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 201-225 of about 25295 for month 0
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GoatMom - Sunday, 13 Jan
KristinaA-- I agrees with the warming suggestions but also want to add in my opinion about space. Many babies hate the feeling of wide open spaces. We put boxes into our cribs, giving the baby Only a little more room than he needed. Worked wonders.

nesspop *team blue* - Sunday, 13 Jan
KristinaA Congratulations on your 3rd bub :) I found that with my 3 bubs waking once they was put down, if the cot /bassinet was warm (wheat bag/ hot water bottle) or on a warm fleece blanket it helped. I also found that as they got older they grew out of it. I have also fed on a flat baby pillow which is a fingernail thick, & then put the baby & pillow down together, that helped the most..

nesspop *team blue* - Sunday, 13 Jan
wikkismomma congratulations on Maija's arrival :) Sorry I cant help you regarding the thrush & the formula / bottle, I know it is possible for BF babies & the mother can get in on her nipples :(

nesspop *team blue* - Sunday, 13 Jan
queen, it was her whole labour, her DD1 was 4 hour labour, we were joking the other week about heading straight to the hospital cause bub might fall out, he was not far from it lol

KristinaA - Sunday, 13 Jan
Hi ladies. I just had my third baby last week, and we're having a little issue. Ever since her 2nd night of life, she does not sleep without being held. Every time I put her down, awake or asleep, she starts crying within a few minutes. I don't think you're supposed to let a newborn cry it out, what can I do to make her comfortable to sleep on her own? During the day, she is ok on a play mat independently for a while, but she really rejects being in a crib or pack and play. Thanks!

3loveofmylife - Sunday, 13 Jan
Queen-of-kings you need more sleep, and happy one month old Avani . my 3 year old also wakes up 1 to 2 times at night asking for milk but that's because he wan't eat his food during day. like you Verena i always say i'm going to sleep when Noah is sleeping but i end up doing other things lol. Noah still sleeps more during day time then night time and he goes to sleep around 11:00 pm at night.

3loveofmylife - Sunday, 13 Jan
Verena thanks i did the football position works best its a little less painful so i'm going to keep doing that till he stops biting me, and you know my 3 year old will be 4 in march 1st and he is the same way as you son. he starts screaming for no reason says no to everything and also gets angry, and he won't listen when i tel him to be quit cuz the baby is sleeping, but it all started when we brought Noah home so i think he is a little jealous cuz he will hug me and tell me he loves me when Noah is sleeping so i am hoping he will get better when baby is older. congrats wikkismomma i like that name

wikkismomma - Sunday, 13 Jan
Hello ladies! I haven't had the chance to post in here yet! I had my little girl, Maija (pronounced My-ja) on the 8th of January. So, I have a quick question. I have a 4 year old daughter as well, and I remember her getting thrush, but not at a super young age. I believe Maija has it, but she's only 5 days old. She's a formula fed girl, so I know it's possible, but it seems kinda crazy. She has her first check up tomorrow, so I'm gonna ask.

verena - Sunday, 13 Jan
And on a baby note, Sam is doing great, feeding every 4.5h at times, mostly every 3.5h. Getting better at night with going straight back to sleep after feeding which is helping loads. DH has gotten used to us now and sometimes doesn't hear us anymore when we get up in the night. I am lucky enough not having to be working, but even so I tell myself every morning that I will sleep when Sam does, but end up every day doing so many things, cleaning, washing, just stuff and I never get a break. Early night though, there's just no other way.

verena - Sunday, 13 Jan
3love, have you tied different positions? How are they working out for you? Ness, like the name 'football position!' it's perfect! Queen, I don't know how you do it with so little sleep, 1am is very late indeed.. Children need a routine and at least a time margin in which to go to sleep, but when one is on the move all the time, that becomes such a difficult task. here during the week, things are more or a less ok, although it's a fight every night to go to sleep, and also when we have guests, then he's all excited and will never go to bed. Which mostly ends in tears.. Then at weekends we often visit family or friends, which means irregular timetables and then the routine is all down the drain again. talking about ds1 (nearly four), is it normal to be sooooo defiant at this age? Saying 'no' looking me straight into the eyes, getting aggressive and screaming his head of as soon as it doesn't go his way, etc. we really haven't brought him up at all this way, and he is such a loving boy otherwise, but when he decides to get angry, that's just it and nothing I can do.. I hate to shout at him or smack his bottom, but I end up soo angry that I just can't let it go. Sorry for rant, but this constant fight is really getting to me.

laura (team surprise) - Sunday, 13 Jan
She only did 3 1/2 last night, then was up for 2!

abbieandbensmummy - Saturday, 12 Jan
Wow well done baby Emily :)

laura (team surprise) - Saturday, 12 Jan
I am ok with breastfeeding anywhere. Emily slept 5 1/2 hours uninterrupted last night! This is amazing my two boys never did that until they were over one!!

