silly question about determing baby's age?

Question

okay, here's a silly question about determining exactly how old my baby is. we went to the pedi for her 4 month shots on friday, may 25th. i was asking how accurate the percentiles are for height and weight since she's actually 18 weeks (4 1/2 months). they told me that they don't determine the age that way, they go from the date they were born...say the 16th, to the 16th of the next month. she was born on january 16th, so to me, she's exactly 19 weeks today.

the reason i'm asking is because they told me not to start cereal and solids until closer to 6 months, which according to them would be july 16th, but according to me, would be july 3rd. i know it's not much of a difference but i'm just wondering how other moms determine their baby's age. it makes me wonder how those books on baby development determine ages too.

Answer 1

Look at when she was born and count from there.

Listen to your doctor and wait until July 16th--you want to err on caution and listen to your doctor. Chances are you just couldn't get into the doctor's until she was 4.5 months old.

ALWAYS go by her birthdate, not her weight.

Answer 2

You need to realize that raising a baby will never be exactly as is says in those books. My daughter would wake up every 2 hours crying and hungry. I would feed her 2 oz. like the books said. She would still be hungry. She was eating 6 oz. every 2 to 3 hours. So my mom told us to add cereal to the formula (my wife could not breast feed) One 6 oz. bottle and she slept all night - at 3 months. Or was it 2 months and 29 days? I don't remember.She was eating baby cereal at 4 months, and she is very healthy today at 1 year. ( 1 year 1 month 8 days and 8 hours). Just try to be flexible, your baby is your world, the nurses and doctors understand that. They also knew each and every baby is a different person just as you and they are different.

Answer 3

you are so used to going by weeks from pregnancy that you can't get out of it!
the baby books go by months from the date of birth to the following month's date.

so, if baby was born january 10th, then from jan10-feb10 would be the baby's first month of development.
feb 10-mar10 would be month 2.

stop counting in weeks.
if we did that, then our birthdates would be all weird.

if baby was born january 10th, then baby would be 6 months on july10th.
period.

now, as for starting cereals and baby foods.
follow what your pediatrician says and just b/c baby is 6 months on a certain date doesn't mean that she is ready. she may have been ready the month before.

like, walking...babies usually start walking by a year. some walk at 9 months, some don't start walking until they are well past 1 year.

stop watching the calendar and start watching baby!
is she watching you eat with a look like, "i want some!"
if so, then try some rice cereal mixed with formula or breastmilk.
i started my son on cereal and baby foods at 4 months.

now, he's at the age to start solids, but he's taking a little longer than other babies to get the hang of it. no big deal. it's his pace.

take care:)

Answer 4

Wait until six months. Rushing foods will not make your child healthier and could lead to a food allergy. On the other hand two weeks REALLY doesn't matter in the long run. You are the parent. If you are dying to introduce foods (and I am guessing this is your first baby) a little bit a couple weeks early won't hurt. Just remember until 12 months breast milk or formula is where they get most nutrition. Good luck with that baby!

Answer 5

follow the doctors. she may be 19 weeks but they see it at 4 months they dont count weeks they count months. shes 6 months old actually on july 16 because that is exactly 6 months since she was born the weeks are always off after birth

Answer 6

I use the doctor's method. I go by the month from the birthdate.

Answer 7

I have always gone by weeks, but that's an interesting question.