Have you heard of the Wonder Weeks?
Have you ever wondered why DEVELOPMENT creates UNSETTLED INFANTS??
This is something that used to bug me - the way we just sort of say "oh its just a developmental leap" as if that explains the whole situation. Well, it sort of does. They are developing, yes, but they are developing sensations! They are becoming aware of what is going on in their bodies, and this can be unsettling, as there can be big changes coming through.
But it may also be a reflection of them experiencing something unpleasant. In the Wonder Weeks book, the Wonder Week 5 is explained as a period where "they [babies] are undergoing enormous changes that affect their senses, metabolism and internal organs".
So they might be feeling something out of the ordinary!
If you have a bub going through an unsettled phase, just be aware that while most cases of unsettled babies ease, some cases may have something else going on. If you are concerned - have a chat to your health care professional!
REFERENCES
1. De Rijt-Plooij HHCV, Plooij FX. Infantile regressions: Disorganization and the onset of transition periods. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 1992;10(3):129-149. doi:10.1080/02646839208403946
2. Schore AN. All our sons: The Developmental Neurobiology and Neuroendocrinology of boys at risk. Infant Ment Health J. 2017;38(1):15-52. doi:10.1002/imhj.
3. Dehghan F, Haerian BS, Muniandy S, Yusof A, Dragoo JL, Salleh N. The effect of relaxin on the musculoskeletal system. Scand J Med Sci Sport. 2014;24(4):e220. doi:10.1111/sms.12149
4. Barrouillet P. Theories of cognitive development: From Piaget to today. Dev Rev. 2015;38:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2015.07.004
5. The Ten Leaps - What are the 10 Mental Leaps? - The Wonder Weeks. [ Ссылка ]. Accessed December 8, 2020.
6. Fussy periods and wonder weeks | Australian Breastfeeding Association. [ Ссылка ]. Accessed December 8, 2020.
7. The Wonder Weeks and Child Development - A Fact Check | Fatherly. [ Ссылка ]. Accessed December 8, 2020.
