The development of the 26-week-old baby after birth

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally approved by Doctor Nguyen Thai Ngoc Chau - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital
And Master, Doctor Huynh Bao Toan - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital. The doctor has 13 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics.
When your baby is 26 weeks old, you will see many changes in your baby's body and mind. At this time, children can eat some solid foods and weigh from 7.0 - 8.6 kg for boys and 6.5 - 8.2 kg for girls. So 26-week-old babies know what to do and what parents need to do to support their development.

1. How does a 26-week-old baby develop?

During these weeks, your baby's mother will discover many new needs of the baby such as:
Motor skills increase: By the time your baby enters the 26th week, she is already able to roll over, crawl and then sit down. . Pay attention to the voice: The part of the brain that receives the sound will be active during this time. This is because it is developing at a fast rate and you can notice a noticeable difference in your child's hearing perception. Teething: During this time, baby teeth will come out, which is a sign that your baby can start eating solid foods. In addition, the 26-week-old baby is also able to:
Use fingers: At this time, the baby knows how to use all fingers flexibly. Baby can move to reach for an object and grab it. Distinguishing familiarity: Children have learned to follow their mothers and relatives and cry or scream when strangers hold them. Basic sounds: Children will make loud sounds when they want to express their feelings or interest in an object or simply when being played by loved ones. Children's hearing develops at a rapid rate: Children may turn around when they hear a loved one call or hear an interesting sound. Sitting without support: Children can sit without any support and do not fall because their back muscles are stronger. Neck flexibility: The neck muscles are now toned, and the child will be able to control his neck and turn around to see everything. Play more: Children tend to play with friends and enjoy new things.

2. Caring for a 26-week-old baby

2.1 Regarding nutrition, mothers should practice feeding their children solid foods. However, babies still get their nutrients mainly from breast milk and formula at this time.
To limit constipation, in weaning foods you can combine with some foods rich in fiber such as oats and brown rice.
This is also the time for children to practice drinking water. Make sure you boil the water before giving it to your child. You can give your child a bottle to drink to prevent choking.
In the process of weaning, do not force the child to eat if he does not like it, at this time eating for the child is just a form of acquaintance.
2.2 Sleep Many cases of babies at 26 weeks of age sleep day and night. Disturbed sleep can be caused by a variety of factors such as teething and nighttime eating. You should stop the night feedings and adjust the baby's sleep.

3. Some notes to know when taking care of children

Children are in the process of discovering the world around them, and the appearance of bruises is inevitable. So, protect your children in your home or play areas by taping sharp edges. This is the time when babies are teething and babies can put anything they can reach into their mouths. Therefore, do not leave small objects under 3cm and dangerous objects within the reach of children. Make sure there isn't any choking hazard for the child. You also need to regularly clean your child's toys.

Children's hearing and visual abilities at this stage are almost as complete as adults. Children gradually learn how to use the means of language. He also enjoys repeating certain syllables like "ba", "ma". The more you respond to your baby's communication cues, the more your baby learns. If your child uses his left hand often, avoid trying to encourage him to use his right hand. It will inhibit the child's dexterity; There is no evidence that they will be right- or left-handed until they are 2-3 years old. With free time, it is advisable to create a habit for children to become familiar with books by reading stories to children, creating bright images to attract children's attention. Let your child go out to relax and meet other children of the same age. A 26-week-old baby needs 5mg of elemental zinc/day to eat well, reach the correct height and weight and exceed the standard. Zinc plays a role in affecting most biological processes taking place in the body, especially the breakdown of nucleic acids, proteins... Organs in the body when zinc deficiency can lead to a There are a number of diseases such as neurological disorders, irritability, etc. Therefore, parents need to learn about the role of zinc and guide them to appropriate zinc supplements for their children.
In addition to zinc, parents also need to supplement their children with other important vitamins and minerals such as lysine, chromium, B vitamins,... errands.
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.
Reference sources: parents.com, mamanatural.com