Presented by Tiny Traveler

We’ve now experienced our second Wonder Week leap and had a conversation with a few moms about their experience. The conversation lead to some interesting observations, especially that our babies were often late or early to leaps and rarely on schedule.

Check out the poll results and new question this week below!

What is a Mental Leap in your Baby's Development?

Wonder Weeks might explain some behavioral regression

TL;DR: The Wonder Weeks, a renowned book and app for tracking a baby’s developmental phases, can be a helpful guide, but remember, not all babies follow its schedule precisely. Think of it as a tool, not a hard rule.

You've probably heard of The Wonder Weeks—it's a go-to for many parents trying to understand their baby's leaps in development. But here's the thing: while it's a fantastic resource, not all babies march to its beat. Some may seem to leap earlier or later than others. So, keep in mind, it's more of a guide than a fixed developmental schedule.

The idea behind The Wonder Weeks originated from Frans Plooij and Hetty van de Rijt, a Dutch couple, about 40 years ago. Plooij, a behavioral scientist, and Van de Rijt, an expert in educational psychology, observed how babies go through mental growth spurts, or "learning leaps," which help them grasp the world around them. These leaps can make babies a bit cranky and clingy because, let's face it, everything is pretty new and bewildering to them.

But what exactly are these leaps? Well, think of them as periods of rapid growth—cognitive, physical, and emotional. During these leaps, babies pick up new skills and understanding at lightning speed. You'll notice changes like increased curiosity, better motor skills, and more social interaction. And yes, sleep patterns and moods might go a bit haywire too. Knowing about these leaps can empower parents to support their baby's development with the right care and stimulation.

Now, brace yourselves—alongside these leaps often come behavioral regressions. It might feel like you're on a rollercoaster ride, but fear not! Tracking wonder weeks can give you a heads-up on what's to come. The Wonder Weeks app is handy for this. It calculates your baby's developmental leaps based on their gestational due date and breaks down each stage, giving you insights into what your baby might be going through.

Many parents swear by The Wonder Weeks for bringing some calm and confidence into the chaos of regression phases. We found that our baby appeared to be early to some leads and late to others. It still helped us anticipate when those leaps might hit and offers tips to navigate them with minimal meltdowns—for both you and your little one.

Last week we asked if parents are more interested in schedules or going with the flow, the results were almost 50/50 with a slight lead for schedules.

The Wonder Weeks App

Once you've inputted your child's due date, the app crafts a personalized leap chart, vividly showcasing developmental milestones. Color-coded in yellow and green, it indicates when your little one might be fussy or shining brightly as "the sunshine in the house."

But this app offers more. Track signals and skills, get insightful overviews, and playful prompts to enhance your baby's experience.

The Wonder Weeks app has been a game-changer for me as a parent. Understanding leaps and having this app as my guide has brought peace of mind. Once my husband and I grasped their impact, we started factoring the leap chart into our plans.

Knowing when my children's leaps will happen has helped me adjust expectations for holidays and events, deepening my connection with them. It empowers me as their mother to support them through their milestones.

Unlocking baby's leaps