Your little one is already over 1 month old! It's a big milestone and so to celebrate, we'll be giving you some sweet 'firsts' to look out for. We'll also be giving you some handy tips on eating healthily whilst breastfeeding.
P.S. Not at week 5? Update your baby's birth date here.
You and your baby
Week 5 News
Your baby is awake for longer now, so it's a good time to introduce short play sessions. Sing to them, make faces or show them a cloth baby book to get their little brains working. Just remember to keep it short and sweet – after all, stimulation is good but over-stimulation might lead to an irritable baby!
The Expert View
With so much going on with your little one, you also need to remember to look after yourself! Follow as healthy a diet as you can, keep hydrated and, if you're breastfeeding, add about 450 extra calories a day. A good way to get these calories is from vitamin and mineral-rich foods – like an extra bowl of veg soup with two slices of bread.
If you are expressing milk to complement breastfeeding, sterilising bottles is really important. Newborn babies are more susceptible to colds and infections than older children. So keep sniffling adults or siblings away and make sure you sterilise anything that goes in your little one's mouth.
One of the most incredible milestones might be about to happen to you and your baby… The first smile is always a treasured moment for parents and a timely reminder of why those sleepless nights are worth it.
Tip: And first tears!
Your baby might be crying real tears around now. Don't worry, your little one isn' more upset – it's just the ducts opening up for the first time.
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.
