Your 14-Week-Old Baby

Milestone: Laughing

Thought those sweet smiles were great? Well, they are…but this next milestone takes happiness to a new level.

At around three or four months old, your baby will start to laugh. (Hello, instant mood booster for exhausted parents!) Laughter stimulates your baby’s budding social and communication skills. They’ll love seeing the silly things you do to get them to giggle, and you’ll love seeing their magical response.

From shrieks of joy to full belly laughs, you’ll be a key source of entertainment, as well as one of “those” people who makes over-the-top moo sounds in public. The good news is, you have an easy audience. Pretty much anything you do or say can be interpreted as hilarious. On the other hand, you might have a kiddo with a more serious temperament (so you’ll have to work a little harder).

The opportunities for a good laugh session are endless. So just go with whatever cracks your kiddo up and have fun! Here are some ideas:

• Read a book with different voices for each character
• Sing your baby’s favorite song and change your pitch here and there
• Create your own sound effects in everyday conversation (pop, gurgle, whistle)
• Blow raspberries on your baby’s tummy
• Play peek-a-boo (the surprise factor Never.Gets.Old.)
• Say the nursery rhyme “This Little Piggy” while wiggling their tiny toes
• Make animal noises (always a crowd pleaser)
• Pretend to “steal” their nose
• Gently tickle
• Sit your tot on your lap and lightly bounce them up and down while holding onto their arms—your first foray into being a horse.

The real deal on postpartum hair loss

Maybe you didn’t exactly feel like you were glowing when you were pregnant, but one thing you probably had going for you was gorgeous, shiny, shampoo-commercial hair.

Unfortunately, those days of luxurious locks may be coming to an end. At around three months postpartum, you’ll probably notice more hair than usual clogging the shower drain and piling up in your brush. But don’t stress. This rapid loss is temporary. Your hair will go back to its usual growth cycle somewhere between 6-12 months post birth.

Here’s why it happens: hormones! (Because, of course.) During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause more hair to stay on your head in the “growth phase,” instead of shedding like they normally would. Once your baby is born, another bout of hormonal changes causes more hair to enter a “resting phase,” which is followed by shedding. This is when you’ll notice that tell-tale hair loss.

While you wait for your tresses to go back to their normal state (and figure out what to do with those wispy little bangs you suddenly have!), get a cute haircut so you feel good and try not to overbrush your hair. If things aren’t settling back to your usual hair patterns, talk to your doctor about potential underlying conditions.

Can I give my baby water?

Nope, not yet. Your kiddo is getting all the hydration, nutrition and calories they need from breastmilk or formula. While water sounds refreshing to you (especially on a hot day), it won’t bring any added value to your child’s diet. Rather, it’ll fill up tiny tummies, making them too full for the fluid that’s most important for good health and growth.

According to KellyMom, a resource providing evidence-based information on breastfeeding and parenting, exclusively breastfed babies don’t need additional water—breastmilk is 88% water and supplies all the fluids your baby needs. And when mixing formula, be sure to follow the instructions so you’re using the correct amount of water. It shouldn’t be diluted or too concentrated.

Once you start solids (usually around six months), offer a few sips of water with meals. This helps get babies used to the taste of plain water, which can be a process when they’re not used to it. Plus, a little water can help prevent constipation with the introduction of new foods.

Best bottle drying racks

You know you’re a parent when you’re genuinely excited about having the perfect place for bottles to dry. (It’s the little things, right?). Since counter space is a hot commodity these days, you’ll want a drying rack that’s compact, but also provides plenty of room for all those bottle parts, pacifiers, teethers, and pump pieces. While hand washing is probably not your favorite task, these six standout bottle drying racks make it better.