35-Week-Old Baby
At 35 weeks, baby is tackling major communication and movement milestones that make it easier—and more fun—to interact with the world. That’s exciting stuff! At the same time, baby’s recent mastery of object permanence means separation anxiety could be kicking in—which can be tough for both you and baby. Here’s what else you can expect in 35-week-old baby development, milestones and more.
Growth
Baby’s growing by leaps and bounds! On average, a 35-week-old boy is typically 27.8 inches long and weighs 18.9 pounds. The average size for girls at the 35-week-old mark is 27.1 inches long, weighing 17.5 pounds. Keep in mind that every baby grows at their own rate and follows their own growth curve—but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to check in with your pediatrician.
Emerging skills
Baby’s getting stronger and more mobile. Baby might be pretty stable while sitting without assistance, although it’s still pretty normal to occasionally topple at this age. If crawling isn’t already on the menu, baby could be preparing to make the move by rocking, crouching and twisting around on all fours. Baby’s also becoming increasingly vocal and communicative, laughing, squealing and chatting nonstop, likely with chains of sounds like “ba-ba-ba” and “da-da-da.” (Or wait…did you just hear “dada?” It’s possible!)
Feeding
While a large part of baby’s nutrition should still be coming from breast milk or formula, finger foods should be getting more play these days to encourage baby to self-feed. Breastfed babies can keep nursing around five a day, although there’s no set rule. If you’re bottle-feeding, your 35-week-old is likely having around five bottles a day, typically not exceeding 32 ounces in 24 hours. When it comes to solids, baby should be on the way to three meals and two snacks a day. Keep sticking with minimally processed foods that are free of added sugar or salt as much as possible, and continue to steer clear of honey, cow's milk and raw or unpasteurized foods.
Sleep
All that rapid growth and development calls for shuteye—and plenty of it. Your 35-week-old should be logging around 12 to 16 hours of sleep every 24-hour period, with nine to 12 of those hours at night (perhaps even in a long, uninterrupted stretch!), and the rest spread out between a morning and afternoon nap. Keep in mind that there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to naps: Some babies this age nap for two hours, while others nap for 30 minutes (alas). While plenty of issues can interrupt sleep at this age, creating a consistent nap schedule and bedtime routine can go a long way.
Common ailments
Separation anxiety
Now that baby has a firm grasp on object permanence (aka knowing you still exist when you leave the room), separation anxiety might be setting in. Baby might cry or cling to you when you leave. And since baby doesn’t yet have a concept of time, the reaction is the same whether you step away for a minute or for the whole day. Separation anxiety is a totally normal part of baby's development and is actually a sign that baby has formed a healthy attachment to you—but, of course, the tears can be tough on everyone. Keeping goodbyes short and sweet is usually a better bet than dragging things out. Try to make sure baby is getting enough sleep and eating well, since exhaustion, hunger or just not feeling well can make it harder to cope with being away from you.
We've had an uptick in diaper rash recently. What should we do?
These days, diaper rash could have to do with baby eating more and more solids. Solid food can change baby’s poop and make them poop more—and both of those things can cause more diaper rash. Frequent diaper changes, applying a thick diaper cream or paste and letting baby go diaper-free when possible should help clear the irritation. If it's not easing up or you have concerns, let your pediatrician know.
Baby has been sucking their thumb for comfort lately. Is that bad?
Some babies start sucking a thumb or finger for comfort around 8 or 9 months. This type of self-soothing is completely normal, and baby is very likely to grow out of it and find other comfort tactics. Try not to stress about the impact thumb-sucking might have on baby’s teeth. The habit typically won’t affect tooth alignment, since there’s a good chance baby will give it up before the permanent front teeth get ready to come in.
Loveys and other transitional objects
Many babies start toting around loveys, stuffed animals and other “transitional objects” around this age—they go hand-in-hand with separation anxiety, since they can comfort baby in unfamiliar situations or when you’re not around. While it can be stressful to make sure your child’s comfort toy is always around (our advice: make sure you have doubles!), these objects play an important role in baby’s budding independence.
Finger foods
If baby is sitting independently, reaching for your food or grabbing the spoon to put in their mouths, it may be time to offer your little one some foods they can pick up and eat all on their own. You'll want to start with small pieces of soft food that dissolve easily, to make sure baby doesn't choke. Some possibilities: Avocado slices, scrambled eggs, soft fruit, tofu, well-cooked veggies—have fun experimenting and see what baby likes! Follow their lead, accept the mess and always keep an eye on them while they're eating.
- Separation anxiety guilt is normal. If baby’s starting to show separation anxiety when you go to work or on a date night with your partner, you might be feeling all sorts of emotions, including guilt. Your feelings are completely normal. Try to remember, though, that baby’s response signals a healthy attachment to you and that they’re learning crucial coping skills and independence.
- Self-care doesn’t have to mean a spa day. Between their need to be near you 24/7 and their eagerness to explore every nook and cranny of their environment, baby might be taking up more of your energy than ever. It’s time to refill your tank! But sometimes, going for a manicure or dedicating an hour to yoga might feel like even more work. Thankfully, even small actions can go a long way toward helping you feel like your best self: Try these quick and simple one-minute self-care rituals.
- Baby-sock grips. You can get your increasingly mobile 35-week-old special grippy socks that prevent slips.
- Loveys. A baby lovey—basically an adorable mini blanket, sometimes attached to a stuffed animal—can help ease your little one’s separation anxiety. Grab a few, since they come in lots of fun varieties (and get easily lost). Avoid ones with buttons or eye parts, since they can come loose and pose a choking hazard, and make sure to keep all toys and blankets out of the crib until baby turns one.
With all those giggles and squeals, it might seem like your 35-week-old is finding life funnier than ever these days. Play into baby’s blossoming sense of humor by injecting a dose of silliness into your usual playtime. Add in a few tickles while repeating baby’s favorite rhymes, or try dropping something on the floor and acting surprised when it falls. You'll help drive home the concept of cause-and-effect while having fun at the same time.
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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