43-Week-Old Baby
Baby’s more independent than ever and amazing you with all of their new skills, from babbling to crawling to pulling up to stand. Here’s more about what’s going on with baby at 43 weeks.
Growth
The average weight for baby at 43 weeks is 18.6 pounds for girls and 20.2 pounds for boys. The average length at this stage is 28.1 inches for girls and 28.7 inches for boys. If baby’s been sick lately, don’t worry if they’re not putting on weight as fast—the weight gain will come back when baby feels better. But if you have any concerns at all, be sure to check in with your pediatrician.
Emerging skills
Baby’s exploring up a storm, cruising while holding on to furniture in preparation for those first steps—which are coming soon! Baby’s also honing hand-eye coordination and getting better at feeding themselves. (Although you still likely have a mess to clean up at mealtime: It’s all part of the learning process!) It’s also likely that baby’s beginning to respond to simple verbal requests. Babbling may also start evolving to full words like “mama” and “dada”.
Feeding
As baby’s pincer grasp evolves, they’re getting better at picking up food and feeding themselves. At this age, they might also be able to use a spoon. Heads up, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends saying bye-bye to the bottle by 18 months or earlier, so it’s a good idea to get them comfortable with a straw cup or sippy cup now.
Sleep
At 43 weeks, baby should be sleeping for about 12 to 16 hours every 24-hour period, with nine to 12 of them at night. Baby will still likely take two naps a day. If baby’s a short napper, keep in mind it’s normal for nap length to vary anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours—as frustrating as it might be for you when you just want to get stuff done! Even as baby gets older, continue ensuring sleep safety by keeping toys, pillows and blankets out of their crib.
Baby doesn’t wave yet. Is that normal?
Yep! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), waving is expected by one year of age, so don’t worry if they’re not waving yet as long as they’re generally on track with other language and social milestones. Check with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child’s development. In the meantime, you can encourage the gesture by waving hello and goodbye to baby.
Can baby have candy?
It’s advised to wait. The CDC says to avoid foods with added sugars before 24 months, which includes candy, cookies, flavored yogurt and more. Plus, hard candy can be a choking hazard at this age.
Independent play
There are countless benefits to playing independently for babies: It helps build cognitive development and a sense of self. Give baby a safe place to explore with toys and safe household objects—you’ll set them up for success.
Pulling up to stand
Chances are, baby’s practicing the all-important skill of pulling up to stand. Keep them safe by making sure they’re practicing with sturdy objects, like the couch, and that lightweight objects that could tip over, like plant stands, are out of the way.
- Eat breakfast. It’s not easy when you’re busy and tired, but it’s worth it to make small changes to your diet. Start by eating a nutritious breakfast: Research says there are plenty of benefits, including better energy levels, a boost in brainpower and disease prevention.
- Vent. It’s okay to let it all out! If you’re looking to boost your postpartum mental health, finding a support group or a therapist can help you feel heard.
- Baby books. It’s always a good idea to stock up on new books for baby—they’re growing and changing so much. You don’t need to spend a fortune: Thrift stores, garage sales and hand-me-downs are great options.
- Interactive toys with push buttons and knobs. They’ll help with fine motor skills—and most importantly, they’re fun.
Have a sing-a-long! Encourage baby to participate and watch their language and communication skills blossom.
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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