Your baby, 0 months 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 and older

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Caring for an infant can be scary and overwhelming at times, but you and your baby will get to know each other in no time. Becoming a parent is a big change and can take some time to adjust to. Make sure that you accept help from friends and family in the early weeks.

Newborn babies move between six states throughout the day. Your baby could be in deep sleep, light sleep, a drowsy state, awake alert, fussy alert, or crying stage. It is important to recognize these stages so that you can adapt to your babies needs and develop a better understanding of what soothes him the best.

Babies like to look at human faces the most. They can not see very far and can not distinguish colors very well. Besides the human face, babies like brightly colored patterns, mirrors and objects that are red, black or white. Babies will stare at things but can not grab ahold of anything quite yet. It is comforting for your baby when you hold her close, rock her and speak gently to her. It is important to handle your baby carefully and always support their underdeveloped neck.

You may be tempted to put your baby to bed with you, but this is dangerous. Babies should sleep on their backs in their own crib. Young babies can begin to develop some type of a schedule. All stuffed animals, bedding and pillows should be removed to reduce the risk of suffocation. You can put your baby on her belly for tummy time several times a day. This will help to develop muscle strength.

When traveling, always use a properly installed infant restraint seat. To ensure the safety of your baby, have their carseat checked by a licensed car seat installer. Because car accidents reduce the quality of a car seat, never buy used car seats and replace yours if it is in an accident.

Babies cry for lots of reasons. When a baby is crying, that his means of communication. He is experiencing a need that is not being met. Babies cry because they are hungry, wet, tired, hot/cold, experiencing pain, overstimulated, and many other reasons. Soon you will be able to decode your babies cries. Sometimes babies can not be comforted and it seems that the crying will never end. When you have tried everything and nothing seems to work, put her in her crub and close the door. Come back in a few minutes to check on her. Whatever you do, don't take any frustration out on your baby.

Your newborn will be ready to eat every two to three hours on average. Formula fed babies may go longer in between feedings. Remember to burp your baby after each feeding to reduce gas and fussiness. Breast feeding can be trying for the first few weeks. It takes patience, support and dedication, but you can do it. If you are encountering problems, ask for help. Call your doctor, the baby's doctor or a lactation consultant.

Developmental Milestones Newborn


Physical

• It may look as if your newborn baby is scrunched up with his arms and legs not fully extended. Your baby is used to being inside the womb, and this is normal. If he appears bowlegged, don't worry. It's part of the stretching-out process and will most likely fase away by the time he's five or six months old.
• Your baby may lift his head briefly when he's lying on his stomach by the end of this month. Give your baby plenty of tummy time to help him develop his muscles. He may also be able to turn it from side to side. Jerky movements give way to more smooth ones as his nervous system and muscle control mature. Your baby's primitive reflexes, such as sucking and chewing on his hands, remain dominant.
• Baby's vision is still fuzzy and he can not see very far. Your baby likes to look at your face. Keep it close by and talk to him when you are holding him.

Intellectual

• Right now food is the most important thing in your newborn's life. Sleep comes in at a close second. Most newborn babies will feed every two to three hours around the clock. Sleeping patterns are equally intermittent. Most newborns sleep for a total of 16 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period, but that's usually broken up into eight to ten naps. By the end of the month your baby may have developed something of a feeding and sleeping pattern, but you may not notice any real pattern for months. It is hard to put a newborn on a strict schedule. Sleeping helps your baby regain energy and it also helps brain development.
• Right now your baby doesn't have much of a personality. Crying is the only way that your baby knows how to express himself. He spends his time moving in and out of several different states of sleepiness, quiet alertness, and active alertness.
• Your face is the most interesting thing to your baby right now. He also likes high-contast objects. Show him black and white toys at playtime.
• Learning begins immediately, so take all opportunities to teach him about the world around him. Use his quiet and alert times to play and talk with your baby.
• Your baby can recognize faces and may try to imitate gestures. Give your baby the chance to imitate you. Stick your tongue out and give him a chance to repeat it. Then, do it again. Even if he does not do it, he is watching you!
• Mobiles with high contrast patterns and picture books with strong line drawings will capture your baby's attention. When your baby starts fussing, its time to stop and move on to something else.
• Babies like their own reflection. Place unbreakable mirrors at cribside or on the floor for them to focus on.

