Arden is 4 months old. She has been enjoying her sleep schedule. We put her down around 6:30/7p and she usually sleeps until 5am. She usually gets up once during the night for a feed (anywhere from 1a-5a, but usually around 5a). We’ll do a feed and then she’ll go back down until around 7/7:30a. Her naps range from 30min to 2+ hours. We let her dictate her nap schedule as we’ll look for her sleep cues (rubbing her eyes, eyes getting tired, yawning, getting more fussy, etc.). Additionally, we usually don’t actively wake her from nap — we let her cry for us when she’s ready to wake up. We’ll immediately do a feed upon waking. We’ve learned it’s crucial for her to get her naps (and not get them on-the-go) as she will get more fussy throughout the day with missed naps and then it gets harder for her to get her to sleep when it’s her bedtime. Overall, the sleep schedule we’ve been following has worked out really well for her.
Today and this week we start her transition to day care (or as we call it “school”). We stayed for about 45 minutes and met her teachers and the other infants in her class. Currently, she’s the youngest one, but I think she’ll thrive in the LePort Montessori environment. Carelia, the head teacher, is so sweet and has an amazing 6th sense for infant safety and thinking ahead of what they’ll need and do! We got to take a nice long peek into the classroom which is an awesome indoor/outdoor class. I’m amazed at how independent the infant class (3mo-18mo) can be: some of the older kids were taking out their placemats and setting up their eating area for a snack. Another child was independently playing in her own play space. Some of the kids were learning potty training (once they’re able to stand and walk, the kids will have a diaper change standing up and learn to use the potty and wash their hands). They have a sound machine (white noise) for nap time and the kids will sleep on a floor mattress. I’m so excited for this as we will transition Arden from her bassinet to a floor mattress when she outgrows her bassinet. I have to admit that I got a bit teary-eyed looking around at all the amazing interactions and learning that Arden will receive. I feel like we’re providing her with such a great start in life, and it made me so proud that we could give that to her.
Today was also Arden’s 4 month check up. She got 4 shots and the oral rotavirus vaccine. Poor baby was such a trooper through it all. She’s doing so well on all fronts: weight 70%, height 91%, and head circumference 81%. She was so interactive with her pediatrician (Dr. Fishman is fabulous!). Our doc gave us the thumbs up to carry Arden in the baby carrier facing out. Woohoo!! This is going to open up a whole new world for her as she loves to explore! Arden has been doing so great with tummy time and wanting to crawl and stand. During the shots, I noticed that she has two bottom teeth!! One has erupted and it looks like the other one will erupt soon! She hasn’t been fussy at all so we didn’t really have any indicators, other than her putting her hands in her mouth all the time. But, we assumed that was just what babies do. About a month ago or so, my mom noticed that Arden was kinda blowing bubbles and thought that may be a sign of teething. Perhaps she was right!! Our doc also suggested that we can start an organic rice cereal and then an organic oat cereal. So, that will be next!! Holy smokes this is all happening so fast!
Our little girl is getting so big and it’s so exciting to see the changes and new developments.
Love. Laughter. Life. Medicine. 