Nursery World - A month in the life of Jasmine Maya (10)

Jasmine is growing more active, and reaches out to grab objects hanging from her baby gym. She is also able to make them rattle, and the sound always brings a smile. For much of the time her feet are in the air. She catches hold of them firmly and 'caresses' her bare knees, smoothing her hands around them. On a couple of occasions Jasmine has rolled over from her tummy on to her back, but this is not yet a regular event. At 18 weeks, Jasmine's weight gain had (just) returned her to the 0.4th centile of the growth chart and by five months she was slightly above it. She now weighs 5.216kg (11lb 71/2oz), still light for her age. Jasmine has now had her second and third stages of immunisation, without the high temperature she had the first time. This was helped by being given infant paracetamol beforehand.

At 18 weeks, Jasmine's weight gain had (just) returned her to the 0.4th centile of the growth chart and by five months she was slightly above it. She now weighs 5.216kg (11lb 71/2oz), still light for her age. Jasmine has now had her second and third stages of immunisation, without the high temperature she had the first time. This was helped by being given infant paracetamol beforehand.

Vocally, Jasmine copies her mother's voice, now managing two syllable sounds. This turn-taking conversation is regularly extended to other family members too. Jasmine often laughs out loud particularly when tickled and rocked playfully.

Questions

1 As Jasmine moves into her sixth month, what foods would you expect her to be eating?

2 What stimulating activities would you provide?

3 Jasmine's health visitor has said that she has a pseudo squint. What is this?

Answers to part five questions: (13 September)

1 The iron that was stored during pregnancy is used up by six months of age and there is a need for the baby to receive iron within their diet. Four months is the average age babies are introduced to solids, initially being offered smooth, pureed foods, leading on to the introduction of a variety of tastes and textures that help the baby to enjoy full family meals by the end of the first year.

2 It is advised that babies avoid gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, oats and rye) until six months, as early introduction can trigger gluten intolerance (coeliac disease). Jasmine's grandmother is coeliac, so her mother will refrain from giving foods containing gluten for longer than average.

3 Toxocariasis and toxoplasmosis can be contracted from the faeces of dogs and cats, so stringent hand washing is needed to lessen the risk of cross-infection. A cat net is necessary if a cat is likely to be around a sleeping baby to avoid the risk of suffocation. A baby must be supervised when she starts to crawl, as items such as cat litter trays will be of great interest to her.

By Sandy Green, an early years consultant and freelance trainer. She is also Jasmine's grandmother