Your Baby Week 17

Does your baby like his car seat? While "we take him for a drive" is something we often hear as an option to calm a baby down and get them to sleep, the reality is that often babies do not like being in their car seats or driving down the road. Some babies will scream and cry from the second you strap them into the car, until the second you take them out. This often makes car trips, even to the grocery store, unpleasant for the whole family.

If this situation sounds familiar, there are some things you can do to try and ease your baby into happiness. First, make sure all the sun is blocked. If your car seat has a canopy or cover, use it, and if not, get some window shades that you can pull down and adjust. These can be found at just about any general store. Play some music that is soothing and calming for the baby. The music may catch his ears and he will calm down to listen to it.

When possible, have another person sit in the back seat with the baby. The interaction will help the baby feel more secure and know that they are not alone.

Week 17 Milestones

Your baby will be getting extremely interested in the world around him, looking for interaction with family members, friends, and sometimes even strangers. He will be starting to reach for more, possibly reaching for mom, dad, or others he feels comfortable around.

What to expect at the four month doctors visit

As always, your doctor will begin by weighing, measuring and charting your baby's growth since the last visit which was probably two months ago. You may have questions so make sure you take a list with you. Your doctor will talk to you about any concerns you might have and begin discussing starting the baby on some solids and cereal if you haven't already. Your baby will also be receiving another round of immunizations this month.

What Might Concern You at 17 Weeks

Did your baby stay on a good curve this month? Most babies will grow in a nice arc at the doctor's appointment, but you might notice a slight dip one month. Babies have growth spurts at different times which can affect the "look" of the curve. If you are concerned about how your baby is growing, make sure you mention it to the doctor at the four month visit.

This time last year...

You were 5 Weeks Pregnant!   Can you believe it? Time flies too fast! Be sure you start chronicling these infant memories now by creating your free baby journal today!

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