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

In this last month, you’ll feel your baby squirming and rolling more and kicking less. Since the baby is in a lower position, you may be able to breathe easier, but you’ll have to urinate more frequently. You may go from feeling extremely tired to having extra energy and vice versa. You could be very hungry or not hungry at all.

A mixture of excitement, anxiety, apprehensiveness and relief is common. Give yourself a break if you’re irritable, overly sensitive, restless and impatient. After all, you’ve been waiting nine months!1

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Mommy-Do List: Things to do this month

  • Finalize your hospital arrangements.
  • Make a list of important phone numbers and keep them close to the phone.
  • Pack your bag for the hospital and plan how you’ll get there at different times of the day or night.
  • Shop for the things you’ll need when you come home from the hospital such as food and diapers.
  • Just because you’re reaching the end of your pregnancy doesn’t mean you should stop practicing the healthy habits you’ve formed.
  • Keep drinking water even after the baby is born to prevent dehydration and help keep your energy level up.

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Nutrition Watch: Eating right for two

If you’re a skim milk drinker, there’s no need to switch to whole milk just because you’re pregnant. The only thing you’re missing is fat, which you’re probably getting enough of from other sources unless you’re consciously trying to cut back.

Doctors say 30 percent or less of your daily calories should come from fat. To get the calcium and vitamin D you need while you’re pregnant, drink four eight-ounce glasses of skim milk per day, or eat other calcium-rich foods such as yogurt, cottage cheese and calcium-fortified orange juice.9

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

9 “Ask the Expert: Should I Drink Whole Milk During Pregnancy?” www.babycenter.com

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.

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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.