Your baby’s 25th week
Infant swings and bouncing chairs will be favorites at this age. Your little one may be quietly lulled to sleep by the gentle motion of a swing or be kept happily playing by himself as he bounces in a stationary entertainer chair. Be sure to encourage plenty of floor time as well. He’ll begin studying object and toys as he learns how they work. Watch his expressions turn from puzzled determination to absolute amazement and pride as he unlocks each little mystery.
Your baby will use his whole hand like a little rake to reach for and drag nearby objects closer to him. Be forewarned, your determined little one may become frustrated and cry when he can’t reach items that have peaked his interest. Though he may be able to scoot about the floor this movement is somewhat difficult and cumbersome. Stay close and hand him new toys occasionally. These cries should subside as he learns to crawl.
Your baby’s 26th week
Your little one may begin to show an interest in the foods you are eating. Chances are he’s now ready to begin eating solids himself. Although it’s tempting to offer new and interesting tastes in rapid succession, experts advise that you wait at least four to five days between each new food (and even more time is recommended). This will allow time for him to be come accustomed to the taste, his body time to adjust to the new nutrients and will provide a window in which to observe any reactions he may have to an individual food. As you introduce solids, remember, experts advise that breastmilk should still make up 75 percent of your baby’s daily nutritional intake during the second half of his first year.