Emotional

• This month your baby becomes quiet and calm when you speak to him gently and hold him upright. He may even make an 'ah' sound when he hears your voice and sees your face. Most babies love to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. Touch is an important means of communicating with your baby.
• Your baby can show you their feelings. She may yawn, arch her back, turn her face, fuss or cry if she is overstimulated. She will coo if she is enjoying something. Pay close attention to what your baby is `telling` you.

Age Appropriate Toys:

• Rattles
• Play gyms
• Unbreakable mirrors
• Mobiles
• Soft toys
• Musical toys
• Toys with lights
• Swings
• Bouncy seats

Comments:

Comments 1-25 of about 8630 for month 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next

ilovemyprincesses - 12 minutes ago
junebaby- that happened to mine at 4 days old, i was freaking out because my first born's fell off at 8 days. luckily she had a doctor's appt. the next day and he tugged on it and said to just clean it twice a day with alcohol swabs.

mommy2four - 8.4 hours ago
Junebaby ~ I know! I was so tempted too. I just don't know how sensitive that area is and didn't want to risk hurting her or causing some sort of problem. I was just so surprised to see it hanging. I have a 2 yr. old and I think hers took 3-4 weeks to fall off. It was awful!

mommy2four - 8.4 hours ago
Tory ~ I am sorry that Bentley's dad did that to you. TURTLES????? I wouldn't be happy either. I hope he does grow up - especially now that he is a father. Does he want to be involved in Bentley's life? I don't know your situation, but I remember some discussion several months ago about him. Have things improved? I hope things work out for the best for you and your son.

junebaby2009 - 9.7 hours ago
mommy2four, thanks...I wont take it off, it's so tempting though...looks like it will come off tomorrow on it's own.

terise - 11.5 hours ago
Hi ladies I'm so happy to finally be able to come and chat on the baby side of things:) I havnt had much time (you all know how it goes) But will definately be here a little more in a few days. Just trying to establish my milk supply and get My little Layla feeding as much as possible. She's so sleepy right now and its hard to get her to have a full feed.

RJean - 13.1 hours ago
oh, and rwphal I'm sure everything will be okay. I had my son circ'ed (the doctor just cut off the skin) and the gauze the doctor applied stuck to the wound and tore it open pretty badly. They had to apply some special surgical stuff, I freaked out b/c I thought that I had ruined my little guy. It's been almost three weeks and he's doing just fine, but it did take about two weeks. Don't worry, I'm sure that everything will turn out just fine.

RJean - 13.2 hours ago
My LO has been sleeping all day, only waking up to eat every two to three hours. His temp is normal. Does this sound like a growth spurt or am I doomed to have a sleepless night tonight?

pedram68 - 13.6 hours ago
rwphal ! i had my son plastibell c and nothing happen to him but DR tolled me if it does happen they will try the onthere way to cute the thing off and u have to put vaseline every time u cheng his diaper there nothing to worry about this things happen to babys good luck!

rwphal - 13.8 hours ago
I'm so frustrated I just want to cry. We took the baby in a few days ago to have him circumcised and they used the plastibell. I was really nervous about it and thought that it looked swollen but dh said I was being paranoid. Today I finally took him in and they said that it is swollen afterall and put him on antibiotics. The dr. said that if the swelling increases or doesn't improve by tomorrow that I need to bring him to a clinic (since the office will be closed for the 4th) and they will end up taking it off prematurely. I am so upset. My ds has had such a rough entry into this world and he can't get a break for anything. I feel personally responsible and am wishing that I had never had him circ'd to begin with! Has anyone else ever had a bad experience with the plastibell? Is this going to ruin my little boy's manhood??

pedram68 - 15.2 hours ago
WyattsMom2be! i can say 2 or 3 OZ every feeding try thet and after she is one mouth old is about 4 5 oz

kel - 15.2 hours ago
I feed for 15 to 20 min on both sides. After I finish him on one side I will change him to the other sdie and pump from the one I just nursed. Then when he's done on the last side I pump the remainder out. I usually get 3 to 4 onces out of one side after a feed and 2 onces out of the other side afetr a feed. Dawson usually eats every 1 to 2 hours depending.

