roll back a ball you roll towards him
Your baby will be able to stand alone for a short period of time
Your baby will be comfortable saying ‘mama’ or ‘papa’
Your baby will say one or two more words other than ‘mama’ or ‘papa’
Your baby will be able to pick up small objects between his forefinger and thumb
Your baby will be able to drink on his own from a cup
Your baby will be able to respond to any one-step comment you give him, along with hand gestures like, “give that to me” with your hand stretched out.
Your baby will be able to stand alone quite well
Your baby will learn how to sit back down from a standing position. His brain will slowly work out how to do the squatting movements to get up and sit back down
[Also Read: 9 Months Old Baby Milestones]
Feeding
Water bottles become highly attractive for babies at 40 weeks old - because of the water in them, and because of the way they roll around. Your baby will watch you drink and try to imitate you. If he spends a lot of time around other babies, you might have to constantly retrieve sippy cups that do not belong to him from his hands. 40 weeks is a good age to introduce drinking from a cup in your baby’s life. While he will get most of his hydration from breastfeeding, using his interest in water bottles to teach him to drink from a cup will be highly useful in preparing your baby for weaning. It is always better to let your baby drink water or milk from a cup. Juice is high in sugar and can cause dental problems or obesity, so help your baby get into the habit of drinking only water and milk from his cup even after weaning. Encourage your baby to drink a cup of water with each meal, to also let him know that water can quench thirst. Keep a sippy cup around your baby all day so he can drink water whenever he wants.
[Also Read: 9 Months Old Baby Food]
Sleeping
Your 40-week-old baby will experience sleep disruption at this stage due to a lot of different and simultaneous developments. His four top teeth will grow underneath his gums and will cause him discomfort. Along with the mental and mobility development he will experience, this pain will be enough to disrupt his sleep and keep him awake at night. Since he will not be able to sleep well at night, you will see your baby be grumpier and clingy during the day. Eating solid food or sucking from the breast might start to hurt, courtesy his swollen gums, leading to more frustration. Once his teeth erupt in his mouth, only then will he experience some relief. Till then, your baby might need you to feed, hold or carry him until he can forget the discomfort and go to sleep. Babies usually cling most to their mothers during this stage and refuse to go to anyone else. So be patient and do what you can to help your baby get through this painful teething stage.
[Also Read: 9 Months Old Baby Sleep Basics]
Care Tips for Your 40-week-old Baby
Here are a few ways you can take care of your 40-week-old baby:
Babies deal with separation anxiety at this age. Try not to sneak away when your baby is not paying attention. Let him see you go, wave goodbye and say you’ll be back. This will let him understand you are coming back.
If you leave your baby with a sitter, make sure that person has enough games and activities so your baby doesn't experience sadness when you are away.
If your baby looks at something, look at it too, point it out and describe it. This will teach him to ask ‘what is that’ about something, knowing that you will give him the answer.
It is common at 40 weeks for babies to wake up suddenly and pull themselves up to cruise around the crib. Gently lay your baby back down, pat him on the back and encourage him to go back to sleep.
If your baby has not had a good night’s sleep due to teething discomfort or extra energy, put him down for a long daytime nap the next day.
Encourage your baby to try out his physical abilities by giving him a lot of floor space to walk and cruise along furniture. This will develop his muscles.
Babies will be prone to falling or bumping into things when they try walking so keep a first aid kit with bandages, gauze, tweezers and ointment on hand always.
If your baby starts to act out, put him in a safe place like a playpen or crib so that he doesn’t injure himself. Avoid always resorting to picking him up.
Tests and Vaccinations
There will be a physical exam when your baby is 40 weeks old which will be done by the doctor based on the individual needs of the baby.
1. Tests
The doctor can do a blood test to determine levels of iron, haemoglobin and lead in your baby’s blood so that you can rule out any possible presence anaemia in your baby.
2. Vaccinations
The doctor will give your baby a shot of the measles vaccine and the fifth dose of oral Polio drops if your baby has been getting the dosage regularly.
Games and Activities
Here are a few games you can play with your 40-week-old baby:
1. Peekaboo
This game can help your baby get over any separation anxiety. Hiding your face and showing it again helps them know you are physically present even if they can’t see you.
