46 weeks - www.kidspot.com.au baby’s first year update

Baby's First Year Kidspot Welcome to week 46! This Week Your Baby Is: Mastering the pincer grip She's been able to grasp objects for some time, and can pass a toy from one hand to the other, but until she's mastered the pincer grip - picking up small objects using her thumb and forefinger - her fine motor skills are limited. Once she's got a strong pincer grip, she'll be able to play with a wider range of toys as she'll have the dexterity needed to manipulate, turn, and twist smaller parts. The pincer grip will also come in handy for self-feeding - with this move under control she can now pick up finger food from a plate and guide it to her mouth. You may even find that she resists eating anything from a spoon while she's mastering this new trick. Do remember, though, that she is at greater risk now of choking because she'll still have a strong desire to mouth everything she holds - and the smaller the item, the greater the choking risk. Discover age-appropriate games and toys for your baby Hot Topic: Manipulating mum At this age, the hot question at the playground is whether your baby is old enough to manipulate you. While his behaviour may tell a different story, experts all agree that a young child doesn't purposefully knowingly manipulate his parents by certain behaviours BUT (and there's always a but) if you repeatedly respond to your baby in a way that causes him to think that his actions will get a particular response, then you are teaching him to behave in a certain way - after all, your baby now has some understanding of cause and effect. So, if you want to stop your baby 'manipulating' you, then you'll have to take measures to change your own patterns of behaviour so that your baby will, in turn, modify his too. Explore how your baby is behaving at this age Kidspot Tip: Eating things that aren’t food With your baby's tendency to mouth everything she gets her hands, on coupled with her new abilities to move around and pick up small objects, you may be surprised (and not a little appalled) to discover her eating things that aren't food. And while she'll probably spit out anything truly vile, finding your baby with a cigarette butt in her mouth - found in the grass at the park - is a little shocking. Most things won't actually make your baby sick, but it is best to minimise this behaviour as much as you can because of the potential for harm. Get more information about eating things that aren't food Join the Kidspot Baby Club for access to the best prizes and giveaways, real advice from real mums and access to a supportive, friendly Easy Recipes Healthy dinner ideas Easy entertaining Salads Snacks Quick breakfast ideas Search all recipes Your Baby Breast or bottle? Baby care advice Best baby sleep info Baby names finder Your newborn Baby activities Just for Mums Enjoy MySpot today Join Kidspot Social Browse Kidspot Market Win daily prizes Get Kidspot Daily Unsubscribe from the mailing list? Click here If this is not your correct week, please click here to change your baby's birth date. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL Use only as directed. Incorrect use could be harmful. For the temporary relief of pain and fever. Consult your healthcare professional if symptoms persist.