Leap 4: The world of events

Question 1

What is observable during the easy period?

Answer 1

• Babies seem to have boundless energy.
• Explore their surroundings with great determination and enthusiasm.
• They grow increasingly impatient with only their parents to play with.
• May try to wriggle off lap if they see something else that interests them.
• Much more independent! And more cheerful than ever before!

Question 2

Baby is becoming increasingly mobile, how can we baby proof our home in response?

Answer 2

• Never leave small objects, such as buttons, pins, or coins, near your baby.
• When your baby is on your lap during feeding, make sure they can’t suddenly grab a cup or mug containing a hot drink.
• Never leave hot drinks on a table within your baby’s reach. Not even on a high table - they could knock it down when grabbing the table or table cloth.
• Use a guard or fence around stoves and fireplaces.
• Keep poisonous substances, such as turpentine, bleach, and medications, out of your baby’s reach and in childproof containers when possible.
• Make sure electrical outlets are secured with socket covers and that there are not trailing wires.

Question 3

Why does this leap and it’s fussy phase last longer than typical?

Answer 3

The skills baby is learning are much more complicated.

Question 4

Signs baby is beginning the leap (fussy phase)

Answer 4

• cry more often
• often bad-tempered, cranky, or fretful
• demands more attention
• needs more head support
• wants more physical contact
• sleep poorly
• loses appetite
• quieter, less vocal
• less lively
• have noticeable mood swings
• wants more physical contact while nursing
• sucks thumb, or does so more often

Question 5

What happens during this leap?

Answer 5

• Babies will be able to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel a short series of smooth transitions and do them themselves. This new ability will affect their whole behavior.
• They will begin to experiment with events ( short, familiar sequences of smooth transitions)

Question 6

What are some examples of a smooth transition?

Answer 6

• shaking playthings
• attempting to press, push, bang a toy.
• grabbing an object and passing it to the other hand. -
• immediately putting something they grabbed in their mouth.
• turning playthings around.

Question 7

How can you help baby during this leap?

Answer 7

• help them begin to learn to roll
• help them begin to learn to crawl
• give them plenty of opportunities to practice using their hands and fingers.
• Allow them to explore their world
• help them explore things while they are sitting