2. Clap Hands
Play a game of clapping your hands and encourage your baby to as well. This can help them coordinate his hand movements.
3. Eyes, Nose and Mouth
Play a game where you ask your baby to point out where his eyes, nose and mouth are. This can help him learn the names of different body parts.
4. Dance and Sing
As your baby will be able to walk now, you can further encourage his mobility by dancing and singing alongside him.
[Also Read: 9 Months Old Baby Games and Activities]
When to Consult a Doctor
Here are times you need to consult your doctor regarding your 40-week-old infant's development:
To seek guidance on topics like your baby’s feeding, sleeping, safety and development routine over the next one month, and what 40-week-old baby milestones to expect.
Questions like what new food you can introduce to your baby, when can fish, meat, egg whites and citrus be introduced (if not already), and when you can start weaning your baby away from your breast or the bottle.
40 weeks is a challenging age for your baby, so it is important as a parent to never compare your baby with another, even if the other baby shows different developments at 40 weeks of age. Don’t let self-doubt creep in. Every baby is different.
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Why Faking an Orgasm is Completely Okay
Sometimes, romance is simply not enough to spark your sexual desire. The question of women faking orgasms is therefore valid and surprisingly, it can actually improve your sex life! Better still, it can create a stronger emotional bond between the two of you.
Faking the big ‘O’? Maybe you don't want to hurt your husband, or maybe you want to turn yourself on. Orgasms are the ultimate sensations, enough to make you feel euphoric. But for women, it’s not easy to always reach a climax and every so often, you may fake it. It doesn't make you a liar; it just means you want to please your man and yourself at the same time.
Top Reasons Why Women Fake Orgasms
1. You’re not in the mood
How many times have you felt like saying this? Of course, you won't mind a little bit of cuddling, hugging and sleeping in his arms, but the act of sex may not always be appealing. This is when women consider faking orgasms. After all, keeping your husband's interests in mind is also important just like he keeps yours! Anticipate his desires like you want him to anticipate your emotions. It may just get you in the mood.
2. You want to turn yourself on
Moaning and fantasising can actually lead to the real thing. If you’re 'doing it', try to get yourself turned on. A little foreplay and shutting out unwanted thoughts from your mind can give you a real orgasm or at least arouse you enough to enjoy making love. If faking an orgasm can excite your man, then seeing him so passionate can make you feel excited as well.
3. You don't want to hurt your man
This is another reason why women fake orgasms; they hate the look of disappointment on their husband's face. The good news is that faking a climax can actually spice up your bedroom chemistry. It’s also a secret way to keep your man interested in you. A little seductive moaning will help him feel confident in his lovemaking abilities and that could in turn arouse you. Wow!
4. To give him direction
Sometimes you prefer faking an orgasm rather than coming up with an explanation why you’re not climaxing. Besides, faking it can be a way to give him directions. For instance, maybe you like the way he kisses you while making love and there are other things you don’t like. Instead of telling him outright, you can steer him where you want to.
5. To communicate
Good communication is the key to making a relationship last. Why do women fake orgasms then instead of just talking it over? The fact is, and you know it already, men and women are biologically different. It may be hard for you to climax if you're too stressed out, for instance. Faking a climax can be a good way to feel sexually and emotionally connected to your husband.
There are many reasons, myths and facts about women faking orgasms. But contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing negative about it. It’s just a way of turning yourself on and trying to communicate with your man. After all, faking it may often be a quick way to make it real! Read more
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A Guide to Preschool Learning
The preschool years of a child are marked by a fascination for learning about things in the environment, manipulating objects, forming a foundation to reading, writing and arithmetic, and also learning about social interactions. The preschool curriculum in school is designed around these learning goals.
A child’s preschool years are filled with many adventurous moments. The preschool years are filled a huge scope of social, physical, emotional and intellectual development. The skills learned during this period can prime your child for the rest of his or her life.
Preschool seems like only fun and games to most parents but there is an intense amount of learning and brain-work that is happening behind the scenes. Children at this stage will learn through doing creative activities and playing. Preschool is also a time for learning positive self-esteem and good habits. According to Josie Meade from Creative Kids Preschool located in California, if a child feels good about his or herself and feels proud even after making a mistake, then everything will fall into place. At this stage, it is important to cheer your child’s successes. Allow them to fall, make mistakes and feel okay about it. The preschool child will learn and move on.
