Baby milestones 1-6 months

Little Pi is growing fast. He is getting so heavy these days that my arm often hurts at the end of the day. I really love his chubby little face
 
He is getting stronger, unfortunately he is one of those babies who doesn't like tummy time, which means he doesn't get the neck strengthening practice that he should. I try and give him a bit of tummy time of me and on his mat, but he only tolerates it for a few minutes.
He smiles a lot though and it is so nice to see him look at you and give a huge smile. He knows who we are and it is an amazing feeling. Below is a bit of a list of the things that babies should be able to do, month by month. Pi seems to be an average learner- which is fine for me. To me, I am happiest that his gas troubles are mostly behind us... Yay!

Mastered Skills (most children can do)	Emerging Skills (half of children can do)	Advanced Skills (a few children can do)
Child's Age : One month
Lifts head Responds to sound Stares at faces	Follows objects Ooohs and ahhs Can see black-and-white patterns	Smiles Laughs Holds head at 45-degree angle
Child's Age : Two months
Vocalises sounds - gurgling and cooing Follows objects Holds head up for short periods	Smiles responsively, laughs Holds head at 45-degree angle Movements become smoother	Holds head steady Bears weight on legs May lift head and shoulder (mini-pushup)
Child's Age : Three months
Laughs Holds head steady Recognises your face and scent	Squeals, gurgles, coos Recognises your voice Does mini-pushups	Turns towards loud sounds Can bring hands together and may bat at toys Can roll over
Child's Age : Four months
Holds head up steadily Can bear weight on legs Coos when you talk to him	Can grasp a toy Reaches out for objects Can roll over	Imitates speech sounds - baba, dada May cut first tooth
Child's Age : Five months
Can distinguish between bold colours Can roll over Amuses himself by playing with hands and feet	Turns towards new sounds Recognises own name May be ready for solids.	May sit momentarily without support Mouths objects Stranger anxiety may begin
Child's Age : Six months
Turns towards sounds and voices Imitates sounds, blows bubbles Rolls in both directions	Reaches for objects and mouths them Sits without support Is ready for solids	May lunge forward or start crawling May jabber or combine syllables May drag object towards himself

Lactation Cookies

Milk is often on my mind these days. Pi still feeds every two hours or so (sometimes every hour, sometimes 3hrs) and he is so quick these days to finish (5-10mins, as opposed to 40-50min) that I wonder if he is getting enough (don't a lot of breastfeeding mums?). He has plenty of wet nappies and is getting chubby, so I  don't think there is a problem, but as I am looking for a snack that isn't senbei (Japanese rice crackers), I figure at least lactation cookies have some healthy ingredients in them and will make sure there is plenty of milk to go around. The most important ingredients in lactation cookies are:
Brewer's Yeast (must be brewers)
Flaxseed meal
Oatmeal
(I bought all of these off I-herb- click this link for a discount http://www.iherb.com?rcode=MGH707 they have super cheap shipping to Japan too: 400yen flat rate!)

Unfortunately, brewers yeast doesn't taste very nice but is apparently the most crucial ingredient. I suppose it goes with the whole "have a beer to increase milk production" (I don't do this though, because of the alcohol.... and I don't like beer) idea. When I look on the bottle it contains HEAPS of important minerals, so it must be good for you(see the very bottom of this post for ingredients).

Here is a basic recipe I have found (and tweaked to make it super simple). I have tried a few recipes but this one is pretty easy.  From the basic mix below, you can then add ingredients that you like eg: walnuts, almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, hemp seeds, carob, almond butter, spirulina, sesame seeds.
Additional ingredients I have tried so far are:
Coconut
Raisin and chocolate chips (dark and white)

Basic Lactation cookie recipe:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar (or 2 cups if you like sweeter)
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flax seed meal
2 heaped tablespoons brewer's yeast
1 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups oats

Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C.

Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let sit for 2 minutes.

Beat butter and sugar well then add egg and mix well

Add flaxseed mix and vanilla, beat well.

Add flour, brewers yeast, baking soda, and salt and mix.

Stir in oats and any ingredients for flavour.

Scoop onto baking tray and bake for 12 minutes.




I have put generous servings of key ingredients and it makes about 12 large cookies. I have heard you can replace the butter with coconut oil, which is the new superfood. Flour should be sifted, and dry ingredients should be mixed in a bowl separately before added to the wet mix- but 



Keeping in mind that the purpose of these is milk production and health. They aren't as delicious as normal cookies, but they are still good. Also, if you have a little toaster oven, I heat my cookies up in that after a few days and they are even nicer. Happy eating.

