Baby Physical Development in 6-Week-Olds

Remember the last time you saw your OB? (Hint: You both pulled an all-nighter and, as a result, you became a mom.) Well, it's reunion time! Your postpartum exam is due. She'll probably tell you it's OK to "resume" your exercise routine. But, with all the feeding, changing, loving, crying, laughing and not sleeping, aren't you already doing your own form of a marathon these days? (She'll probably give you the go ahead for postpartum sex, too. But it's OK if you want to pretend you didn't hear that part.)
What You're Thinking: "I can start exercising and having sex again! Wait... do I have to?"

• Let your baby play on the carpet or a play mat with different shapes, textures and plastic mirrors and objects on it to give his neck and growing brain a workout. Feel free to lay down with him during "tummy time" and "meditate" (that's parent code for "relax").
• While you're puttering around getting chores done, move baby around the house with you. The change of scenery will stimulate his mental and visual development. Things are still pretty blurry to him, but his vision is improving as the weeks go by.
• Your baby's neck muscles are getting stronger and he may be able to hold his head up almost 90 degrees now, just for a little bit. If you pull him up from the bed by his arms, he'll make an effort to raise his head up as you do it. (Kinda like you when you're trying to raise your head up to get out of bed to feed him at midnight.)
• If you're breastfeeding, some time in the next few weeks your little pooper may suddenly go from having three to nine bowel movements a day to having only one a day (or less). This is totally normal, so don't worry! Baby is only constipated if he's passing hard, dry poops. If they're the texture of applesauce, it's all good. (Did you ever think you'd talk about poop so much in your life?!)

• You managed to get through the first paragraph of a news article before you nodded off. No worries, those first few sentences will give you something other than baby burping to talk about at the next family gathering. (Although you'll probably talk non-stop about burping, anyway.)
• You discovered a new parent truism: It doesn't matter that you're now a swaddling pro—your baby's an even better pro at breaking free from being swaddled!
• You've mastered the midnight baby feeding, changing and re-snapping the pajamas routine.
• You've embraced the fact that some days you don't get out the door until noon... and that there's nothing wrong with that!
• You remembered that the phrase "getting busy" can mean something other than trying to change a diaper, answer the phone and recite "This Little Piggy" at the same time (even if you didn't actually "get busy").

Remember your kitchen? That place where you used to do things other than grab a handful of crackers while sterilizing nipples? Well it's time to get reacquainted—even if you are only using one hand these days. Simplify your kitchen tasks with our helpful kitchen tips and soon you'll be having real meals again ... or at least grabbing handfuls of string cheese to go along with your crackers. (Hey! It's practically a balanced lunch!) Read More ...

• How can I keep strangers from touching my baby?
• What can I do about my baby's preference for one breast?
• Is it OK to diet while breastfeeding?
• Does formula help babies gain weight faster than breast milk?

Do It: Flat as a Board
Resume working out slowly with something like this ab-strengthing exercise. Save the triathlon for next year!
Buy It: Strollometer
Walking around and around (and around!) the block trying to get baby to fall asleep counts as "exercise" in our book!
Know It: Places to Breastfeed in Public
Worried about flashing the whole world when you're nursing on the go? You're not alone!
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.

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All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.