Child development at 20 weeks after birth

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by resident doctor Ho Thi Hong Tho - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital
At this time, you can start to train your baby to recognize the time and sleep habits of the night. Repeat actions that can stimulate the child to sleep better every night such as bathing the child, reading stories to the child, feeding the baby, singing a lullaby... To create this habit for the child will take quite a while. It takes a lot of time and effort, so it's a good idea to share this work with your husband or caregiver.

1. 20-week-old baby milestone

Until now, the baby is still thriving. That means it's time to start planning for introducing foods other than breast milk or formula. While this is an exciting new stage, it's pretty important for your child's long-term health, as well as their immune system.
That said, there are also studies that show that introducing foods to babies early can increase the risk of allergies in children up to 80%. When you're planning your baby's menu, don't forget the ingredients should include things like nuts, eggs, and cow's milk.
Here are some more tips for choosing foods for your baby's first introduction:
The best first foods for your baby:
Vegetables: are the first foods you should choose for your baby to provide special vitamins A, C, some minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium. Besides creating an attractive taste, diverse colors Beans: provide other necessary proteins for the baby, very easily absorbed and rich in iron Fish: a source of precious amino acids, vitamins, minerals , Omega-3 fatty acids for babies Besides weaning, the continued supply of breast milk for babies is essential. Poultry and red meat: excellent sources of protein and a rich source of minerals iron and zinc Grains: Corn, potatoes, brown rice, oats, green beans, black beans, red beans are grains with Very high fiber content. Mothers can feed the baby with these cereals 2-3 times per week to add fiber to the baby and also to change the taste with the regular rice menu to help the baby eat more delicious Eggs: considered a real food. Perfect product for babies when it contains protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamins D, B12, E, chlorin and folic acid abundantly, but eating eggs is easy to make your baby full, therefore nutritionists recommend at least 6 months should be used for babies, especially egg whites should be given to children when they are 1 year old and up

How to prepare and store baby food:
Do not give your baby processed foods such as meat, sugar, salt and fat. Avoid giving your baby some potentially harmful foods such as liver because the vitamin A content in the liver is too high, unpasteurized products like cheese. Feed your baby fresh and cooked foods. When changing the menu, it takes time for children to get used to it. Avoid foods with risk of poisoning, allergies such as cheese, raw or rare foods, hard-boiled eggs, liver pate.

2. Should a 20-week-old baby practice weaning at night?

This is the big question moms have and it's also a new, exciting chapter you and your baby are about to begin working on. It's important to educate yourself about the best foods to introduce your baby to first and which foods you may want to avoid. Introduce your baby to new foods slowly, giving them time to develop and taste for each food. (When to start weaning)

3. 20 weeks old baby ready for sitting position

Your baby may soon sit up without any help. This milestone first occurs around 5 months of age, but at first your baby will be quite shaky and will lean forward for balance. This movement will gradually become more stable over time, and usually by 9 months, your baby will be able to hold himself upright without falling. During this week, your baby should be able to lift both arms and legs off the floor when he's lying on his back.

4. Sleep and some other activities

You've come a long way from your baby days. Right now, your baby may wake up more during the day, and his nighttime sleep lasts longer and sleeps more deeply. In addition, babies at this stage also want to spend time practicing their new skills: grabbing things, rolling over, talking, and playing quietly alone.
Your baby may end up stuffing his mouth full of stuff - or stuffing everything in there for taste and texture. Baby still has a strong urge to suck, which strengthens the muscles of the mouth. Baby's hand-eye coordination in games will help him become more agile. You need to pay attention to support your baby when needed.

5. 20 weeks old baby gaining weight

Between 4 and 6 months of age, your baby will double his birth weight. Baby's weight gain is fastest in the first 6 months of life. After that, growth generally slows, although your baby will still go through some growth spurts. Babies triple their weight by their first birthday.

6. Beware of allergies for 20-week-old babies

In other health information, if you or your husband have allergies, such as hay fever or skin sensitivities (for example, to wool or certain cleaning chemicals...), you You may wonder if your child will develop them too at some point in their life. The main symptoms of this condition can include sneezing or watery eyes, which can be easily confused with the common cold, although allergies can persist longer than otherwise.
Look for symptoms such as dryness, redness or itching, rash, stuffy nose, watery eyes and sneezing and, rarely, difficulty breathing (if this happens, call your doctor immediately) . Your pediatrician can help you figure out what's causing your baby's reaction to this allergic condition, such as: breathing in the air, a new soap, and he or she may prescribe the use of: Take some antihistamines to get rid of the condition.
When a child shows abnormal signs of health, parents can take the child to Vinmec Health system for timely examination and treatment.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health System, Pediatrics Department - Vinmec International General Hospital always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts thanks to the following advantages:
gathers a team of leading doctors and doctors in Pediatrics: including leading experts, with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, having worked in different hospitals. big hospitals like Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, have a heart - reach, understand young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: parents.com; motherandbaby.co.uk
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