Brewer's Yeast Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Heaping Tablespoonful (16 g)
Servings Per Container: 31
	Amount Per Serving	% DV
Calories	35
Protein	8 g	16%*
Thiamin	1.4 mg	93%
Riboflavin	0.7 mg	41%
Niacin	5.3 mg	27%
Vitamin B6	0.6 mg	30%
Folic Acid	240 mcg	60%
Vitamin B12	2 mcg	33%
Biotin	16 mcg	5%
Pantothenic Acid	0.4 mg	4%
Calcium	59 mg	6%
Iron	1.5 mg	8%
Phosphorus	234 mg	23%
Magnesium	33 mg	8%
Zinc	1.2 mg	8%
Copper	0.5 mg	25%
Manganese	0.13 mg	7%
Chromium	60 mcg	50%
Sodium	60 mg	3%
Potassium	222 mg	6%
Alanine	592 mg	†
Arginine	464 mg	†
Aspartic Acid	800 mg	†
Glutamic Acid	1120 mg	†
Glycine	400 mg	†
Histidine	208 mg	†
Isoleucine 2,3	400 mg	†
Cystine	112 mg	†
Leucine 2,3	624 mg	†
Lysine 2	592 mg	†
Methionine 2	144 mg	†
Phenylalanine 2	368 mg	†
Proline	400 mg	†
Threonine 2	400 mg	†
Serine	448 mg	†
Tryptophan 1,2	96 mg	†
Tyrosine	304 mg	†
Valine 2,3	480 mg	†

Co-sleeping

I realised last night how attached I am to my son. We co-sleep, because initially he slept better that way. I kind of stumbled into it while in the hospital; which was simply that in my arms he slept, and in his bed he fussed. The nurses in the clinic had no problem with this, all they said was to move over as far as possible from the edge so he doesn't fall out. Co-sleeping in Japan is very accepted, and not unheard of to sleep with the kids until they are teenagers. Japanese parents sometimes refer to this as the river- the child is the river in the middle, and the parents are the left bank and right bank. Kind of sweet.

Needless to say I needed all of the sleep that I possibly could get and so more often than not if he wouldn't sleep in his bed, I would keep him as safe as possible in my arms (we don't do the 'river' arrangement though). I was very nervous to co-sleep. I always wanted him next to me and had purchased a nice crib that can be attached to the bed:
this is our crib- we have removed the sliding gate.

 and attached it using this cable (both bought off amazon)


But even though he was RIGHT next to me, it still wasn't the same as in my arms. Still wanting to be as safe as possible, we then purchased this "bed in bed" thing:

I have to put him in it when he is super sleepy in order for him to not cause a fuss, and still wrap my arms around his body (his head and shoulders sleep between the hard foam). But, about half of the time he still wants to be tucked into my arms and so usually from about 3am onwards, that's where he sleeps. I try to keep all blankets and pillows away from his head, and keep him on the side between me and the crib, instead of my husband.

I have learned just the other day that in Australia they have changed their views on co-sleeping a little. Before, it was always a firm NO. Now, they are apparently not saying to not co-sleep (so, they are not endorsing it, but not advising against- only advising to be safe about it). Mind you, these days I think I am almost as attached to having Pi in my arms, as Pi is to being in my arms. I tried to move him into his crib last night (I was hoping it might improve both our sleep as he has been fidgety lately). However after having him for 5 minutes, and him crying while I was cuddling him, I took him out and put him back in my arms. What can I say, when it comes to him I am a softie and very attached to my little man. I will try again tonight, and if it doesn't go well, I will wait for those few extra weeks (to 12 weeks) to see if the extra time makes a difference. He still wakes up every two hours, and I think a part of that is that he can smell the milk and knows his snack is right next to him. I mean, who wouldn't want the comfort of a boob whenever they want. I am just hoping that it might help get him into good habits earlier, but if I can't there is always time. Until then, I am going to enjoy my baby snuggles.

 Pi at 3 weeks in his little bed

 Pi at 3 weeks snuggling in my arms.

Child payment form

By the end of June, I had to go to my city hall to submit the Jidouteate- or child allowance form. The city sent me a letter with information, and the sample of what needs to be filled out (the rest was pre-filled). I then had to go to city office to submit it, along with a copy of Pi's hokenshou (Insurance card). I couldn't read enough of the Kanji, but went anyway as they are very friendly up there and were more than happy to help me :)

Here is what it all means for anyone else in the same situation:

1. Hanko (inkan)- the personal stamp that is used instead of a signature. The form is under my husbands name, so it was stamped with my husbands stamp, not mine.

 2. Income from transfer (of property, etc.) (Yes/No)

3. Number of dependent relatives and children 

(number of those eligible for elderly spouse deduction or dependent elderly relatives) In our case my 

husband has 2 dependents (My son and I)


4. Current income (income for year 20XX)- city hall told me this information.

5. Date submitted


And done! It was really quite simple, which was lucky as Pi was screaming most of the time...

