Welcome to week 4 of motherhood. Your little one is starting to grow and express themselves now and you'll already be getting a sense of their big personality!
P.S. Not at week 4? Update your baby's birth date here.
You and your baby
Week 4 News
Your baby has been working on better muscle control, so their movements will be becoming much smoother. If you move a toy from side to side in front of them, they can track it with their eyes. The adorable baby talk is starting too: coos, gurgles and assorted grunts are all on their way!
The Expert View
Tummy troubles can be very common for little ones – not to mention stressful for both of you. Rest assured, it's common, so if your baby has an upset tummy, you're not alone. If your baby is crying excessively, then it could be colic. Try burping regularly or gentle baby massage.
'Expressing' breast milk into a sterile bottle is a good way of storing excess milk, or letting daddy have a go at feeding. You can express by hand or with a pump, but it's best to wait until around 6 weeks, when your breastfeeding routine is set and a constant milk flow has been established.
Iron is an important part of a good breastfeeding diet. It plays an essential role in helping red blood cells carry oxygen around your body, which can help you feel less tired and also supports your baby's brain development. Good sources include lean red meat and green leafy vegetables.
A trip out can be a nice break, but it can also be quite overwhelming. It's totally normal to feel this way, so to ease you both in, why not try a class for mum and baby! You can rest assured that you'll have all the facilities there that you need.
Get some expert help
Remember our Careline team is always on hand to help. You can talk to our expert mums about expressing milk or anything else that's on your mind. Get in touch 24/7 using our live chat, by phone or by email.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The best way to feed a baby is to breastfeed, as breast milk provides the ideal balanced diet and protection against illness for your baby and also many non-nutritional benefits for both baby and mother. We recommend that you speak to your healthcare professional when deciding on your choice of feeding your baby. Professional guidance should also be sought on the preparation for and maintenance of breastfeeding. If you do choose to breastfeed, it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Infant formula is intended to replace breast milk when mothers choose not to breastfeed or if for some reason they are unable to do so. A decision not to breastfeed, or to introduce partial bottle-feeding, will reduce the supply of breast milk. If for any reason you choose not to breastfeed, do remember that such a decision can be difficult to reverse. Using infant formula also has social and financial implications which must be considered. Infant formula should always be prepared, used and stored as instructed on the label, in order to avoid risks to a baby's health.
