Your Baby Week 23

Commercial baby food vs. homemade baby food is a hot topic these days. Before Gerber, there weren't many choices besides parents blending their own food for their baby. Today, commercial baby food has become an issue of convenience and a time saver for many families. Most of the baby food in jars at the supermarket do not have added sugars and salt, making them almost as good for your baby as what you can make at home, with the added convenience that they are packaged in meal sized portions for your baby.

If you have the time and want to be adventurous, making food for your baby can be very rewarding. You just have to remember to keep the foods you make as natural as possible. Don't add extra sugar, salt or fat trying to try to make it taste better for your baby. Especially early on, make sure the food is very thin and free of chunks that your baby could choke on. You can do this by making sure you have finely pureed or strained the food.

Photo of 23 week old Callie submitted by Babies Online member Sharon C.

Week 23 Milestones

You may see your baby get up on all fours this month and start crawling around. This is exciting for both you and your baby as your baby learns that they can now go anywhere they want. Make sure you have gates in doorways and by stairs where you don't want your baby to go, and make sure daily that your house is baby proofed adequately so that there is nothing the baby can get into, that will harm him.

What Might Concern You at 23 Weeks

You may find yourself waking up in the morning to find your baby, who fell asleep on his back, sleeping on his belly. This is worrisome to parents because of the fear of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and its' connection to belly sleeping.

Fortunately, experts tend to agree that the risk of SIDS decreases once a baby can roll over because at that point they are better able to protect themselves. However they still recommend always putting your baby down on his back to fall asleep vs. starting the night on his stomach, as well as making sure that the crib is safe and free from toys, pillows and blankets that the baby could suffocate on.

This time last year...

You were 11 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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