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The term “Wonder Weeks” is familiar to many parents. But it can be confusing about what they are exactly and why they’re important.
A Wonder Week is different from a growth spurt. Wonder Weeks relate to changes in a baby’s mental development. Where they can begin to see and understand things they were too young to comprehend before. Growth spurts are generally specific to physical development.
next – The history of Wonder Weeks
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The term “Wonder Weeks” is familiar to many parents. But it can be confusing about what they are exactly and why they’re important.
A Wonder Week is different from a growth spurt. Wonder Weeks relate to changes in a baby’s mental development. Where they can begin to see and understand things they were too young to comprehend before. Growth spurts are generally specific to physical development.
next – The history of Wonder Weeks
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In 1992, two Dutch researchers, Dr. Frans X. Plooij and his wife Dr. Hetty van de Rijt published a book titled Wonder Weeks. Their backgrounds were in Educational Psychology, Physical Anthropology and Behavioural Biology.
Much of their research had been done on primates where they observed lots of similarities between immature humans and primates. Their book is a collection of information about how human infants develop and what parents can do to support them.
From the Wonder Weeks book and its popularity, the term has become more common. To the point where many parents look for their baby’s Wonder Weeks to better understand why their baby is behaving in a particular way at a particular age.
next – What exactly is a Wonder Week?
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A Wonder Week is one way to describe intense periods of infant development. There are thought to be peak times when all babies grow quickly and go through stages of advancing their physical and mental growth. And similarly, times when they don’t seem to do much at all.
Fussiness and an increase in separation anxiety can be cues that a baby is about to make a developmental leap. It’s useful for parents to think about what their baby is experiencing during a Wonder Week to best understand why their baby may be a bit more unsettled and clingy.
Other names for Wonder Weeks are Fussy Weeks or Stormy Weeks.
next – What do we know about development?
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Babies develop in physical and mental steps. They progress through a generally consistent series of advancing skills which build on each other. An example is learning to sit, then crawl, pull themselves to stand and then walk. And although every baby is a special and unique little individual, they still share similar patterns and order when it comes to their development.
Research has shown that big neurological changes happen in the brain of children aged younger than 20 months. And after these changes, there is equally as much change in their mental and physical development. Essentially, a baby’s brain needs to get bigger and more developed before they’re capable of doing more mature things.
next – When are the Wonder Weeks?
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This generally depends on the individual baby. There are all sorts of factors which influence babies’ development. Genetics, environment, gender, prematurity, siblings – the list is endless.
But on average, give or take a week or two, the following ages are suggested as when Wonder Weeks happen:
- 5 weeks
- 8 weeks
- 12 weeks
- 17 weeks
- 26 weeks
- 36 weeks
- 44 weeks
- 53 weeks
next – What are Mental Leaps?
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These are ten stages from week 5 of birth to around 17 months of age. Each stage represents changes in a baby’s development and perception of their world. Babies are only capable of developing particular skills after their brain has matured sufficiently.
As they grow and their brain changes, they become more clever.
next – What are Sunny Weeks?
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These are the weeks after a baby has progressed through a Wonder Week and a whole new stage of development. They just seem a lot happier. A Sunny Week follows when a baby has done the hard work of learning new skills and they want to show the world just how clever they are.
During Sunny Weeks babies will often sleep and feed better, be more willing to explore and are less clingy. They just seem a bit more contented in their own skin. And importantly, they’re often more pleasant to be around.
When are the sunny weeks?
Just like the Wonder Weeks, Sunny Weeks vary according to the individual baby. They happen in-between the more fussy and unsettled weeks when development is rapid.
- 6 weeks
- 10 weeks
- 13 weeks
- 21 weeks
- 31 weeks
- 39 weeks
- 49 weeks
- 58 weeks.
next – What do I need to do during a Wonder Week?
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- Look after you. Wonder Weeks can be very tiring for parents and it’s important you don’t neglect yourself.
- Understand that your baby’s fussiness is not a permanent state. Their clinginess is a sign of feeling insecure. Cuddling and reassuring your baby will help them to feel better.
- Remind yourself that this change in your baby is short term. Very soon they’ll progress through this stage of needing you more and will be a little more independent.
- Expect your baby to be a little more unsettled and clingy. Change is often scary for babies and young children. Being able to do more physically can create fear in them.
- You might need to nurse your baby to sleep.
- Try not to worry about your baby’s usual breastfeeding routine. They’re likely to want to feed more often.
- Give your baby lots of cuddles and attention.
- Reassure your baby that they are OK and you are close.
- Try to stay at home where your baby feels safe and secure.
- Expect some changes in your baby’s feeding and sleeping routines and patterns.
- Don’t be concerned if your little one isn’t as keen to explore as they usually are. They’re likely to want to stay close to you.
- Try not to worry if your baby seems to have gone backwards in their development. Behaving like a younger baby is common during a Wonder Week.
next – The three Cs of fussiness
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Being cranky, clingy and crying are the classic signs that babies show when they’re unhappy. And according to the Wonder Weeks philosophy, these are times when parents need to support and guide their baby.
Other Causes for Fussiness
- Being unwell. Sickness, an elevated temperature, a cold or generally feeling miserable can all cause fussiness.
- An environmental change. Moving house, starting day care, or household stress can all be cause changes in infant behaviour.
- Teething.
- Changes in sleep. Tiredness, reluctance to settle and transitioning from a cot to a bed can all cause fussiness too.
- A baby’s temperament. Some babies are just a little more sensitive than others and need more reassurance.
NB. If you are worried about your baby have them checked by a healthcare professional. It’s important not to assume fussiness is because of developmental change.
next – Want more information on Wonder Weeks?
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- The Wonder Weeks Video
- thewonderweeks.com
- Parenting and Child Health
This article was written for Kidspot by Jane Barry from www.mybabybaby.com.au – child health nurse, midwife and parenting columnist.