The 6th week of a baby's life: everything you need to know
- · Mother's health
- · The development of the child
- · Our tips
- · Not to be forgotten
Mother's health
6 Post partum week
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The return of the menstrual cycle after childbirth is called "foreman". From the day after the birth, however, it is possible to have dark leaks, called "lochiations", which can last up to a month.
In general, the actual head of the ward occurs between the sixth and eighth week after birth, and manifests itself with periods that are a little longer and more abundant than usual. The first two or three cycles can be blocked due to the production of prolactin, the hormone present in high levels in the blood during breastfeeding.
Prolactin can even cause the head of the ward to show up as soon as the baby has finished breastfeeding. However, it is not said why it can happen that the cycle occurs every month or appears without a specific frequency.
Be careful, however, because, contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding is not a contraceptive method!
The development of the child
The first smiles
Those that, during the past few weeks, seemed like simple reflections, now become real voluntary smiles. For your child, smiles are a way to respond to your requests, to establish a dialogue with you.
The little one is like a sponge, he is able to reproduce the expressions on your face, to imitate you. It is his way of learning.
Your baby also begins to discover his own body and its potential: he discovers his hands and their movements. A little at a time he will also learn to hold his head by himself: when he is raised, his head will gradually begin to stop falling back. At the end of the month, your baby will begin to stand on his forearms and open his hands fully .
Good to know
After 6 weeks, the frequency of defecations of some babies who are breastfed by the mother decreases. Sometimes, it is even one every 10 days. If the baby is fine, there is no reason to worry.
Our advice
The night bottle
Typically, the night bottle is no longer needed. Your baby should be able to sleep through the night without being woken by hunger. If, at night, he wakes you up with his crying, wait a bit before going to him: it is possible that he will go back to sleep alone.
Work or stay with the child?
If you wish, and if you can, stay home to take care of your baby. Know that taking care of a child is a real full-time job: as happens when you work, therefore, you will need to take breaks. Do as if you were in the office: organize coffee breaks with friends, go out with your little one ...
If, on the contrary, you prefer to go back to work, keep in mind that your child will need some time to get used to his new everyday life, to be with another person. First of all, talk to him, explain the situation to him: in his own way, he understands a lot more than you can believe, beyond words.
Try to spend some time at the nursery where you have decided to leave him, or with the babysitter who will take care of him. It is important that the child feels that you are calm, to be calm too.
Finally, if you have decided to employ a babysitter, make a detailed contract for her: this way you can immediately set the record straight. You could even use a notebook to communicate with her! Often, in fact, you don't have time to talk to her at the end of the day or to leave directions when you're rushing out in the morning to go to work ...
Not to be forgotten
Make an appointment with the pediatrician for the second month
Apply to the INPS and the employer for an optional leave from work
To learn more read also: The second month of the baby's life
See also: Kids that make you laugh: the funniest photos
