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 101-125 of about 25295 for month 0
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laura (team surprise) - Friday, 1 Feb
No it's my third! And so far things are good, she has fitted right in! Is this your first?

Jen11 - Friday, 1 Feb
laura - how have you found the first 4 weeks? Is this your first baby? Sara is 3 weeks 2 days and my feet still have not touched the ground!

laura (team surprise) - Friday, 1 Feb
Emily was 4 weeks yesterday!

laura (team surprise) - Friday, 1 Feb
Jen I had so many problems adding Emily, have out her birth story as a blog still need to add it to her under children.

Jen11 - Thursday, 31 Jan
Finally managed to add Sara to my profile and write in my birth story!

laura (team surprise) - Wednesday, 30 Jan
Emily is gaining well and now 11lb 4oz! Mojo I would speak to the doctor Patiently waiting sorry you are having issues breastfeeding

wikkismomma - Wednesday, 30 Jan
Mojo-I would go to the doctor! Like Jen said, blood in the stool is never a good thing. It could be something as simple as an internal hemmoroid causing all of the bleeding, but go in! Better to be safe!

Jen11 - Tuesday, 29 Jan
mojo - blood in stool is not a good thing, I think you need to go to the doctor.

mojo07 - Tuesday, 29 Jan
Hi ladies. I had my baby 2 weeks ago and my bowel movements haven't been the same since birth, very loose sometimes blood, and very painful gas in stomach, this morning I woke up and can't stand up straight my stomach hurts so much it's in my lower back to, full of painful gas. What can I do?? Or should I just giv in and go to the doctors?

patiently waiting - Tuesday, 29 Jan
This is my third baby and surprisingly the only one ive had issues breastfeeding. She doesn't latch well and in turn gets nowhere near enough. She Was born 7.2 and got down to 6.4! Now im pumping and supplementing and she is back up to 7.7.....sadly my milk production cant keep up with her. I am frustrated anf honestly devastated. I never even considered id have feeding issues and didnt even realize how important breastfeeding was to me until i being faced with this.

Jen11 - Tuesday, 29 Jan
Laura - Sara also gets weighed today!

laura (team surprise) - Monday, 28 Jan
Emily gets weighed today I am really nervous!

sarah6485 - Monday, 28 Jan
Jen11 thank you for your kind words :) babykake my bella chomped sometimes real hurt id detach her then reattach her. yeh I'm upset breastfeeding didn't go well but on a good note she is the most content baby ever so good. I love her to bits can't imagine life without her Im loving Every minute with her. As she is my last baby I'm sooo making the most of it as they grow to fast so I just want to enjoy everyday with her. She makes me smile every time I look at her. :)

babykake *~team pink~* - Monday, 28 Jan
Mine too Jen I'm now pumping so I can give them a break between feeds, I've noticed she wants boob when she is sleepy for comfort and chomps on it instead of suckling so I think that's why I'm so sore

Jen11 - Monday, 28 Jan
Babykake - I hear ya...I hardly have time to care for myself these days, lol. I'm also demand feeding and this baby is a hungry little miss. My poor nipples are sooo sore most of the time!

Jen11 - Monday, 28 Jan
Sarah - I'm sorry to hear that you've had such a rough time with breastfeeding. You did amazingly well to keep going for 9 days with such pain! Don't feel that you let your baby down, she got the milk she needed at the most vital stage, and will probably do extremely well on the formula. You deserve a medal for perseverance.

justgirls3 - Sunday, 27 Jan
yay finally after her being in the world 20 days my milk has stopped coming in. the pain is gone!!!

babykake *~team pink~* - Sunday, 27 Jan
Hi ladies long time no speak! Life is one blur of feeds, nappies,crying and tantrums at the minute, I'm demand breastfeeding and wow this kid can eat! I've lost almost all my weight only 2lb or so to be my pre pregnancy weight so I'm happy, willow is gaining weight amazingly her weights have been 7lb8(birth) 7lb4(day3) 7lb7(day6) 7lb13(day10) I'm so happy she is doing well, I hope you are all ok and that all the babies are too x

sarah6485 - Sunday, 27 Jan
My boobs got real bad very painfull in end I tried my milk and a very expensive cream yet it killed to put her on then started getting sharp pains in my left boob and chills so thought mastitis. I kept pumping and feeding through it but it just got worse so I've gone to formula milk but I'm so gutted I was determined to get though the first pains of feeding but it's got to much now can't say I didn't try done 9 days at least so she got some good milk to start with. I got advice off my midwife she even checked I was feeding her properly , at one point my boobs went to settle then they just flared up bad and my nipple was killing me I think mastitis started at that stage not had that pain breast feeding before :( now I have strapped my boobs up tight and taking painkillers and hoping they return to normal soon. But feel abit of a let down to my baby :(

Jen11 - Sunday, 27 Jan
Sarah - the midwife gave me some great advice for the cracked nipples...instead of using creams, express a few drops of breastmilk at the end of a feed and rub it into the nipple, it has wonderful healing properties.

sarah6485 - Friday, 25 Jan
Hi guys nice to see some pregnancy buddies in here I have dropped over a full stone in weight after a week :) pretty much nearly looking pre pregnancy I think the breast feeding helps suck you back. Mommal07 yes I mixed feeds until milk came in but bella did prefer my milk. She was weighed yesterday and only lost a tiny 40 grams so she is feeding well :). My nipples have taken a battering but I'm fighting through the cracks and sores using a nipple ream to help heal them. Can't believe my bella is 1 week old today love her to bits

wikkismomma - Friday, 25 Jan
Oh yeah...a funny question for you ladies. Does anyone else's babies inchworm over to get closer to you? Maija was laying on the other side of my pillow this morning while I was awake and by the time I got out of bed, she was totally snuggled up next to me. Same with right now as I type. She was laying on my pillow and rolled over to where she was touching me and is now falling asleep. Silly girl. :)

wikkismomma - Friday, 25 Jan
Hi ladies! Just thought I'd give an update on Maija. Turns out she was allergic to her thrush medicine. She also has a very sensitive tummy, so we switched her formula over to the sensitive tummy kind. That seems to be helping a little. She has been going on 3 hour streches at night! Much better than the every 2 hours. I forgot how much difference an hour can make in your sleep! My boss called me today wondering how soon I could come back to work. I just laughed and asked her if she was serious! I reminded her that I just had a baby 2 weeks ago! Ugh. So not looking forward to going back to work. Only 4 more weeks :( There going to fly by!

abbieandbensmummy - Friday, 25 Jan
Just checking in. Life is busy busy with three kiddies. Molly Rose's spots on her face gave spread onto her chest and back :( she has antibiotic cream for it. Hope it clears quick. She's also got a really stuffy nose which isn't helping her sleep. Such a wee dote though, looking forward to first smiles etc :)

laura (team surprise) - Thursday, 24 Jan
I am 15lb less that what I weighed when I fell pregnant

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