24-Week-Old Baby
At 24 weeks, baby is recognizing familiar faces, squealing and laughing, and likely loving blowing raspberries. Pfft, there’s a lot going on! Here’s a closer look at what you can expect in 24-week-old baby development.
Growth
On average, baby girls at 24 weeks weigh 15.6 pounds, while boys clock in at about 17.1 pounds. The average length (aka height) is around 25.6 for girls and 26.3 inches for boys. Keep in mind that all babies are different: At baby’s 6-month checkup, your pediatrician will chart baby’s growth to make sure they’re tracking along their curve. Be sure to bring any questions and concerns to your appointment.
Emerging skills
By now, baby is probably babbling with consonant-vowel sounds like “ba” and “da.” Encourage early language development by pointing out familiar objects like cars, trees and dogs when you go on walks. Baby might also be putting things in their mouth to explore them and reaching to grab toys they want. In terms of movement, it’s likely that baby’s inching toward sitting up by leaning on their hands, as well as working on rolling from their belly to their back.
Feeding
Baby should be taking in around 28 to 32 ounces of milk a day, whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed. Breastfed babies will eat around every three to four hours.
Now that baby is 24 weeks old, they may be ready to start trying solid foods! Watch for signs of readiness like reaching for your food and sitting comfortably in the high chair without support.
Sleep
At 24 weeks, babies will sleep for about 12 to 16 hours a day, including at least two naps. Experts warn not to use infant seats, car seats, strollers, carriers or baby swings for routine sleep and daily naps, as they could pose a risk of suffocation.
Common ailments
Fussiness following vaccinations
Many parents worry about how baby will react to receiving so many vaccines in one visit at their 6-month checkup. Serious adverse reactions are incredibly rare. One study found that only 19 percent of vaccinated children experienced non-serious reactions such as fussiness and swelling or redness at the site of injection. Common advice used to be to give baby acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce discomfort before receiving the vaccines, but experts say this could actually diminish their immune response and make the shots less effective. However, if after the vaccines baby has a fever or is uncomfortable, you can give Tylenol to make them feel more comfortable. If baby is fussy or has trouble sleeping, it should only last a day or two. If they have a fever for more than two days or any other concerning symptoms, such as blood in the stool or unusual movements, call your pediatrician.
When can baby sleep in their own room?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends having baby sleep in the same room—but not in the same bed—as you until they’re at least 6 months old, to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If you think you might be ready to move your little one to their own room now, reach out to your pediatrician if you have any questions. Always be sure baby is sleeping on a firm, flat surface, with no toys, blankets or other objects. You can help them get used to their own room by having them nap there in the afternoons, and by spending more time there for feedings, singing, storytime and other activities.
Is it possible to spoil my 24-week-old by holding them too much?
Science emphatically says no. Cuddle, snuggle and love away! Holding baby close to your body has been shown to have decades-long positive effects on cognitive and emotional development. You’ll never “spoil” baby by showing love and holding them often. In fact, love can even give baby the physical strength to fight illness, the emotional strength to feel confident and the ability to learn new things.
Sun safety
As baby rounds the corner on turning 6 months old, they no longer need to stay out of direct sunlight—but it’s still important to take precautions when you’re planning a trip to the beach or another sunny outing. Sunscreen is now your friend! Once baby turns 6 months, you can start applying it to all areas of their body; just be careful around the eyes. Dress baby in cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body. Get them a sun hat and sunglasses to wear—and if they refuse, consider staying in a shaded area. Try to limit their exposure when the sun’s rays are strongest (generally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). If baby gets a sunburn, give the pediatrician a call.
Sitting up
While the average age for baby to start sitting up assisted is around 4 months old, little ones typically won’t be able to sit up independently until they’re around 6 to 8 months old. You can get a sense of how close baby is to hitting this milestone by watching for one key thing: when they start to hold their head upright, without wobbles, on their own. Your child’s head is heavy and large in proportion to their little body, so it requires strong head and neck muscles. Once baby has mastered the art of rolling over and holding their head up straight and looking around, then sitting up on their own is right around the corner. You can give them a gentle nudge by sitting baby upright on your lap or encircled by a nursing pillow to help them feel more comfortable in a seated position.
- Write it down. Research shows that writing is therapeutic, so take a few minutes each week or so to jot down your memories. You can write about what’s going on with baby, but also your own hopes and dreams. Too busy to bust out a pen? Speak some notes into your phone. You’ll be glad you did when you look back years down the road.
- Suction bowls and plates. Baby’s starting solids soon! Grab some BPA-free bowls and plates with good suction at the bottom to minimize (read: minimize, not eliminate) mess.
- Baby spoons. As baby’s solids journey begins, you can also start letting them practice with a spoon. Pre-load one and let baby lean in or grab it. Consider using one with a shallow bowl that fits easily in baby’s mouth. It’ll take baby several months to really learn how to use it—and you will lose some food in the meantime—but this is a great way to learn.
- Sunscreen. Once baby turns 6 months old, they can officially start wearing sunscreen; experts generally recommend mineral-based (rather than chemical-based) formulas. These are our favorite baby-safe options.
Chat baby up! One of the best things you can do for baby’s language development right now is talk, talk, talk. Get face-to-face, sportcast your day or toss out a random “You found your foot?!” as you work nearby. Keep your speech very simple. And when you run out of conversation topics, you can just sing them the latest Taylor Swift song.
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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