8 weeks

It has been a long wait, but finally we have gotten to the aim of 8 weeks. Why 8 weeks? Because countless blogs and articles say the 8 weeks is where it all changes.


Let me tell you, it does. Our boy has gone from a squishy blob, into a functioning little baby. He smiles now, at least a few times a day (The first one showed up about 5 weeks, but was at the curtain), coos, and above all, at 8 weeks he has just started be intrigued by the world around him. It is fascinating to watch him as he stares at objects, working out how to bat them with his chubby little fists. He also sleeps better, and has a long stretch of about 5 hours from 8pm-1am if I am really lucky (but then is still up after 2 or 3 hours from then on). But still, it is an improvement.
The biggest change has been his curiosity. Now, he is happy to be staring at his toys and figuring things out, and then he loves a cuddle afterwards.
His gas is slowly getting better too. Now it mainly effects him at night. Whether it is the probiotics, or time, I can't say- but either way it's improving.

Yay for 8 weeks. The next countdown is to 12 :)

Home Nurse visit

Today, a nurse came to my house to give little Pi a check up. This visit is provided for free by the town. The called a few days after I registered Pi to set up the appointment. No vouchers or anything needed, just to have the boshi-techo (mother and child handbook).
The nurse called before hand to confirm, and came promptly at 1:30, along with another lady in the neighbourhood who I think was a bit of a community helper. The helper introduced herself, and left her card. From what I understand, if I need help or am feeling overwhelmed, I can give her a call.
The nurse (Take-san) was really lovely. Unfortunately, as I had woken Pi up for the visit and didn't feed him he was pretty hungry and in a bad mood, so cried during his weight check and everything.
Luckily, that was over quickly and fed him while she gave me lots of papers. Information on immunisations, on health checks, on mothers groups, on a bit of an emergency day care (though, until Pi reaches 6 months I need to use the one in the next town over. But as the cost is averaging 300/400yen per hour, it's a fantastic deal and good to know if I have appointments, or desperately need a break. There was also a don't shake the baby pamphlet.

It was really good to have her here, and ask questions, and always nice to have someone coo over Pi. He has really grown:

From:
3366gms, 53cms long, head 34.5, chest 31.5cms

To:
 4970gm, 57.1cm long, head 39.4cm, chest 38.2cm

It's the only home nurse visit, which is a shame. The next 3-4 month check up will be at the hall, but at least it will get me out of the house.

Naps

I am still researching all about the holy grail of napping, and the other day, came across this site:

http://www.troublesometots.com/are-you-keeping-baby-awake-too-long/

It is a fantastic site, all about naps and found the most golden piece of information yet-

Put baby down for a nap before he gets fussy. If he is crying, you have left it too long.  It makes sense really, as one gives them food before they start crying (looking for signs of hunger instead), so why wouldn't one get them to sleep before they start crying about it too.

This article was all about keeping baby awake for too long. Which I was guilty of- as I always thought that he would let me know when he was tired. Most of the time, it was about 1 1/2- 2hrs when he would get fussy, and by the time he would go down there would be some tears involved. It would usually take a lot of effort too- walking round and round in the park (though, that did help me lose my baby weight). Though now it is officially summer- the ergo with the infant insert is wayyy to hot (even with the special cooling pack I bought from Babies R Us- see picture below)



So, after reading this article, I kept a watchful eye on him (not the clock) and as soon as he would start to go quiet (into that staring phase they get into, after the looking around and moving limbs phase) I would swaddle him and put him straight into his bouncer. After a little while of bouncing and sometimes sucking on my thumb, or using white noise- he would be off in dreamland. No tears involved (or rarely). The site said that if you get them to sleep before they get overtired- then they fall asleep faster, and sleep longer! Fan-freakin-tastic!

 (not him, by the way)

Now, I think he is getting used to falling asleep there, and it is taking a little less effort everyday. The good news is, I can also put on TV while I am bouncing, and when it gets really hot, I can also put on the air-conditioning.

Here is a rough guideline of naps:

Baby Age	Time between Naps	Nap Duration	Number of Naps per Day
Birth – 6 weeks	45 min – 1 hour	15 minutes – 4 hours	4-8
6 Weeks – 3 Months	1 hour – 1 hour 45 minutes	30 minutes – 2 hours	3-5
3 Months – 6 Months	~2 Hours	30 minutes – 2 hours	3-4
6 Months – 9 Months	2-3 hours	1-3 hours	3
9 Months – 12 Months	~3 hours	1-2 hours	2