Leap 1: The world of changing sensations

Question 1

What changes occur in baby’s brain, at approximately 3-4 weeks?

Answer 1

• There is a dramatic increase in a baby’s head circumference.
• Their glucose metabolism, in the brain, also changes.

Question 2

How can you soothe baby while they go through the difficult phases of a leap?

Answer 2

• Hold baby upright against you, with their bottom resting on one arm while your other arm supports their head resting against your shoulder. Here, they can feel the soothing beat of your heart.
• Cuddle and caress them
• Rock them gently back and forth
• Walk around slowly with them
• Hum a song
• Pat them gently on the bottom
• The most successful way to comfort a crying baby is to remember what they enjoy most while in a cheerful mood, and try it even during fussy phases.

Question 3

Why is it important to comfort a baby with contact and attention?

Answer 3

• Makes it easier to adapt to changes at their own pace.

- Gives them self-confidence, knowing that someone is there to comfort them.

Question 4

What happens during the first leap?

Answer 4

• Undergoing enormous changes that affect their metabolism, internal organs, and senses.
• Baby is likely to outgrow digestive system issues they initially had.
• May notice them crying real tears for the first time.
• They can see further and more clearly now.
• Lose some of their newborn skills
• Baby looks longer than before at objects of interest. The brighter the colors, greater the contrast between colors, the more fascinating they will find them. They also like striped and angular shapes (and your face!).
• Most babies like sounds and at 5 weeks you can have chats with them.
• Babies become more aware of being touched.

Question 5

What should we know about baby’s choices?

Answer 5

• Every baby will have their own preferences.
• Their interests give us clues to their developing personality.
• Let baby lead and give them plenty of opportunities to explore what interests them.
• Respond to baby’s cues when they are over something.
• They can not focus very long; will need lots of breaks.
• Smiling = they like it.
• Turning away = dislike/overstimulated

Question 6

What is observable during the easy period?

Answer 6

• Baby is more cheerful, more alert, and more preoccupied with looking and listening than ever before.
• Capable of expressing their likes and dislikes at this point.