Lucy had a pretty good checkup. She totally charmed the doctor and just chatted and kicked away, to the point that the doctor had a hard time hearing her heart beat! She said she’s not at all concerned about Lucy’s speech development. 🙂

My girl has definitely been growing. She weighs 12 pounds even, a 4-pound increase from her 2-month appointment; she is 24 inches long, up from 21 1/2 inches two months ago; and her head circumference is 16 inches, an increase from 15 inches. She’s in the 25th, 50th and 50th percentiles respectively.

The best news that came out of today’s appointment is that Lucy’s torticollis is no longer an issue. Lucy was able to turn her head 180 degrees, and the doctor said her flat spot is very minor. She told us we could cancel our appointment with the orthopedist at Children’s Healthcare in Atlanta, which is great!

We still need to work with Lucy on pushing her chest off the floor with her hands. She has the strength — she can hold her head up when we put her in a sitting position and she locks her neck in place when she’s pulled up by her arms — so now she just needs to realize she can do it. I think the torticollis is the main reason she’s still working in that area. Hopefully, she will improve quickly now that the torticollis has been cleared up.

Lucy also got her 4-month shots today. That didn’t go over so well. They were over rather quickly since two nurses did them, but she still cried and cried. It made this Momma pretty teary.

But, it was nothing a bottle couldn’t fix.

Her next checkup is at 6 months, which is likely when we’ll start introducing rice and oatmeal cereal, as well as other solid foods. Our doctor said she tells parents to wait until 6 months because the American Association of Pediatrics has said that the longer you wait to introduce solids the less chance there is that the baby will get food allergies. I was a little disappointed that we don’t get to start now, but I’m actually glad we’re waiting. I don’t think Lucy is ready for solids yet.

Here’s a list of outward signs that a baby is ready for solids (source: www.babycenter.com):

Looking at that list, I don’t think Lucy is ready. Her neck control is getting better and better every day, but she still needs a bit more practice sitting in her bumbo chair. Also, she’s discovered her tongue, so she pushes it out constantly. I don’t know if that would hinder her ability to eat solids. And, while she is now at 12 pounds, she hasn’t quite doubled her birth weight (6 lbs, 14 oz), but she’ll be there soon if she keeps eating the way she does!

I know a lot of people start their babies on solids at 4 months, but I think waiting is what’s best for Lucy. And, I’m not in any rush to move to the next step. It will happen when we’re ready.

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