19-Week-Old Baby
Your sense of time is probably all over the place these days. Some weeks seem to fly by, with baby showing off multiple new skills in short order, while other weeks might crawl along at a snail’s pace. Growing in fits and jumps rather than a steady progression is totally normal for babies—and just when you’ve figured out how to handle one developmental hurdle or phase, they’re on to the next. Read on for more about life with a 19-week-old.
Growth
At 19 weeks old, baby girls in the 50th percentile weigh about 14.6 pounds, while boys ring in at about 15.9 pounds. The average length (aka height) is around 24.7 inches for girls and 25.4 for boys. Curious if baby will be going through a growth spurt anytime soon? The next one might be coming up around 6 months.
Emerging skills
Like the Energizer bunny, your 19-week-old may be moving nonstop, batting away at everything within reach, pushing up to their elbows when on on their stomach, rolling over (first from tummy to back, then back to tummy), happily bouncing in their baby jumper or bouncer and maybe even starting to rock a bit on their hands and knees. They’re also probably babbling up a storm, so make sure you’re having “conversations” with your kiddo and showing them lots of affection—you’ll likely be met with smiles and joyful squeals.
Feeding
At 19 weeks, you and baby probably have a feeding schedule fairly down pat. On average, breastfed babies will eat about five to six times in a 24-hour period. As they get older, your little one will get more efficient at feeding and eat for shorter amounts of time, but the frequency shouldn’t change much. Formula-fed babies may take in anywhere from 4 to 7 ounces every three to five hours. Be sure to follow baby’s hunger cues, stopping feeding when they turn their head from the bottle. Even if you’ve already started on solids, those tastes are just introductory; all of baby’s nutrients should be coming from breast milk or formula at this age.
Sleep
It’s still fairly typical for 19-week-olds to wake up once during the night to feed, especially breastfed babies. You and baby should be settling into a calm, consistent bedtime routine by now, and they may be sleeping five- to six-hour stretches at night—which hopefully means you’re getting some quality shuteye too. Many 19-week-olds nap two or three times a day, ranging from 30 minutes to two hours each, and will give you cues when they’re tired. Total sleep should be adding up to between 12 and 16 hours a day.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Commonly known as RSV, this virus infects the lungs and breathing passages. While it can feel as minor as a cold for some adults, children—especially babies under 6 months old—are at greater risk of severe illness. It’s so common that nearly every child will experience RSV by the time they turn 2 years old, but 1 out of every 100 babies under 6 months need to be hospitalized. As scary as that sounds, most are released within a few days of proper care. Infants almost always show symptoms, which can include fever, irritability, decreased activity and appetite, coughing and wheezing and rapid breathing. Pauses in their breathing lasting 10 seconds or more (apnea) may also occur, and this is considered an emergency. If you suspect RSV, contact your doctor right away.
Why is my 19-week-old so fussy?
Itchy, sore gums; baby’s first cold; frustration at not being able to master a skill—pick one! So many reasons to be fussy right now. Another big one is sleep regression. Sudden wakefulness is often associated with periods of growth and development in babies, and right now is prime milestone time. Plus, baby is developing strong ties with whatever they fall asleep with: you, your breasts, a bottle. Help them foster self-soothing skills by separating feeding from falling asleep and putting them down when they’re drowsy but not totally asleep. If you do need to intervene at night, keep the lights off, and no chatting!
On the flip side, your 19-week-old might be sleeping up a storm. If that’s the case, they’re likely dealing with a burst of development, both physical and mental. It could be one of those weeks when baby is wearing themselves out with lots of movement and an uptick in brain activity. Some babies also sleep more when they’re sick. If your little one is extremely lethargic or listless after you wake them, or if you notice fewer wet diapers or darker-colored urine, call the pediatrician.
When do babies sit up?
At 19 weeks old, baby has good head and neck control, which makes it a whole lot easier for them to start sitting with support, like leaned against you or propped up with pillows. Have your camera at the ready, because it makes for some pretty cute pictures! (Just make sure your kiddo isn’t perched somewhere they could fall.) But it may be another month or so before baby is ready to practice sitting unassisted. At around 6 months, keep a lookout for the classic “tripod” pose, where your little one splays their legs out and places their hands down in front to support themselves. They’ll continue to hone their strength and endurance until they’re confident, independent sitters, usually by 9 months.
Yeast diaper rashes
When diaper rash refuses to go away, it can progress into a yeast infection. Yeast rashes look angry and inflamed, with raised bumps or large patches of red, scaly skin that may spread to baby’s bottom and leg. Diaper cream won’t help much; you’ll need an antifungal cream to completely get rid of these. Changing diapers often, airing out as much as possible and keeping baby’s bottom clean is your best bet for preventing these rashes in the future.
- Get in touch with your intimate side. Sex may be top of mind for you, or it may be the last thing you want right now. If you’re not feeling frisky, let your partner know and try to brainstorm other ways to find intimacy. If vaginal intercourse still feels off since giving birth, talk about alternatives like oral sex or massage. And when possible, try to schedule some alone time together. Even if it’s only for a half an hour here and there, finding time away from baby is an important way to connect with each other as partners and not just parents.
- Stroller toys. As baby gets older, you’re probably heading out on more and more excursions. Stroller toys are a great way to keep baby busy and entertained—and because they’re attached to the stroller, you don’t have to worry about your little one chucking them onto the ground mid-stroll.
- Toy storage. Given that baby is starting to enjoy interacting with toys, your playroom is probably looking a bit crowded these days. Get things organized with some smart storage solutions.
Now that your 19-week-old has good head and neck control and more core strength, it’s a great time to delight them (and boost their physical development) with new types of movement. Try lifting baby up high above your head and bringing them back down to be level with your face, and greet them with kisses, raspberries or silly sounds. This movement helps baby develop a sense of balance and body position. You can also sit baby on top of your bent knees, and then, while holding them, gently sway your knees from side to side and up and down.
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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