1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months Birth 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months 10 Months 11 Months 12 Months 13 thru 18 Months 19 thru 24 Months

Body Shop: How you’ll change

Some of the symptoms you experienced in previous months may continue. In addition, you may feel the baby moving around more.

Whew! You’re probably having fewer mood swings, although you may still feel irritable at times. It’s okay… a little absentmindedness and forgetfulness are to be expected.1

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Mommy-Do List: Things to do this month

  • If you haven’t already chosen a physician for your baby, now’s a good time to think about it. Ask your friends who they recommend, and set up an interview appointment before the baby arrives. If possible, pick one with an office close to your home.10
  • Prepare your will and choose a guardian.
  • Are you drinking enough water? Getting a healthy 48 to 64 ounces per day can help stop constipation and prevent hemorrhoids.2

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Nutrition Watch: Eating right for two

You may not have considered water a part of your diet, but it’s important to a healthy pregnancy. Ideally, you should drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses per day plus one 8-ounce glass for each hour of light activity. Do juices count? Yes, but remember they also add a lot of extra calories. Don’t consider caffeinated beverages like coffee, cola and tea when you’re adding up your ounces. They’re diuretics, so they make you urinate and actually cause you to lose water.

Water’s crucial during pregnancy because it carries nutrients through your blood to the baby. It also helps prevent bladder infections, which are common during pregnancy, and it can ease constipation and help prevent hemorrhoids. In spite of what you may think, the more you drink, the less water you retain. Finally, drinking water helps prevent dehydration, which is especially critical in the third trimester when dehydration can cause contractions that can trigger pre-term labor.2

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1 “Pregnancy, Month by Month” University of Michigan Health System Web site at www.med.umich.edu

2 “Ask the Experts: How Much Water Should I Drink While I’m Pregnant?” www.babycenter.com

10 “Month by Month Pregnancy Guide” Sutter Health System Web site at www.babies.sutterhealth.org

The information on this Web site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding you or your child's health.

Consult your physician or dental professional if using another fluoridated product.

Helpful Tips
for Parents

Baby's First Holiday

Having a new baby in the family can bring extra special meaning to the holidays, but it can also create extra tension as everyone jostles for your little one's attention. With careful planning, lots of communication and a willingness to put your new family first, your holiday can be just the way you want it.
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Weigh In

You usually know instinctively if your baby is healthy, but comparing her growth to "normal" guidelines is a good way to help put your mind at ease. Many babies grow a half inch to an inch per month between birth and six months. In that same period, babies can gain five to seven ounces per week. Between six months and a year, she'll probably grow about three-eighths inch per month and gain three to five ounces per week. It's normal for her to double her birth height and triple her birth weight by her first birthday.

Source: "Infant and Toddler Health," www.mayoclinic.com, August 21, 2009

Shoe Knew?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies don't actually need to wear shoes until they start learning to walk. Going shoeless indoors allows your infant's feet to grow normally, helps them develop strength and lets her experiment with grasping with her toes. If you want to keep her feet warm or protect them from the elements, opt for soft-soled slippers, booties or nonskid socks.