16-Week-Old Baby
Hopefully you’re starting to feel pretty adept at parenting at this point. Your 16-week-old has likely found their groove and settled into a more predictable sleep-and-wake cycle, going down for longer stretches at night and napping with abandon to counter how active they are when playing and communicating. They’re also super fun companions, offering up joyful reactions when you smile and talk to them.
Sixteen weeks is primetime for some big milestones: Baby is continuing to cultivate lots of new social and emotional connections, and will likely experience some growth spurts and sleep disruption. If your little one is suddenly shunning naps and waking through the night, it’s not your imagination. Read on for more on how to deal with temporary sleep regression and what other developments are up ahead for your 16-week-old.
Growth
Your little one is chugging along and getting bigger by the week! Baby boys in the 50th percentile—meaning that 50 percent of babies of the same age and sex weigh more and 50 percent weigh less—clock in at about 15 pounds, while girls weigh around 13.8 pounds. The average length (aka height) is around 24.8 inches for boys and 24.2 for girls. But remember, every child is different! If your little one is smaller or bigger than these averages, don’t sweat it. It’ll all about their own unique growth curve.
Emerging skills
Interaction with your 16-week-old has likely reached a new high as they become super responsive to your conversation and actions. At this point, baby is probably holding their head steady on their own, turning their head toward the sound of your voice and cooing at you with expression. Your little one is getting pretty good with their hands too, reaching for toys, bringing everything and anything to their mouths and pushing onto their forearms when on their belly. Speaking of that belly, your 16-week-old may be rolling from their tummy to their back—a major step forward in their mobility!
Feeding
How much should a 16-week-old baby eat? If they’re growing well, you don’t really want to limit the amount your breastfed-only baby eats, but there’s nothing wrong in trying to stretch the time between daytime feedings. On average, breastfed babies are likely to eat six to eight times a day.
Formula-fed babies are typically eating every three to five hours and may take in anywhere from 4 to 7 ounces over five or six feedings in a 24-hour period. Be sure to follow baby’s hunger cues, and stop the feeding when they turn their head from the bottle.
Is your 16-week-old ready for solid food? Before breaking out the purees and spoons, get the green light from baby’s pediatrician. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) generally recommend waiting until around 6 months to introduce solids, but some families may start sooner (around 4 or 5 months). Signs that your child may be ready to try solid foods:
- Can sit (alone or supported) and has good head control
- Brings objects to their mouth
- Tries to grab food
- Opens their mouth when you offer them a spoon
- Swallows food rather than pushing it back out
If you get your pediatrician’s okay to start giving baby solids, they can guide you on which foods to start with. Baby cereal thinned with breast milk or formula is an easy first step, as is any type of pureed fruit or vegetable. Look for a super thin consistency and stick to one food for three to four days before introducing a new one, so you can identify any potential allergies.
Sleep
Most babies at 16 weeks old can sleep a good stretch at night, although it’s common for many to wake once for a feeding. Based on how baby is growing, their pediatrician will let you know if it’s time to drop the nighttime snack.
Many 16-week-olds nap two or three times a day. They need between 14 and 16 hours of sleep total per day, with naps ranging from 30 minutes to two hours each.
Common ailments
Diaper rash
Unless you’re practicing elimination communication, chances are baby will get a diaper rash at some point. In fact, more than half of babies between 4 and 15 months old will have a diaper rash at least once in a two-month period. Diaper rash typically looks red in areas where the diaper and skin touch; you may see red blotches or large patches of raw, red skin. Anytime moisture sits on the skin for a period of time, especially on sensitive skin like baby’s diaper area, it can cause irritation—and it doesn’t mean you’re not changing baby’s diaper frequently enough. Diarrhea and certain medications can also cause diaper rash. The best treatment is to air the area out as much as possible, so give baby some time sans diaper. (Lie your little one down on a waterproof or easily cleanable surface, in case things get messy.) You can also use a diaper rash cream with every diaper change. It should resolve in less than a week. To help prevent diaper rash, keep the area clean, change baby’s diaper as soon as it’s soiled.
Can I spread out my 4-month-old immunizations?
Baby will receive vaccinations for five diseases at their upcoming 4-month well visit, which is probably scheduled for this week or next. Sounds like a lot of shots, we know! You may be tempted to ask if you can space them out. While some healthcare providers might accommodate you, the AAP recommends sticking with the CDC’s official vaccine schedule, which is designed to protect babies when they’re at their highest risk for developing these serious illnesses. Baby’s discomfort won’t last long; snuggles, songs, a pacifier or a nursing session can all help soothe your little one post-shots.
Sleep regression
Baby may have finally settled into a more predictable sleep schedule, only to suddenly start waking up multiple times at night and fussing at naptime, now that they’re 16 weeks old. What gives? Blame it on sleep regression. Experts aren’t sure exactly why it happens, but sudden wakefulness is often associated with periods of growth and development in babies. Not only is your child learning to roll over, but they’re also developing associations where they begin to need a parent, bottle or whatever they’re used to falling asleep with.
There’s no magic spell that instantly teaches baby how to go to sleep on their own, but experts have a few tips that may help boost self-soothing skills:
- Separate feeding from falling asleep. Make feeding the first part of baby’s bedtime routine. Once they’re drowsy with a full belly, change their diaper and then sing to, read to or rock them.
- Put baby down when they’re drowsy but not fully asleep. That way they’re learning to fall asleep on their own and are less likely to freak out if they wake up later and you’re not there.
- Keep wake-ups all business. If you do need to intervene in the middle of the night, keep the lights off and refrain from interacting with baby too much. Don’t give any indication that it’s time to play.
Sleeping through the night
Good news—slowly but surely, baby is starting to sleep for longer intervals. They may still be waking up for nighttime feedings, but you can try to space them out by increasing the amount of breast milk or formula they drink during the day, specifically right before you put them down for bedtime. Weaning baby off of those nighttime feedings is the first step to getting your little one to sleep through the night, but no matter how eager you are to get there, remember to follow baby’s lead. They’ll let you know when they’re ready to start going longer between eating and sleeping.
- Strategize ways to get better quality sleep. Baby’s sleep regression means less sleep for you at night. To get as much shuteye as possible, give baby an opportunity to self-soothe before you rush in; there’s a chance they may fall asleep on their own after two or three minutes of fussing. If you have a partner, consider taking turns tending to baby, or even alternate nights, so you can get at least one full dose of sleep.
- Diaper cream. Whether you’re dealing with a case of diaper rash or you’re proactively trying to avoid one, having the right kind of diaper cream on hand is key. These are some top tried-and-true options.
- Activity gym. Now that baby is pushing up on their elbows, grabbing at toys and maybe even rolling over, it’s more important than ever to have a safe and stimulating play mat or activity gym for your little one. Get ready to take tummy time to the next level!
Baby is getting ready to roll over soon, if they haven’t already! Most babies first roll from their belly onto their back, but don’t be surprised if yours reverses the motion. Help encourage this exciting physical milestone by taking a toy and dangling it above their chest when baby is lying on their back. Move the toy around to get their attention, and then as they reach for it, move it to their opposite side. The twisting motion should help strengthen their tummy muscles and support rolling.
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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