RJean - 15.4 hours ago
lucijas77, according to my lactation consultant, other foods that are good for increasing supply are oatmeal, malt (wendy's frosties or whoppers), and A&W rootbeer.

lucijas77 - 15.5 hours ago
wyattsmom-i am a ftm myself so i can't give any professional advice, but i pump most of the time,because my dd is not latching well on my flat nipples. usually i try to breastfeed herwhile using my contact nipple shield and my other breast starts to leak milk, so i also pump that side while i nurse her. she usually nurses lon 30-40 min but is still hungry, so i at the end finish pumping both for anothe3-5 min. ( i don't pump the other side the whole 40 min, i take breaks). so after this 40 min nursing i get about 1.5 oz extra from pumping and usually i feed her with it rightaway, because when she nurses, she falls asleep alot.theni pump in about 3 hrs again, if she sleeps, i just doublepump rightaway both boobs and when she wakes up, i still put her on the breast just for her comfort and i like to have the close contact, but since she does not nurse well, i pump again after nursing or during as i described, pretty much this goes on the whole day. if i have to drive, i pump while driving 1 breast st a time, about 5 min and then switch to other side and back. i have low supply so i get about 1.5 oz in 30 min if i am lucky.i noticed if i pump more often than 3 hrs, i have no milk in boobs and it is just hurting me. hope this helps

torybailey - 16 hours ago
Sorry if this is TMI...but I had my son about 10 days ago and now starting to get shooting pains in my butt :( I know I was sore from pushing but not sure what this pain is! Could it just be from pushing so much?

torybailey - 16.3 hours ago
mommy2four- Im a single mom and the dad was here today with a friend and I went to nurse my son and he left with out saying bye...him and his friend went to hunt turtles....he just needs to grow up....

WyattsMom2be - 16.8 hours ago
I have a question, I am breastfeeding but i bought a pump today so that when im out in public or in the car or whatever it will be easier. anyway my question is how much am i supposed to pump for him and do i pump the breast hes not nursing on? i just really do not know how this is supposed to work or how much hes supposed to eat. i need help. oh and my son is 9 days old

mommy2four - 17.1 hours ago
Tory ~ What's wrong? Baby blues are normal. I have had them with all of my babies. Is something specific bothering you?

mommy2four - 17.1 hours ago
Junebaby ~ I wouldn't pull the stump off. That seems like it could hurt. My baby is 10 days today. On day 8, I noticed hers hanging by a thread also. I gently cleaned around it with alcohol and left it alone. About an hour or so later, I was holding her and was changing her position and it just fell out of her onsie onto the floor. I would just wait, it will probably fall off any time. (If it hasn't already.)

lucijas77 - 17.9 hours ago
my nipples are flat, could not do without the shield,i also pump a lot, yet my supply is low . I went in a store today and bought yeast, fenugreek pills and mother's milk tea,i am hoping something works, because i rarely manage to pump over 2 oz and she wants more

teacherpam - 18.7 hours ago
After being awake for about 5 hours, Zoe slept for 5 hours yesterday. Now we're pretty much on a normal schedule again, so maybe it was just a growth spurt! She also had latching problems and we were using the nipple shield. We're now off of it now that she learned how to feed correctly. I'm keeping the shield though, just in case I get sore nipples!

insomnia - 19.4 hours ago
Hi everyone, I had my son a 6.5 days ago, and I just wanted to sing praises to the makers of nipple shields. We had latching problems, and I was scared I'd have to pump in order to feed him, so these things have become my life-saver :D

torybailey - 19.6 hours ago
im so frusterated i hope its not the baby blues :( by son is 10 days old!

shoshie00 - 20.1 hours ago
Anyone else up all night with a baby who may be gassy? I was up all night with my little guy who will, G-d willing be 4 weeks tomorrow. He seems in so much discomfort, I have tried all things including Mylecon drops...I am waiting for his Dr. to call me back! We will see what she says...I hope he is ok

junebaby2009 - 20.7 hours ago
My sons belly button stump is hanging by a thread can I pull it off?

leahleahmom - 22.6 hours ago
pedram68-thats what we did to my l.o when she was a newborn,its hard to heard them cry but its works alot,it wont hurt the baby but its good for dr lungs.when my lo 3 weeks she starts to knew the diffrence between night and day.

More comments: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next Latest comments from all months More months: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 and older