GROWTH MILESTONES OF YOUR BABY – MONTH ON MONTH

As a new parent or even an accomplished one, keeping a tab on your baby’s growth reveals so much about their health! These are the unspoken signs which can be monitored days and even months on end! Also, it is such a pleasant feeling to see your little bundle’s personality unravel. So, parents, here is a brief list of important growth milestones for your baby. We will also introduce a common but relatively lesser-known fibre that is known to help your baby’s growth and development.

Important milestones for your baby 1

By 1 month

Your baby is still governed by his/her reflexes. They can follow the objects with their eyes and are now starting to recognize you! If you lay them on their tummy, they will try to lift their heads up!

By 2 months

As their brain learns new things, your baby now smiles and reacts to your voice. They can focus on a toy for long. Tummy time is much more enjoyable for them as they prop their head up, move their hands, they tiny fingers ready to grasp anything lying around

By 4 months

Things will start to become fun; they start talking to you by making cooing sounds. Their sharp brain now associated breastfeeding with food, so they will open their mouth. Physically they become stronger, trying to prop themselves when on the tummy. When a toy is too interesting, straight it goes into their mouth!

By 6 months

Your baby starts becoming more expressive. They let you know they are hungry; mouth is still the preferred source to explore an object. They will try to attempt a push up when on the tummy. They start responding, smiling to you. All in all, fun begins! This is also the time when solids are introduced to your baby.

What to watch out for

Breastfeeding should be the preferred mode of nutrition for your baby. It has all the nutrients, at the correct temperature and so easy to feed! One in 10 babies might experience constipation or trouble pooping when solid foods are introduced.2, 3 New diet, shifting to solid foods and sometimes allergies can cause constipation in babies.4 Just as adults get relief with fibre, even your baby can get some relief with a fibre called FOS or fructooligosaccharides (Fruc-toh-oli-go-sack-a-rides). They are found naturally in tomatoes, apples, honey, and chicory root.5 Good fibre like FOS absorb water and turns into a soft mushy jelly. This mushy jelly helps in easy passing of poop without hurting your baby. Thus, FOS supports good gut health.

There’s more to FOS beyond easing stools 5 – 8

FOS being a fibre is not digested and goes into your baby’s tummy as it is. It is here it boosts the numbers of good bacteria. This means reduced sickness in your baby and better growth. Apart from this, FOS helps in absorbing calcium which strengthens bones and teeth of your baby.

Hence, FOS supports babies’ gut health as well as overall growth and development.

Final takeaway

Your baby’s milestones are a key window to their development! Hence it is important to keep a check on them! Breastfeeding is the best feeding for your baby as it provides all the nutrients! Moreover, parenting a journey that has to be enjoyed thoroughly! So happy parenting.

References

  1. CDC. Important milestones for your baby. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2mo.html. Accessed on: 8th January 2023
  2. Loening-Baucke V. Prevalence, symptoms and outcome of constipation in infants and toddlers. J Pediatr. 2005 Mar;146(3):359-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2004.10.046. PMID: 15756220.
  3. Constipation in infants and children: Evaluation. Extract available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/constipation-in-infants-and-children-evaluation. Accessed on: 19 December 2022.
  4. Walter AW, Hovenkamp A, Devanarayana NM, Solanga R, Rajindrajith S, Benninga MA. Functional constipation in infancy and early childhood: epidemiology, risk factors, and healthcare consultation. BMC Pediatr. 2019 Aug 15;19(1):285. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1652-y. PMID: 31416431; PMCID: PMC6694472.
  5. Sabater-Molina M, Larqué E, Torrella F, Zamora S. Dietary fructooligosaccharides and potential benefits on health. J Physiol Biochem. 2009;65(3):315-28.
  6. Oku T and Nakamura S. Fructooligosaccharide: Metabolism through Gut Microbiota and Prebiotic Effect. Food Nutr J. 2017;2:128.
  7. Costa G, Vasconcelos Q, Abreu G, Albuquerque A, Vilarejo J, Aragão G. Changes in nutrient absorption in children and adolescents caused by fructans, especially fructooligosaccharides and inulin. Arch Pediatr. 2020;27(3):166-169.
  8. Juffrie M. Fructooligosaccharide and Diarrhea. Biosci Microflora. 2002; 21 (1): 31-34.