6 Week Old Baby Development

6 Week Old Baby Milestones 👶

Why Tummy Time?

This week, you may notice baby’s neck muscles strengthen as she is able to hold her head up for short periods of time. Placing your little one on their tummy may help encourage them to lift their heads, which helps strengthen the neck muscles. Think of this as baby’s “exercise” and let him practice several times a day. Take a look here for more info on the importance of tummy time.

While you’re playing with your newborn, there’s one other very simple exercise you can do to help baby reach important milestones, like sitting up, crawling, and walking:

1. Lay baby down, nice and straight.
2. Take baby’s hands, and let them pull themselves up, activating the core.
3. Once baby is in a sitting position, gently guide baby into a final standing position.
4. Repeat going back down. (This time, baby will go from standing to sitting, then from sitting to standing.)
5. Repeat the entire sequence as many times as baby wants.

Read more about this baby exercise (plus a few others) here.

Colic may rear its head

Unfortunately, it might not be all fun and games this week. And nothing strikes fear in a new mom like the possibility that baby might be colic. Babies cry—there’s nothing unusual about that. But you might suspect you’re dealing with something more if:

1. Your baby cries for 3 hours a day,
2. for at least 3 days a week,
3. for 3 consecutive weeks,

One thing’s for sure: These symptoms can really cause feelings of helplessness and frustration in mama and papa. Luckily, there are natural ways to treat baby colic—read more here. You’re doing great!

You at 6 Weeks Postpartum 👩

This week marks six weeks postpartum! Now is the time to check in with your doctor about your physical recovery from birth. Continue to nourish your body from the inside out. If you’re still breastfeeding, make sure you continue to eat plentifully for proper milk production and ease your way back into more activity. Slow and steady wins the race!

The best way to keep your postpartum body healthy and thriving is with nourishing herbs meant just for you.

• Red raspberry leaf tea is a known prenatal tonic that aids in toning the uterus back into shape. It’s also rich in vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.
• Lavender and chamomile are calming herbs that support a new mom’s frazzled nervous system and help with aching muscles and joints.
• Energizing mushroom powders like Chaga and Cordyceps or zippy kombucha are great for moms who need a jumpstart and don’t just want to rely on coffee. Since these are more therapeutic, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider to see if they’re right for you.
• Fennel and fenugreek help with milk production (they’re natural galactogogues), plus they taste great. Fennel tea is especially helpful if baby is gassy or has colic—he/she will get the benefits through your breastmilk.
• Stinging Nettles is a nutrient powerhouse! It not only supports breastfeeding, but it’s also high in calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Plus, it helps quell histamine production. (Take that allergies!)

If you’re making too much breastmilk, talk to your provider about including parsley or peppermint into your diet or donating your extra milk to moms in need. Either way, use these herbs very judiciously. Add a scant teaspoon to veggies (parsley) or a smoothie (mint) versus making a tea—you don’t want to dry up your milk supply.

Hot Topics for Week 6 🔥

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Try This With Your 6 Week Old Baby

• Try baby exercise (seriously!) to help tone muscles and relieve gas
• Treat yourself to a postpartum massage