20-Week-Old Baby
Hey, handsy! Your 20-week-old is probably pretty adept with their hands right now, turning items over, bringing them to their mouth and raking their fingers across the floor to see what will happen. They also might be rolling over on the regular (though it’s also normal if they’re not quite there yet). At least you’ve got some time before baby is crawling all over the place! (Phew.) Adapting to your little one’s rapid motor skill development and blossoming personality can call for some patience, a sense of humor and a bit of know-how. Here’s what else to expect from your 20-week-old.
Growth
At 20 weeks old, baby girls in the 50th percentile weigh about 15 pounds, while boys clock in at about 16.3 pounds. The average length (aka height) is around 25 inches for girls and 25.7 inches for boys. Grow, baby, grow!
Emerging skills
Baby’s babbling is starting to become more purposeful right about now—your little one might make sounds in response to you, to get your attention or even to express feelings. Their babbling is also starting to incorporate consonant sounds and single syllables, like “da,” “ba” and “ga.” So cute!
Baby is also making strides in their physical development too. Around 5 months, many babies will begin to push up on their hands with their elbows straight, and even use their arms to spin their bodies around. Don’t be surprised if your little one starts reaching out for toys placed nearby!
Feeding
What does a 20-week-old baby feeding schedule look like? On average, breastfed babies eat about five or six times a day. It may take less time for baby to eat as they’re becoming more efficient, but while the feedings are getting shorter, they shouldn’t be happening less frequently. Formula-fed babies typically take in anywhere from 20 to 32 ounces a day at this age.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting to introduce solids until baby is 6 months old, but depending on the child, some pediatricians may suggest starting now. Your kiddo may be ready to try soft foods if they have good head control and seem super interested in what you’re eating. Make sure to check in with their doctor before you officially kick off their food journey.
Sleep
It’s still typical for 20-week-olds to wake up once during the night to feed, especially breastfed babies. Consider yourself lucky if your little one routinely sleeps for a five- to six-hour chunk at night! Now’s a good time to encourage good sleep habits by setting a consistent bedtime routine. Many families also try sleep training around this age; if you’re interested in giving it a try, there are several different methods to read up on.
Baby is probably napping two or three times a day, anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Try not to let your 20-week-old nap past 5 p.m., so they’ll be ready for bedtime later. At this age, little ones need between 12 and 16 hours of sleep total per day.
Common ailments
Green poop
Green stool isn’t necessarily something to worry about, but if that’s not the usual color of your 20-week-old baby’s poop, it may raise an eyebrow. Breastfed infants tend to produce mustard yellow or green poop; babies who take iron supplements may also have dark green stools. If you’ve begun introducing solids, green foods like peas and spinach can also lead to green poop.
That said, there are times when green stool can signal that something’s amiss. Green and frothy poop can indicate that a breastfed baby is getting more foremilk than hindmilk, which can happen when there’s a forceful letdown. If there are mucousy green streaks in the poop, this could be a sign of a virus or infection, so it’s a good idea to call the doctor for guidance. Who knew parenting would turn you into a poop detective?
What time should a 20-week-old go to bed?
Every family is different when it comes to baby schedules, but a good rule of thumb for 20-week-olds is to keep the bedtime routine and hour consistent. Sometime between 7 and 8 p.m. is typical; some families push it later. Just be sure to get your little one down before they become overtired, at which point babies tend to become cranky, clingy and harder to soothe.
What is baby’s vision like at 20 weeks old?
At this age, baby’s eyesight is becoming much clearer. They can likely see several feet away and are starting to pick up on color variants, spotting the difference between shades of red, blue and yellow. They’re also able to watch quick movements, like a rolling ball or a sibling playing. Complex patterns and shapes will be particularly interesting to your 20-week-old, as will their own reflection! Now is a good time to switch up their crib mobile and read books with brightly colored pictures.
Reading to baby
It's no secret that a consistent bedtime routine can help baby relax at night and drift off to sleep more easily. But if you haven't added baby books to your evening wind-down session, now is a great time to start. Reading together is one of the best ways to support baby's blossoming language development. At 20 weeks, baby can pay attention to a book for a few minutes at a time, copy some of the sounds you make and the looks on your face, and hold on to a book and pat the pictures. Baby may try to “taste” the book too! If storytime only lasts a few minutes, don’t sweat it. Over time, your little one will want to read together for longer stretches.
Traveling with baby
Feeling a little antsy these days, or eager to introduce baby to far-flung family or friends? Good news: Traveling with a 20-week-old can actually be a breeze! (At least, relatively speaking.) Baby isn’t crawling or walking yet, so they’re highly portable, and they’ve gotten their 2- and 4-month vaccinations already. If you’re flying, your little one can sit on your lap for free, although the AAP recommends buying baby a seat and placing them in their (FAA-approved) car seat for the flight. If your kiddo needs to stretch out, babies under 6 months who aren’t yet sitting up unassisted can use the built-in airline bassinets. Pro tip: Click your infant car seat into your stroller and roll right up to the gate with it. You can check the stroller there (for free) before boarding, so it’ll be in the jetway upon arrival.
- Don't stress about weight loss. Your postpartum body probably feels a bit different still, and that's normal. Caring for baby is taking up a ton of your time and energy, but make sure you're eating balanced meals and getting as much sleep as possible. With your doctor's sign-off, you can also aim to get into a regular exercise routine. At the end of the day, remember that it took nine+ months to grow baby, so it’ll take time for your body to recover, shed extra weight and reclaim a new normal.
- Check in on your partner. All your mental bandwidth is probably focused squarely on baby right now—and that’s normal. But remember to check in on your partner, if you have one. Healthcare providers make a point to provide birthing partners with mental health resources, but dads and other non-birthing partners likely need some attention too. Life with baby can be stressful for all, and up to 25 percent of men can experience postpartum depression. Ask how they’re coping with the transition to parenthood. Even a small gesture like bringing them coffee can help show they’re still in your thoughts.
- Baby book subscription. Whether you’re just starting to incorporate storytime into baby’s routine or you’ve already worked your way through baby’s entire bookshelf, a baby book subscription service can be a wonderful way to replenish your home library with age-appropriate reads.
- Travel gear. If you’re planning a trip, the right travel gear will save you a world of headache. A lightweight travel stroller, FAA-approved car seat and a portable crib and high chair, among other things, are must-haves.
At this age, baby is beginning to understand that things continue to exist when they’re out of sight, an important cognitive concept known as object permanence. If playing traditional peek-a-book has become boring and repetitive, vary it a bit: Hide a squishy ball under a plastic cup or bowl, toss a blanket over a stuffed animal or make it high-octane by dancing out of the room through a doorway then back again. Surprise—you’re baaack!
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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