What is Included in the Preschool Curriculum?
The preschool curriculum has multi-faceted goals. The curriculum includes introducing preschool children to language, speech, colours, shapes, basic numeracy, art and social skills. Pre school learning can be divided into the following categories:
Sounds and Letters
During this time, the preschooler will learn about all 26 uppercase and some lowercase letters. They will also learn to name them. Some will learn to recognize their first name and start to imprint it. Common words like dad, mom and cat may also be recognizable to the child. Preschool children will also be exposed to the sounds of letters, particularly if they are in a school program where phonics is taught. Children who are exposed to reading, books and lots of conversation will pick up the concept of letters and sounds very quickly.
Objects, Shapes and Colours
At preschool, children will learn the names of most colours, body parts and basic shapes. Many are introduced to shapes, colours and body parts at home, but this continues in school. Games involving objects , body parts and colour identification are often played.
Counting and Numbers
Most preschool children will learn to identify and recognize number 1 through 10. Preschool teaching of numbers generally involves rote counting, repetition, or physical counting of objects. Preschool children are taught how numbers 0 through 9 look. With counting, memorization is first encouraged, particularly the order of numbers.
Drawing and Cutting
Drawing and cutting encourage the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. At this stage, children will learn to hold crayons, color pencils, paint brushes and glue sticks. They will learn to use scissors and may cut paper.
Sharing and Socialization
The development of social skills goes into fast forward when the child enters preschool. During this time, the child will learn to share, co-operate, take turns and work together. Children are encouraged to take part in group activities like circle time and are also encouraged to do partner activities.
The preschool years are a time when exponential growth of a child’s learning occurs. This will form the foundation for the child’s academic years ahead. Read more
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Celebrating Menstruation? Yes, at the June Ambubachi Mela, Assam
As if surviving the discomfort of your monthly period wasn't hard enough, society throws in your face a number of taboos. This is why you might be surprised to know that the Ambubachi Mela, Assam celebrates the yearly menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya with great fervour! As many as 10 lakh pilgrims are expected this year at the Mela from June 22 to 26.
The Ambubachi Mela is organised at the famous Kamakhya Temple which is said to be the ‘birthplace of Earth’. Goddess Kamakhya is considered to be the embodiment of desire and fertility, her temple frequented by pilgrims all through the year. In fact, it is also one of the oldest “shakti peethas” or religious sites in India. What's intriguing is that in a country where many still shy away from the subject of menstruation and consider women “unclean” during their monthly cycle, this festival almost seems an aberration.
5 Fascinating Facts About Ambubachi Mela, Assam
The menstrual cycle of the Goddess is said to last three days. These are the days when the temple remains closed to visitors and devotees refrain from worshipping. The four-day Mela commences after the yearly menstruation is deemed to be over.
You'll see an overdose of the colour red at the Ambubachi Mela. Symbolic of the menstrual blood the Goddess has shed, devotees figuratively paint the town red and chant “Mother Earth is menstruating”.
Guess what you get for prasad? Small bits of red cloth said to be moist with the menstrual fluid of Goddess Kamakhya! This is considered highly auspicious and is sought after by the hordes of devotees queuing up at the temple.
The Mela is held annually during the monsoons for a reason. “Ambubachi” in Sanskrit means “issuing forth of water or ambu”. It is believed that the nurturing power of Mother Earth's menses will improve the fertility of land. This ties in with the onset of monsoon in the region.
The Mela is considered the perfect time for “tantrik” cults who endeavour to gain powers by observing tough penances to please the Goddess. Sadhus and tantriks flock in from countries across the globe!
Fascinating? Ambubachi Mela can be an offbeat but inspiring getaway for you this June. The temple is situated close to Guwahati city in Assam – accessible by air as well train. Also, the state government ensures a smooth transport and stay arrangement so devotees can make the most of their time. Go ahead and experience the Ambubachi mood that celebrates an often silenced aspect of womanhood! Read more
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
15 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
15 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
12 hours ago
Q. My breasts feel full and heavy, but there’s no milk when pumping and during feeding baby —what do I do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
12 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
7 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
5 hours ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Swati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. Yes but first give in very small quantity to judge the reaction of your baby.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
3 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
3 hours ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
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