51-Week-Old Baby
As baby’s first birthday approaches, you might be wishing time didn’t go quite so fast. Back up all those photos—and consider making a baby memory and keepsake book for their first year. Here’s what you can expect at 51 weeks.
Growth
The average weight for a 51-week-old baby is 19.6 pounds for girls and 21.1 pounds for boys. The average length is 29 inches for girls and 29.7 inches for boys. At your upcoming 12-month checkup, your pediatrician will measure baby and take a look at their growth chart to make sure they’re growing as expected.
Emerging skills
What isn’t baby learning this week? With baby’s pincer grasp maturing, they’re likely showing off their fine motor skills during mealtimes. Baby might also be getting better at using a spoon—so keep on practicing! Babbles are becoming more sophisticated, and by their first birthday baby will likely say “mama” and “dada”, as well as at least one other word. At this age, most babies can pull themselves to a standing position and are steadily working on independent walking.
Feeding
While solid food is undoubtedly playing more of a starring role in baby’s nutrition, that doesn’t mean you need to stop breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. However, baby’s milk intake should start to taper down at this age. It’s also best to offer solid food before milk feeds. If baby is eating all three of their daily meals enthusiastically and wants to breastfeed on demand, go for it—there are many health benefits to breastfeeding past one year of age.
Sleep
As baby gets closer to turning one, their sleep needs will slightly decrease to 11 to 14 hours per 24-hour period—though, of course, every baby and toddler’s needs are individual. No matter how long they sleep, maintaining a consistent bedtime routine with soothing activities like a warm bath and storytime will go a long way toward ensuring a good night’s sleep for baby (and you!).
What “officially” counts as a word when baby starts talking?
A true first word can be hard to pin down. But if you ask the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the definition of a “word” comes down to any sound that consistently refers to the same person, object or event. So if baby says “ba” when they mean ball, you should treat “ba” as a word—but use “ball” when you speak to them so they’ll eventually learn the correct word.
Weaning baby
Some babies naturally taper off breastfeeding as they eat more solid foods and learn to drink from a cup, according to the AAP. But others continue into toddlerhood and wean themselves as they become more physically active and less willing to sit still to nurse. If you’re ready to wean, slow and steady wins the race (otherwise you risk issues such as mastitis or clogged ducts). You can start by replacing nursing with other forms of nutrition and closeness, and shortening your nursing sessions. You can also use the “don’t offer, don’t refuse” strategy. Remember that the emotional component of breastfeeding can be important for older babies and toddlers, so be sure to offer lots of cuddles and other forms of affection in the meantime. Don’t feel pressured to wean unless you are ready.
Toddler sleep
Can you believe your baby is about to become a toddler?! But just like babies, toddlers need lots of sleep and solid naps. At 12 months old, your tot will need about 11 to 14 hours of sleep in total and will likely still take two naps a day. By the time they're 18 months old, they may drop down to one afternoon snooze. How can you tell when they're ready? If they can operate on slightly less sleep without meltdowns.
- Find some “mom friends.” Easier said than done, we know. But finding like-minded parents will serve you well into toddlerhood and beyond, and could benefit your mental health too. Check out local social media groups—or an app that will help you find your tribe.
- First birthday outfit. Baby’s big day calls for a special outfit! Check out these swoon-worthy party looks.
- Subscription boxes). These boxes can be a great way to try new and unique toys and activities for baby, and since they’re curated based on your child’s age, they’ll keep pace with your kiddo as they transition into toddlerhood. You can swap your items with friends or neighbors for more variety.
Poking is likely a big part of baby’s life right now! Satisfy their urge by handing them an old phone or keyboard and showing them how to press the buttons. You can also glue different textures of fabric at the bottom of each section of an egg carton or old ice tray. Baby will love exploring all the different textures!
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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