48-Week-Old Baby
At 48 weeks, you’re likely starting to plan baby’s first birthday bash. And you have so much to celebrate! Here’s more of what you can expect at 48 weeks.
Growth
The average weight for baby at 48 weeks is 19.3 pounds for girls and 20.7 pounds for boys. The average length is 28.6 inches for girls and 29.3 inches for boys. Keep in mind that these are just averages and every baby is different! If you have any concerns at all, be sure to address them with your pediatrician.
Emerging skills
Baby’s eyesight has been maturing for several months. Now, baby can spot a toy across the room, move to it, pick it up and explore it. Baby might also enjoy looking at pictures in books, especially familiar images. Words are emerging: Baby might be working on “mama” and “dada” and is starting to understand other words, like “ball,” “cup” and “bottle.” Motor skills are steadily evolving in preparation for baby’s first steps, if those haven’t happened already.
Feeding
Baby’s self-feeding skills are evolving as they perfect their superior pincer grasp—aka being able to pick up small objects with the tips of their thumb and index finger. Feed them pieces of soft food, like ripe banana or avocado, and continue to challenge them by offering different textures and flavors.
Sleep
Baby still needs around 12 to 16 hours of sleep every 24 hours, which includes about nine to 12 hours at night. As for naps, they’re likely still taking two per day. Most kids drop their second nap between ages one and 2—but some babies show signs that they’re ready for a one-nap schedule sooner. If baby’s truly ready, they’ll refuse naptime for two weeks, refuse the afternoon nap but take a morning nap and spend more time awake without fussiness. Then, you can start to gradually move up naptime. (You might have to move bedtime a little earlier for the time being.) If baby’s not ready yet (but still refuses naps once in a while), you can skip their morning nap to make sure they get some afternoon sleep too. That way, baby’s less likely to get fussy early in the evening—and everyone will sleep better at night. (Fingers crossed!)
Common ailments
Choking
Baby’s likely eating more solid foods these days, so choking can become a concern. Be sure to avoid common choking hazards like nuts, seeds, popcorn, hot dogs, raw cherries, cherries with pits and hard candy. It’s also smart to read up and take a class on baby choking and infant CPR so you can be prepared.
Does baby understand what I say?
Baby’s starting to understand common words like dog, ball and bottle. You’ll know baby understands you when you make a simple request like, “Go find the ball!” and they crawl to it. At this age, your little one is also likely responding to their name, and will look up (or at least pause!) when you say “no.” You can help baby understand more words by talking about familiar objects as you encounter them: “Here’s your spoon!”
How often should I read to baby?
Make a habit of reading to baby every day! It’s one of the primary ways babies learn to talk, and it will set them up for better learning habits later on in life.
Planning baby’s first birthday party
Baby won't be a baby for much longer! Their first birthday is around the corner, and with it waits toddler status. The occasion isn't just a big deal for baby—it also marks one year of parenthood for you (so congrats!). Families choose to celebrate in different ways, of course, but if you're thinking of throwing a party, now's the time to start planning. Think about your vision and your budget, and also what your child will actually enjoy. Will there be space for baby (and guests) to play, eat and get changed? Will there be age-appropriate snacks? If little ones get overwhelmed, will there be a quiet corner for them to take a break? Above all, have fun—this is a major milestone for the whole family, and you've earned it.
Convertible car seats
If you haven’t switched to a convertible car seat yet, now’s a great time to consider one—especially if you have a bigger baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants and young children ride in a rear-facing seat as long as weight and height limits allow. Most convertible seats have rear-facing options that can hold up to 40 or 50 pounds but can be turned into forward-facing seats once a toddler outgrows the weight or height limit.
- Celebrate your first year of parenthood. As you start to plan baby’s birthday festivities, take some time to reflect on and appreciate how you’ve grown as a parent this past year! It’s no doubt been a significant transition and a major achievement, so feel proud.
- Birthday invitations. If you’re planning to host a first birthday party, you may want to send out birthday invitations soon! Here are some great options.
- Baby food pouches. Pouches are great when you want to give baby a convenient, on-the-go snack—and there are plenty of healthy options on the market these days.
- Puffs. Stash some puffs in your diaper bag, car or stroller when you’re out and about. Bonus: They can help baby improve their fine motor skills and perfect the pincer grasp.
March on! Sit down and stand baby up on your thighs. Hold baby’s hips and slowly make “stepping” motions by moving your legs up and down, one side at a time. You can sing a nursery rhyme like “The Ants Go Marching” while you do it.
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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