42-Week-Old Baby
42-Week-Old Baby
Baby might be looking and acting more like a toddler with each day. (Cue all the feels!) Now that they’re 42 weeks old, baby is grabbing, pulling and banging things, expressing their emotions, and crawling and maybe even cruising along. Here’s more of what you can expect in baby development at 42 weeks.
Growth
A 42-week-old boy is on average 28.6 inches long and weighs around 20.1 pounds. Girls are on average 28 inches long and weigh around 18.5 pounds. If baby is outside of these ranges, that’s okay. What’s most important is that baby’s growth is on a steady curve at their checkups.
Emerging skills
Baby is continuing to fine-tune their pincer grasp. You can help baby practice this skill by filling an empty wipes box with colorful tissue paper or fabric, and showing them how to pull it through the top of the box. Baby is also imitating you, showing a variety of emotions and laughing—which makes games like peekaboo extra fun. Practice facial expressions with them by making some of your own. Baby could also be starting to “cruise” by holding on to edges of furniture, all in preparation for their first steps.
Feeding
If baby’s nursing, you likely feed them five times a day or so, but this can vary widely. Formula-fed babies will drink around five bottles a day, generally around 4 to 6 ounces with a bigger bottle right before bed (just don’t exceed 32 ounces in a 24-hour period). But keep in mind, these are just averages. As long as baby has wet diapers and there are no concerns from their pediatrician, they’re doing great! As baby continues to explore solids, stick with purees, soft foods and foods cut into small pieces. Avoid choking hazards like whole grapes and nuts, and steer clear of cow’s milk or honey until baby’s first birthday.
Sleep
Your 42-week-old should be sleeping for about 12 to 16 hours every 24-hour period, with nine to 12 of them at night and the rest spread out between a morning and afternoon nap. At least, that’s the goal. Teething, colds and developmental milestones can all throw off sleep. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
Common ailments
Ear infections
Ear infections can crop up at this age, particularly in the winter months. Look for fever, loss of appetite, pulling at the ears and general fussiness as signs. You’ll want to take a trip to the pediatrician for advice on next steps—they may prescribe a course of antibiotics. Unfortunately, it’s tough to prevent this common baby malady, but good hygiene (wash your hands!), staying up-to-date on baby’s vaccinations and breastfeeding for as long as possible all helps keep ear infections to a minimum.
Can baby eat eggs?
While old guidelines instructed parents to wait, that all changed as of 2008. Baby can eat eggs as soon as you first start feeding solids at around 6 months of age. You can offer baby small, bite-sized pieces of scrambled or hard-boiled egg. (With hard-boiled, make sure you also offer water to help manage the dry yolk.) If baby has allergic reactions to other foods or if there’s a family history of allergies, talk to their pediatrician before starting eggs.
Should baby be crawling by now?
Babies typically start crawling between 7 and 10 months. But not every baby crawls in the traditional way—and some babies skip this step and go straight to standing, cruising and trying to walk. Baby could be scooting on their bottom, slithering on their stomach or rolling from one place to another. As long as baby is coordinating each side of their body and using each arm equally, there’s no need to worry. What’s most important is that baby is exploring their surroundings and strengthening their body in preparation for walking.
Choking
Since baby is likely eating more solid foods these days, choking can start to be a concern. To help prevent it, be sure to avoid common choking hazards like nuts, seeds, cherries with pits, whole grapes, uncooked vegetables, hot dogs, larger chunks of meat and cheese and popcorn. It’s a great idea to take a class on baby choking and infant CPR so you can be prepared.
Weaning off the bottle
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends phasing out bottles by 18 months old or earlier, since prolonged bottle-feeding can cause health issues such as cavities. You can gradually eliminate bottle feedings at naps or bedtime while keeping them for meals. Be ready to offer extra cuddles or bedtime stories instead so baby feels reassured. Offer a straw cup or sippy cup to practice.
- Read a book you’ve been excited about. Caring for baby can keep you so busy that you push your hobbies to the side. Here’s your sign to pick up that book—even if it’s for just 10 minutes. If you need to stay on the move, try listening to an audiobook.
- Building blocks. Show baby how to stack the blocks, count them as you go and discuss the colors as you play—these are sure to spark baby’s creativity.
Not only can baby now confidently sit unassisted, but they’re also likely crawling around the house. A great activity for 42-week-old babies is playing with a soft ball. You can have baby sit with their legs splayed out and roll the ball to them to receive, or roll the ball across a room and vocally encourage baby to crawl after it. Not only will this help build up baby’s core muscles, but it’ll also help develop their vocabulary and listening skills.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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