For a look back at previous Brooks updates, check out the baby page!
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Little man is 4 months old & growing up way to fast! {Yes, I’m probably going to say that every month – but it’s true!} He’s less like a baby every week and more like a little guy. He’s so alert and seems to be learning something new everyday. He went through a little bit of a growth spurt this month & his personality shines through so much now. He engages with people, flirts with the ladies and smiles and laughs all day long. He loves music and making faces and he has really started putting anything & everything in his mouth! He’s such a joy to be around & I love that I get to spend each and every day with him.
Growth – At his 4 month appointment Brooks weighted in at 14 lb. 15.2 oz. / 25.5 inches. Which means he gained 3 lb. and grew 1 inch in 2 months. Not too shabby if you ask me. He’s just shy of 50% for his weight & height for his age. The doctor is happy with his progress & told us to keep doing what we are doing.
Feeding – Still going strong breastfeeding! I’m super proud of myself and Brooks for our teamwork over the past 4 months. It sort of makes me sad to think that the nursing has peaked and as food is introduced our special time together will be less and less. Our pediatrician advised us to start testing out tastes of smushed up food on Brooks’ tongue – she said he will let us know when he is really ready to eat. So far we’ve given him little tastes of avocado, beef, corn, cucumber, red pepper, chicken & carrot. It so funny watching him “try” food for the first time. I don’t think he’s ready to really eat at this point, but I think it’s good to start having him taste a few things.
Any suggestions or words of wisdom for the nursing -> eating food stage?
Sleeping – Since coming back from Disney, Brooks has been going to bed every night IN HIS CRIB! I thought I would be more sad about this than I was, but it turns out we were both ready for it. Brooks is a loud sleeper & he moves A TON – him being in the same room with me keeps me up, so it made sense that we would make that transition. He also now has a bedtime – we do bath time, read a book & I nurse him around 7:00pm – he’s usually in bed asleep by 7:30pm & since doing this consistently he’s ready for bed every night around that time. He was getting up around 1:00am a few times but mostly sleeps until the 3:00 – 5:00am range, nurses and then is back asleep until 7:00am or so. Last night he slept until 5:00am and it was like the most amazing thing ever, I’m hoping he does it again {and again and again!}
He is still napping 3 times a day {most days} – a morning, noon & afternoon nap – sometimes he’s down for 20-30 minutes, sometimes 2 hours, you just never know. Sometimes he naps like a champ on the go, in the stroller/ carseat, other times he’s not into it. I’m enjoying the consistency & predicability during this time. It makes it easier for me to know whats bothering him and how to fix it. I’m crossing my fingers it stays like this for a while!
Clothes – JUST started outgrowing his 3 month clothes, specifically the ones with footies, he can still fit in most of his 3 month onesies but for the most part he is in 6 month clothes. We are also on our last box of size 2 Pampers Swaddlers & will be purchasing size 3 after that!
Loves – HIS TOES! He’s obsessed with them. He was able to fully put them in his mouth for the first time today {very easily, I might add}, but that’s something he’s been working on for a few weeks. He’s a little more into tummy time & does it for longer each week. He recently started to “stand” while being held, he seems so strong when he does this & loves being up rather than on his back. During his nights in his crib he has started turning over, I’m not sure if this is with the assistance of the side of the bed or what, but we put him down on his back and we wake up to find him on his belly. I think he’s really going to start rolling over anyway now as he hasn’t done it for me during the day yet. He also loves being outside – if he’s being fussy inside the house I take a walk with him outside & he immediately stops – he loves looking around and watching the world go by.
Highlights – This past month Brooks had his first trip to Disney, his first trip to the aquarium, first visit to the beach & his first ride on a swing! It’s so much fun to experience each and every new first with our little guy.
Here are some more of my favorite photos of baby Brooks in his fourth month!
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14 Comments
He is soooo cute! I noticed you had him in a baby carrier in one of the pictures- which type do you use?
Hi Fit Fun Mom – I use a CatBird carrier, it’s #3 on my favorite things post here:
http://www.andherlittledogtoo.com/2014/02/brooks-favorite-things-one-month-old.html
I’m obsessed with it, its so easy to use & Brooks loves it!
I like this advice: Food before one is just for fun!
There is a really interesting article on Kelly Mom on why it’s good to delay solids until six months, when the gut is fully formed.
I love Kelly Mom – it is so helpful. I read that post (and heard from many others) about the 6 month mark – however, that post was written in 2011 and my pediatrician explained that recently the research is showing that 4 months is ok to start introducing solids! I want to do some more research first before the time comes for my daughter (she’s almost 3 months now).
Ashley – I’m sure it is fine! I’m a FTM (aka clueless), so I just found it to be interesting. My son just started to enjoy solids last week (he’s 7.5mo)…I was starting to worry since every time we fed him something prior to then, he would make a face like we were poisoning him! It kind of comes as a relief because I haven’t been responding to the pump as well lately. I know milk is still the main source of calories/nutrition for the first year, but it takes a little bit of stress off!
My daughter will be 3 months tomorrow and I love reading your monthly updates! It’s like a preview of what’s to come!
This webinar will answer all your q’s about introducing solids: http://youtu.be/9XDg9vNpI_A .
It’s a fun stage, enjoy!
Thanks! Checking that out now!
Love the pics! Love the updates!
I think I have baby fever! I’m getting married in Feb… cant wait to start my own family.
He’s a beautiful baby!
Thank you Monique!
What an awesome Month Four with Brooks! I can’t believe how much he has grown/changed and I love it! He’s the bestest!
Hi Leslie – I used to live in Philly a few years ago and started following your blog when I lived there. I still keep up with it now (live in San Francisco). I actually work for an organic baby food company, Plum Organics. You can find our products in most major grocery stores and Target. I would recommend checking those out. Our stage 1 mango and stage 1 sweet potato blends are very tasty. Erica
Cute, big, guy! My advice for the transition to food is to look into Baby Led Weaning. It is amazing! So fun and easy!
I love seeing all of your pictures of him! The pictures in the chair with the teddy bear are so nifty to see how much he’s growing, too!