34 Week Old Baby: Development, Milestones & Care Tips

Your baby is officially 34 weeks old, and they must be growing just fine. Now that they are using their hands to grasp toys, you will also see them using their hands to explore their body. This stage marks a period of heightened curiosity and exploration as your little one becomes more aware of their surroundings. From improved motor skills to budding social interactions, your baby’s growth is in full swing. From this week onwards, you will see your munchkin smiling more often and trying to reach out for the food on his plate at mealtimes. They will be learning new things every day and surprise you. Want to learn more about how your baby will develop at 34 weeks? Read on!

A 34-Week-Old Baby’s Development

Your baby will grow a lot during this period and each passing week. He will learn how to crawl, hear, touch, and explore. This week is an excellent time to introduce your little one to his surroundings, toys, and foods.

[Also Read: 8 Months Old Baby Development]

A Thirty-Four Week-Old Baby’s Milestones

The following are the milestones you will notice during your baby’s 34th week of development-

• Ambidexterity – Your little one may show a preference for using both hands (5).
• Chattiness – Your baby will babble a lot and laugh/smile, too. He will be responsive to your voice and love listening to tunes you sing (4).
• Diaper Curiosity – Your baby will be curious about his private parts and may discover them during diaper time. It’s a normal process of sexuality, and you must make sure they do it only when they’re alone and not in front of others.
• Crawling – Your baby will make several attempts and master crawling during the upcoming days and weeks (3).

[Also Read: 8 Months Old Baby Milestones]

Feeding

As far as feeding is concerned, your baby will slowly try to transition from purees and mashed foods to solid ones. It’s a good time to allow your little one to eat what he wants, but don’t wean him off breastmilk or formula milk. He needs his nutrition, after all. Your baby will eat three meals daily plus snacks up to three times daily (7).

Buy a smock-on baby wipe which covers your baby’s front and whole arms. Keep some wipes ready on the side in case he spits or spills. Your baby will love getting introduced to new cutlery, and you’ll find plenty of options in the market. When buying plates and containers for your baby, make sure they come with suction cups and can latch on properly to surfaces. Your little one is smart, too, and may upend those suction cups, spilling everything over along with the containers and plates if you’re not careful.

Keep a set of small sealable containers for storing foods, yoghurt, and mini desserts at home. Special sealable slotted lunchbox sets may work just as well. For snacks and food on the go, buy a few refilling pouches. You may need them when you need to pack food in a rush.

Your baby will also try to feed himself and show interest by reaching out for food on the plate by himself. You may try introducing finger foods, but be sure to observe when he’s eating just in case he’s at risk of choking. Soften the foods by steaming or mashing before you serve, and make sure they’re easy to chew or nibble. At first, your baby will find it difficult to drink from his sippy cup directly and may spill a lot. Keep the floor ready for that, and be patient. You may try giving your little one a doidy cup which looks like a slanted baby cup minus the lid. That’s a great alternative for those who spill (8).

[Also Read: 8 Months Old Baby Food]

Sleeping

A 34-week-old baby’s sleep patterns usually manifest as disturbances since he will be learning to crawl at this age and near his teething stages. Besides sleeping for shorter periods, they will be awake longer. If you’re wondering when they will return to their old sleeping patterns, you’ll be surprised to know that it will take up to three months from the time they master crawling. We recommend you don’t stick to the clock and watch out for sleeping cues. Adjust your work and lifestyle schedules to the rhythms of your baby’s sleep patterns since it will be in a transitory phase (1).

[Also Read: 8 Months Old Baby Sleep]

Products That 34-Week Baby Needs

As your baby reaches 34 weeks, their needs evolve along with their growth and development. Ensuring you have the right products can make a significant difference in their comfort and your peace of mind.

• Developmental Toys: Toys that encourage motor skills, such as stacking rings or soft blocks, are great for promoting hand-eye coordination and cognitive development.
• Mealtime Smock: A waterproof, easy-to-clean mealtime smock can be a lifesaver during feeding times. It helps protect your baby’s clothes from spills and stains, allowing them to explore new foods without the mess.

