Babies who were born prematurely may reach milestones later. In the first month of life, babies usually catch up and surpass their birthweight, then steadily continue to gain weight.
A weight loss up to about 10 percent of birthweight is normal in the first two to three days after birth. However, the baby should have gained this back and be at his or her birthweight by about two weeks. While all babies may grow at a different rate, the following indicates the average for boys and girls up to 1 month of age:.
The length of the pregnancy is important. Babies born around their due date or later tend to be larger than those born earlier. Other factors include:. Although a newborn spends about 16 hours a day sleeping, the time a baby is awake can be busy. As the nervous system begins to mature, these reflexes give way to purposeful behaviors. Babinski reflex. With the Babinski reflex, when the sole of the foot is firmly stroked, the big toe bends back toward the top of the foot and the other toes fan out.
This is a normal reflex until the child is about 2 years old. Step reflex. This reflex is also called the walking or dance reflex because a baby appears to take steps or dance when held upright with his or her feet touching a solid surface. Newborn babies not only have unique reflexes, but also have a number of physical characteristics and behaviors that include the following:. Other times, the cause of the crying can be a mystery , and the crying stops as quickly as it begins. You may also use warmth and rocking movements to comfort your baby.
Newborns should get hours of sleep over a hour period, says the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to hours a day. Though newborns spend most of a hour period sleeping, it is best that they do not sleep for longer than 5 hours at a time in the first weeks because they need to wake every couple hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed often, about every hours.
Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every hours. Expect to wake your newborn every hours to eat until they surpass their birth weight, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. Each baby has a different sleep pattern. Here are some baby development milestones you can expect your child to hit during month 1. Welcome to your new life as a parent! As your body recovers and your newborn settles into a routine, you will start to feel human again.
In the meantime, try to put your aches, pains, fatigue and worries aside and enjoy this wonderful time with your new baby. Gaze into her eyes, stroke her soft skin, smell her sweet scent and know that life will never be the same again — for good reason. Anesthesia and blood loss can leave you feeling weak the first few days, and your incision may continue to feel sore and sensitive for at least four to six weeks.
Cover it with a light dressing, wear loose clothing, and take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or Aleve if the pain lingers just check with your doctor first. What other changes to your body can you expect this month? Be prepared with a warm washcloth to encourage milk flow, a comfortable bra and cold packs or heating pads that you can apply to your breasts as needed to help manage the pain and discomfort after nursing. Contractions called after-pains that help the uterus shrink back to normal size also kick in after childbirth.
So make your health a priority too. Finally, practice bottle- or breastfeeding positions to minimize back pain; you might even want to treat yourself to a massage from your partner if you have one or a professional.
Your emotions will be put through the ringer too this month, thanks to fluctuating hormones and scant sleep — and you might feel weepy, overwhelmed, irritable and anxious as a result. These feelings are normal and usually go away within a few weeks after birth. You can also take our online PPD screening test and bring up the results to your practitioner. Every couple feels like a pair of walking zombies during their first month at home with baby and often for much longer than that.
Both of you are going through an emotional time, so share as much of the experience and work as possible. In the meantime, give each other a massage, go on a walk, or have a quiet meal together, and show your love and appreciation through cuddling, hugging, kissing and kind words. Even the newest newbie can bond with the most special person in their world — you.
Choose a time when your baby isn't hungry, tired or sporting a wet diaper, and stop if she keeps turning her head away newborns can easily get overstimulated. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Baby Month 1: Your Newborn Guide. Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals.
It's a girl! It's a boy! Or maybe it's even both, if you've had twins. Your newborn baby has arrived, and your life has forever changed. Infant development begins at birth. Consider major infant development milestones from birth to 3 months — and know what to do when something's not right. A lot happens during your baby's first three months.
Most babies reach certain milestones at similar ages, but infant development isn't an exact science. Expect your baby to grow and develop at his or her own pace. As you get to know your baby, consider these general infant development milestones. At first, caring for your baby might feel like an endless cycle of feeding, diapering and soothing.
But soon, signs of your baby's growth and development will emerge. Your relationship with your child is the foundation of his or her healthy development. Trust your ability to meet your baby's needs. You can:.
Your baby might reach some developmental milestones ahead of schedule and lag behind on others. This is normal. It's a good idea to be aware of the warning signs of developmental delay, however.
Consult your baby's doctor if you're concerned about your baby's development or you notice any of these red flags by age 3 months:. Remember that every baby is unique — but your instincts are important, too. The earlier a problem is detected, the earlier it can be treated.
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