4-Month-Old: Week 3

Even though you can't understand your baby, he is beginning to be able to understand you. That's why it's important to talk to him as you move through the day. Narrate what you're doing: "Here's your bottle." "Ready for your bath?" In a few months he will understand you perfectly when you say the word "bottle" or "bath." You don't have to be a nonstop chatterbox; babies appreciate quiet, too. All you need to do is converse with him like the little companion he is.

How your baby's growing

Even though crying is still your baby's strongest form of communication, he's also developing his sense of humor now. He may start to laugh at pleasant surprises such as your face appearing from underneath a blanket or a toy popping out of a box, provided it isn't too loud or startling.

Encourage your baby's laughs, giggles, and smiles with funny faces and lots of general silliness. Babies enjoy hearing a variety of sounds and you don't need special toys or instruments to provide them. Simply click your tongue, whistle, or make animal noises — your baby will love it!• Learn more fascinating facts about your 4-month-old's development.

Even though crying is still your baby's strongest form of communication, he's also developing his sense of humor now. He may start to laugh at pleasant surprises such as your face appearing from underneath a blanket or a toy popping out of a box, provided it isn't too loud or startling.Encourage your baby's laughs, giggles, and smiles with funny faces and lots of general silliness. Babies enjoy hearing a variety of sounds and you don't need special toys or instruments to provide them. Simply click your tongue, whistle, or make animal noises — your baby will love it!

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 4-month-old's development.

Your life: Pumping breast milk
Many working moms find that they're able to continue breastfeeding by pumping while on the job. Doing so helps maintain your milk supply and provides breast milk for bottle feedings. But getting the hang of it can also be difficult or stressful, especially at first. Some tips to make pumping at work easier:

Practice at home. You might even experiment with different types of equipment to see what makes you most comfortable. (Consider renting from a hospital-supply company before buying.) Some women prefer a fully automatic pump with a double-collection kit to save time, for example. Think, too, about how you will store the expressed milk.

Let your supervisor know your plans. Many workplaces set aside a special, private place for pumping, or you may need to arrange one.

Plan to pump at the same time and place at work every day. If possible, try for every three hours. Remember to keep well hydrated in between sessions.

Relax to improve letdown. This can be the hardest part. Some moms like to hold a baby photo or something that smells like their baby to get in the right mindset. Visualizing your baby feeding or humming a favorite lullaby in your head that you sing to your baby can also help.

3 questions about: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

What is RSV?
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, causes coldlike symptoms. It's not a dangerous virus in itself, but it may lead to ear infections, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, or later development of asthma or another respiratory problem. Almost every baby contracts it before age 2, but it can be especially dangerous for babies under 6 months old and premature infants, whose immune systems are less strong.

How can I tell if my baby has RSV?
Your baby may appear to have a mild cold, but then a few days later, his cough worsens and his breathing becomes labored. Signs that your baby may have a serious infection include flaring his nostrils, excessively expanding his rib cage, tightening his abdominal muscles, wheezing when breathing, quickened breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute), bluish lips or fingernails, and feeding problems.

What should I do if I think my baby has it?
Call your baby's doctor. Keep your baby well hydrated and away from smoke and fumes, which can make compromised breathing even more difficult. Try relieving his labored breathing with saline drops and a bulb syringe (to loosen and remove mucus), a cool-mist vaporizer, or some method of keeping his head elevated a little when he sleeps (such as a towel under his crib mattress, but not a pillow). Don't use any medications without your doctor's advice. Premature infants may be advised to have a series of shots that, like the flu shot, help protect against the virus.