Tips to Take Care of a 34-Week-Old Baby

Some babies develop a little slow, while others go extremely fast. Some may develop at an average rate. The important thing to consider is to keep certain checks and measures in mind for those unexpected times and spurts of development. The following are 34-week-old baby care tips for parents-

• Babyproof Medicine Cabinets – As your baby masters crawling, he may try to reach out for things at elevated levels. Even if you keep your medicines in lower cupboards out of reach, you must label them if they’re hazardous and lock the cabinets. Don’t keep them in open areas, as they will be naturally curious the more you try to keep them away from those.
• Be Chatty – Modulate your voice and sing rhymes to teach your baby new words and get him used to communicate non-verbally too. If you’re feeling creative, you could bring some toys and point at them, labelling them verbally aloud. Maybe even ask your little one to grab that toy truck for you.
• Take Time Off – Although it’s good to be chatty, take breaks in between. Repeat the same words every now and then to improve retention rates and master nuances or unfamiliar strings of syllables.
• Buy Cutlery and Feeding Equipment – Trust us, you’ll need them, as your little one will be spilling food, exploring cutlery with his hands, and sometimes banging them, too.
• Babyproof Your Home – Keep choking hazards away, install washable mats (for spills), and keep wipes and food pouches at home for times when he’s hungry or in the mood for spilling. Remove sharp objects and maintain proper hygiene so that he doesn’t ingest harmful particles from the floor. A little dirt and dust aren’t bad when he’s crawling around, but make sure it’s nothing too serious.
• Buy Toys – Your baby will use his hands to grasp, transfer, exchange, and throw objects here and there. It’s a good idea to buy new toys and let them explore. It will aid in their physical and gross motor development, which is something you definitely want as a parent.

Tests and Vaccinations

The following tests and vaccinations must be done if the baby’s milestones are delayed or in case of some other medical problem (6).

• Hearing and vision examinations
• Blood checkup for identifying blood group
• Screening tests for different common and rare diseases
• Lung tests
• Glucose, salts, calcium and other similar vitamins/mineral tests
• Urine tests
• Bilirubin level testing to check for jaundice
• Ultrasound screening tests to examine the development of your baby’s organs, brain and heart.
• RSV and Hepatitis B Vaccinations – These are important immunisation routines which must be carried out especially if your baby was born preterm/premature

Note: No vaccine is administered in week 34. A vaccine can be given in this week in case it was missed. MMR vaccine is administered on completion of week 36.

Games and Activities

We recommend the following games and activities for a 34 week infant-

• Toy Box – Grab a toy box and fill it with objects made of different materials (like plastic, wood, and fuzzy textures). Your baby will soon start exploring.
• A Playmat – Use different fabrics to make a playmat or ‘exploration sheet’. This is excellent for their sensory development and refines their sense of touch and textures.
• Socialising With Others – You may bond with other mothers and friends dropping in to greet your little one. Introduce your munchkin to them and let him play with kids his age.
• Hide and Seek – Hide some toys and objects and ask your baby to find them. This will help them master crawling and develop their visual perception.
• Cause and Effect – Use toys and building blocks to demonstrate cause and effect. Allow your baby to throw things around and notice what sounds they make when thrown around.

[Also Read: 8 Months Old Baby Games and Activities]

When to Consult a Doctor?

Consult a doctor if (2):

• Your baby is not eating or being fussy during breastfeeding times.
• He shows a lack of interest in playing with toys.
• He is not trying to crawl or is sitting still for long hours.
• You notice any signs of unexpected or abnormal behaviour at this age.
• You are worried about developmental delays and notice signs of those taking place.

FAQs

1. Should I be concerned if my baby isn’t meeting certain milestones?

Every baby develops at their own pace, so some variations are normal. However, if you have concerns about your baby’s development or seem significantly behind in multiple areas, it’s a good idea to consult your paediatrician for guidance.

2. How can I support my baby’s cognitive development at this stage?

Engage your baby in activities stimulating their senses, such as playing with colourful toys, reading books, and singing songs. These activities encourage cognitive growth by helping them make connections between sounds, sights, and actions.

As a parent, the best thing you can do is be patient and shower your little one with love while also giving them time for exploration and development. Enjoy parenthood to the fullest because now is the time for that.

References/Resources:

1. 7-9 Month Old Baby Development & Milestones; Children’s Hospital of Orange County; https://choc.org/primary-care/ages-stages/7-to-9-months/

2. Developmental Milestones: 7 Months; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Developmental-Milestones-7-Months.aspx

3. 7-9 Months Overview; Pathways.org; https://pathways.org/growth-development/7-9-months/overview/

4. Your baby’s development: 6-9 months; NCT; https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/your-childs-development/your-babys-development-6-9-months

5. Your Growing Child | 7 to 9 Months; Corewell Health; https://www.beaumont.org/services/childrens/health-safety/your-growing-child-7-9-months

6. Your baby’s vaccinations; March of Dimes; https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/birth/your-babys-vaccinations

7. Sample Menu for a Baby 8 to 12 Months Old; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/sample-one-day-menu-for-an-8-to-12-month-old.aspx

8. Starting Solid Foods; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspx

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