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On the grow: Month 1

The first few weeks of a baby's life bring a flurry of activity and change.

Congratulations on your new little one!

At long last, your baby has arrived. Now you're adjusting to life together—busy days, sleepless nights and all.

As you read this, maybe your baby sleeps. And maybe you dream of a nice long nap yourself. Ah, sleep…blissful sleep.

But your baby is on the grow. And that means frequent feedings, dozens of diaper changes and a flurry of other activities.

Even now, through the fog of fatigue, you can catch clear glimpses of your baby's personality. In the weeks and months to come, you'll learn even more as your baby grows and changes.

During these tender, early days, cherish the moments. Trust your instincts. And remember, it's OK to let others help out now and then.

A month of changes

Babies grow and develop at their own pace, so don't get too worried if your baby isn't doing some things as quickly as your friend's child or your older kids may have done. Still, here are a few of the changes you may see during the next few weeks.

Smoother motions. At first your newborn's arm and leg movements may be jerky. His or her chin may quiver and hands may tremble at times.

But as the nervous system matures and muscle control improves, movements may get smoother. Your baby may start to:

  • Make arm and leg motions that almost look like he or she is riding a bicycle.
  • Bring hands within range of his or her eyes and mouth.
  • Move head from side to side while lying on his or her stomach.
  • Curl and uncurl fingers.

Remember, newborns have weak neck muscles that are not yet strong enough to support their heads. Your baby may not be able to hold his or her head up until around 3 months. So when you hold your baby, be sure to support the head.

Focusing further. At birth, your baby could see to the sides but couldn't focus too well on things in the center of his or her visual field. That ability gradually develops over time.

During the next few weeks, your newborn will likely be able to focus on things around 12 inches away.

Black-and-white pictures or high-contrast patterns may capture your baby's interest. But chances are your smile takes the cake; babies tend to prefer human faces over other images.

Tuning in. Your baby will likely be sensitive to noise levels. A crowded room, for instance, may cause a crying spell. A soft rattle in a quiet room, on the other hand, may prompt your little listener to turn his or her head to locate the source of the sound.

Go ahead and coo—newborns like high-pitched voices, especially those that are talking "baby talk."

Cuddling up. Your baby's sense of touch may not be fully developed yet, but by the end of the first month, he or she may:

  • Prefer soft sensations to coarse ones.
  • Prefer calm, gentle touches to swift, abrupt handling.

Spending time holding, rocking and cuddling your baby sends a message of love. What's more, loving touch can help promote your baby's emotional development as well as general health and growth.

Development watch

During the second, third or fourth weeks, be sure to tell a doctor if your baby:

  • Sucks poorly and feeds slowly.
  • Doesn't blink when shown a bright light.
  • Doesn't focus and follow a nearby object moving side to side.
  • Rarely moves arms and legs; seems stiff.
  • Seems floppy, like a rag doll.
  • Doesn't respond to loud sounds.
  • Has a constant tremble in the lower jaw, even when he or she isn't crying or excited.

Keep in mind, no two babies follow the exact same path when it comes to development. There can be great variation from child to child. The most important thing is that children follow a typical pattern of development over time.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Reviewed 7/12/2023

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