10-Week-Old Baby
Baby at 10 weeks old is more engaged and interactive than ever as they kick, stare and smile their way into your hearts. Here’s what to expect from 10-week-old baby development, milestones and more.
Growth
At 10 weeks, baby will continue to grow slowly but steadily. This month they’ll gain about 1 inch in length and up to 2 pounds in weight. Even their head circumference will continue to grow about 2 centimeters this month.
Emerging skills
There aren’t any major 10-week-old baby milestones, but that doesn’t mean that baby isn’t hard at work on those emerging skills. They’re continuing to build their gross and fine motor skills as they work on everything from rolling over (not yet, but soon!) to making their hands do what they want. You can help them practice by giving them safe items to hold, making sure they have plenty of tummy time to strengthen their muscles and continuing to smile at and cuddle with them.
Feeding
You may notice as the weeks go on that baby tends to get hungry around the same times each day. How much should a 10-week-old baby eat? Around 4 to 5 ounces every three to four hours is typical. If baby has at least five wet diapers a day, they’re probably getting the milk or formula that they need. For those who are bottle-feeding, aim to keep it under 32 ounces in a 24-hour period.
Sleep
One of the questions parents of infants get asked more than anything else is “how are they sleeping?” This can be a fraught question, since even a “good” sleeper at this age still isn’t likely to snooze longer than a five- or six-hour stretch overnight. Hopefully, 10-week-old baby sleep is becoming more regular as they continue to doze in more predictable patterns. At this age, infants still need 14 to 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, with 15.5 being a typical total amount. A baby at 10 weeks old will probably take three naps a day.
Common ailments
SIDS and SUIDs
To be clear, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUIDs) are far from common—in fact, they’re rare. But it’s important to know what the risk factors are and how to keep your child as safe as possible, since this type of tragedy happens most frequently between 2 and 4 months of age (though it can happen at any point in baby’s first year).
So how can you best prevent SIDS and SUIDs? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says to place baby on their back when it’s time for sleep on a firm, flat surface, and make sure there are no toys, pillows, blankets and other loose bedding in baby’s sleep space. If possible, have baby sleep in your room (but not your bed) for at least six months. Make sure baby doesn’t overheat, and don’t put a hat on them when you’re inside. Giving baby a pacifier and feeding baby breast milk have both been shown to lower the risk of SIDS, though you certainly don’t have to, depending on your family’s preference.
When should my 10-week-old baby go to bed?
There is no single answer to this question, since so much depends on the schedules and preferences of individual families, not to mention baby’s temperament. But, generally speaking, a good bedtime for a 10-weeks-old baby is 9 to 10 p.m.—which means that’s also a good bedtime for the parents. After 12 weeks this shifts earlier, closer to 7 or 8 p.m.
When can I take baby swimming?
Many parents feel more comfortable taking baby out around this time. Swimming is a great family activity, but there are things to keep in mind. At this age, babies lose heat quickly and aren’t yet able to regulate their temperature, so make sure the water is on the warmer side, at least 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The air temperature should be fairly warm as well, so baby can quickly warm up once they’re out. If you’re outdoors, dress baby in swimwear that covers their arms and legs, as well as a brimmed hat that will protect their face from the sun. Test the water, literally and metaphorically, for about 10 minutes the first time and take baby out as soon as they show any signs of shivering. Swim classes often begin around 6 months and are designed for baby and parent to enjoy the water together. The AAP recommends holding off until baby is one-year-old to begin formal lessons.
When to stop swaddling
Just when you’ve got this swaddling thing down pat, it’s time to think about stopping. There’s no hard and fast age at which you need to stop swaddling baby for sleep, but around 2 months is when the AAP advises parents to start thinking about it. That’s because babies can start trying to roll over at this age. Most babies reach this milestone around the three- or four-month mark, but as soon as they show signs of attempting to roll, you should stop swaddling for safety reasons. At this point, the Moro reflex has probably gone away, making swaddling less necessary. When the time comes, it may take a few days for baby to adjust, but they will. As an alternative, you can start to use sleep sacks, since they allow for sufficient movement.
Shaken baby syndrome
Intense, drawn out periods of crying is a lot for any parent to handle, especially when they’re sleep-deprived and mentally exhausted. Which is why it’s good to brush up on the dangers of shaken baby syndrome, which results from shaking baby. Babies under a year old are at risk, especially between 2 and 4 months old, when babies tend to cry a lot. Shaking a baby (and we’re not talking a little jiggle; this is forceful, deliberate shaking), even for just a few seconds, can lead to permanent brain damage and even potentially death. If baby is wailing and you feel your frustration mounting, put baby down in a safe place, like a crib or playard, and give yourself a break to cool off. Check on your little one every five to 10 minutes until you’ve calmed down and are ready to get back to it.
- Make a return-to-work plan. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) says that parents can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from work without penalty—but on average, fathers in the United States take just one week of parental leave, while the average length of maternity leave is 10 weeks. If a parent in your family is heading back to work, practice your routines so the first day back is as seamless as possible. Make sure baby is taking a bottle, your childcare is set up and you have a transportation plan in place. It may be hard at first, but just like the adjustment to parenthood, with time you’ll get in a groove.
- Emotionally prepare for back to work. It’s important to have your return-to-work logistics mapped out, but don’t forget about the emotional prep. It’s totally normal to have all kinds of feelings about this transition. Give yourself space to feel everything from sadness to elatement as you embark on this new phase, and resist any feelings of guilt. There will be an adjustment period, but that’s natural, and you’ll work out the kinks as you go.
- Know what to do if you get sick. You’ve probably thought about what to do when baby gets sick, but what happens when a parent falls ill? It depends on a few factors. In most instances, breastfeeding parents are encouraged to continue nursing or offering expressed milk since baby may get antibodies that will in turn protect them from the illness. To play it safe, check with your doctor first. Before handling baby, any sick parent should wash their hands and can consider wearing a mask to prevent the spread of germs. If possible, have another trusted, healthy adult care for baby as much as possible while you rest and recover.
- Sleep sacks. If you’re gearing up to ditch the swaddle, a sleep sack can be a nice next step. Since babies can’t safely sleep with a loose blanket yet, a sleep sack keeps baby warm and cozy without posing a suffocation hazard. These are our top picks.
- Breast pump bag. If you’re planning on pumping while at work, having a dedicated breast pump bag to transport your machine can be super handy, especially since many of them double as a cooler for your expressed milk.
This week you can help baby lay the groundwork, literally, for rolling. Babies typically start consistently and purposefully rolling from stomach to back when they’re 3 to 4 months old. Tummy time plays a big part in strengthening the muscles needed to roll, so keep that up. When your little one is on their tummy, you can start to demonstrate how they might roll from tummy to back by gently helping them along. They may be surprised at first, so you can follow it up with a “weeee!” and a big smile so they know they’re safe. If they liked it, you can gently roll baby back onto their tummy. Continue for a few minutes, or until they tire of the game.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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