30-Week-Old Baby
Big things are happening for baby! At 30 weeks, they’re becoming more mobile and curious about the world every day. Baby’s babbling, laughing and interacting with you more and more. So much excitement! Here’s what else you can expect in 30-week-old baby’s development.
Growth
The average 30-week-old boy is about 27.2 inches tall and weighs 18.2 pounds. For girls at 30 weeks, the average is about 26.5 inches and 16.8 pounds.
Emerging skills
Baby’s communication and speech development are really taking off, with their babbles starting to sound more like chains of syllables. Baby’s likely rolling over in both directions, as well as sitting on their own more confidently. Baby’s distance vision is maturing and their ability to track moving objects is improving—so if they see an interesting toy across the room, don’t be surprised if they try to go for it!
Feeding
Your 30-week-old is still getting the majority of their nutrition from breast milk or formula, but solids are starting to take a more prominent role. If you’re working on introducing finger foods through baby-led weaning, make sure you choose foods that baby can independently pick up and hold. In general, prepare food size to be at least the length and width of two adult fingers, and large enough so that it sticks out above and below baby’s closed fist. Remember that for young eaters, the bigger the piece of food, the safer it generally is from a choking-hazard perspective. The biggest concern for choking are foods that are hard and cylindrical that can block an airway, like whole grapes, popcorn and hot dogs.
Sleep
Baby needs about 12 to 16 hours of sleep every 24 hours, including a stretch of at least nine hours at night. Of course, it’s pretty normal for teething, colds and developmental milestones to disrupt baby’s routine. Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine should help get baby back to baseline. Remember to watch out for any hazards near baby’s crib such as items with cords or ties, as well as any objects with sharp corners. Make sure baby can’t reach any hanging mobiles (remove them once baby pulls to stand!), pictures on the wall or window blind cords. While you’re at it, check that diaper creams and medications are out of reach.
Baby still can’t sit independently for very long. Is that normal?
The short answer: Yes. While most babies can sit without support by 9 months, at this age they’re still building up strength to get there. Right now, it’s typical for baby to lean on their hands in a “tripod” position when sitting. In the meantime, you can help baby develop their skills by offering them plenty of time on the floor or play mat. If baby seems stiff or floppy, or doesn’t hold their head up, it’s worth checking in with your pediatrician.
When should I start brushing baby's teeth?
As soon as that first tooth starts to show, it’s time to brush with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush. It’s essential not only for baby’s dental health, but also to get into a routine. Make the process fun by singing or using the mirror to let baby watch you brush their teeth.
I know it's good to read to baby, but they’re more interested in eating the pages. How do I get baby to be more interested in books?
Your 30-week-old's desire to munch on Goodnight Moon doesn't mean they’re not interested. Quite the opposite, in fact! It’s pretty par for the course for babies to explore things with their mouth, as you might have gathered—books included. Invest in some durable board books and bath books, since they’re more likely to withstand all that biting and drool—and look for ones full of colorful pictures and photographs of faces, which baby will love.
Time to be active!
We're not saying your wiggle worm needs to be moving all the time. But babies need dedicated time for active play, so it’s best to limit time in car seats, strollers and other items that restrict movement. Offering baby plenty of floor time will give them an opportunity to explore their environment and develop their gross motor skills.
Parent-and-me classes
Whether you’re looking for weekday or weekend activities, you might be starting to think about socializing with other babies—and parents—in the same stage of life. You can look up options in your area like music classes, baby gyms, stroller fitness groups and story times. And despite the common “mommy and me” moniker, these classes are generally for all caregivers.
- Shed the “mom guilt.” You might feel guilty if you turned your back for a minute and now baby has a bruise. Or if you’re back at work full-time and want to spend more time with baby. Almost every parent feels like they’re getting it wrong at some point (or, let’s be honest, many points). But living with chronic guilt and stress can take a serious toll on your mental health. So while there’s no surefire way to be totally guilt-free, it helps to manage your expectations of yourself and try to keep from comparing yourself to others—no one is perfect. (Limiting your own social media intake can help.) Also, make sure you find some time in the day to do something you enjoy, like calling a friend or watching a favorite TV show. And if you’re still struggling with guilt, it could help to speak with a mental health professional.
- Playard. Now that baby is becoming more mobile, a playard can provide a safe, contained space for baby to play when you need to grab something or take a bathroom break. Bonus: Many playards double as travel cribs!
It’s totally normal if you call baby plenty of cute nicknames—but at this age, it’s beneficial to say baby’s name as often as possible. By 9 months, baby should be able to look when you call their name. With plenty of practice, they’ll get it soon!
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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