abbieandbensmummy - Saturday, 12 Jan
Wow seems some are having a tough time with the breastfeeding. Guess it can take a while to toughen up. Wee Molly Rose is doing great, she's a good wee feeder. Much more relaxed this time round. She started to cry in the supermarket so I just found a chair and sat and fed her. Would not have dreamed of doing that when I had my first child, I just barely left the house and if she did get hungry while I was out I would have gone home!

nesspop *team blue* - Friday, 11 Jan
carmanliz is it possible your daughter could be tongue tied? This could be why she can not latch properly.. In the first few weeks I alternate between the normal BF postion & football grip (held like a football with feet to the back)

3loveofmylife - Friday, 11 Jan
verena i have been using Lanolin after each feed. but it could be the positions so i'm going to try different positions hope it works. and i may try the finger thing i never though about that and if hubby dose that it will give me more time to do other things thanks. @laura lets hope all our nipples will heal soon cuz sometimes i think it's worst than those contraction when he first latchs on lol.

laura (team surprise) - Friday, 11 Jan
Emily has scabbed both my nipples, left has healed. Right is getting there. It still stings when she first goes on, especially at night!

carmanliz - Friday, 11 Jan
It could be my latch? idk though because it looks the same as when she is on my left nipple, and the left one is fine. She isn't just sucking to suck on it when it hurts though, it still hurts and she still rubs it raw w her gums when she's feeding bc I can hear her swallowing and she will pull away for a minute with milk all over her face haha.

verena - Friday, 11 Jan
carmanliz and 3love, if they start just nibbling because in need of a paci, try to give them your little finger. Sam just wants to suck on something sometimes without eating, so little finger helps (and hubby can do it too!). As soon as he starts biting my nipples, i won't let him continue, too painful and he's just not hungry anymore. I used lansinoh for a full 2.5 weeks after every feed, even if I wasn't sore, and I am much better off now than with DS1 where I didn't use it regularly. I don't need it now anymore. Have you tried changing positions of the lo's while feeding? have them sideways or even come from the front, not always horizontally to you? I found I wasn't positioning him correctly on my right breast, that's why it hurt so much more on that side. I have now corrected it (midwife showed me, I thought I was doing it right instinctively..), his cheek against my breast, shouldn't be able to see the corner of his mouth, like that I ensure that he latches on to a maximum part of the nipple, not only the tip. Don't know if that helps any of you..

3loveofmylife - Friday, 11 Jan
carmanliz omg i thought Noah was the only one doing it and i have that raw spot on both of my nipples. and they hurt soo bad i don't want to give up BF but if he keeps biting my nipple with his gums i don't think i can take it.and he doesn't like a pacifier so i'm his pacifier too lol.

carmanliz - Friday, 11 Jan
3 Love, my daughter does the same thing, I have a raw spot right on the tip of my right nipple from it too. Lasinoh doesn't help me at all bc my nips aren't peeling or cracking tho, I haven't used lasinoh but maybe 5 times in the past 3 weeks? I try to get her to take more flesh into her mouth so she cant gum my poor nip, but sometimes when she's done actually eating, she will just sit and suck on the nip, like it's a pacifier for her. Then theres times like last night/this morning at 5am, when she wouldnt latch for a good ten minutes, she'd try.. and then cry... and try.. and then cry.. because she wasnt sucking enough into her mouth to actually get milk out.. doesn't help she loves her paci, and then my fiance has to give her a bottle during the morning while I'm at work.. and then I have to get her to latch onto my breast too.. too many nipples for the poor girl.

nesspop *team blue* - Thursday, 10 Jan
for those of you who remember my neighbour & I were expecting 10 days apart. She finally had her baby this morning. 11 days over, now our boys are 5 weeks apart. She had an hour & a half delivery :/

3loveofmylife - Thursday, 10 Jan
Queen-of-kings it may be something your eating like cow's milk or some cheeses, but Noah is the same way and nothing is helping i have tried not eating some things like milk, beans, broccoli and cheese still nothing. i hope he gets better.

3loveofmylife - Thursday, 10 Jan
abbieandbensmummy it's a struggle sometimes like i don't have time to play with them like we used to, and i don't have much time to spend with them cuz i'm always taking care of Noah, but they are happy to have a baby in the house they try to help me out, and they want to hold him. but it will get better once Noah is a little older. i hope Molly Rose goes back to sleeping better at night .

abbieandbensmummy - Thursday, 10 Jan
That's interesting to know verena, Molly Rose gets quite windy at times and I wondered why since shes breastfeeding and doesn't seem to gulp air or anything. Queen~ I agree, love the awake times. I just stare into her eyes and talk to her. Can't wait til she can smile back :)

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