
During the second month of life, your baby may be settling into a routine. You have both had time to recover from the birth and are getting to know each other well. You might still feel overwhelmed and stressed at times, and that is normal.
Your baby's movements are becoming smoother and less jerky. Although he can hold his head up briefly, he still needs your support. While on her tummy, your baby can probably hold her head up slightly. Continue to lay her on her belly for tummy time throughout the day. Babies like to look at different patterns, colors and textures as their eyesight is improving. Because your baby may be rolling over in one direction, it is imperative that you do not ever leave your little one unattended. Even if she has not rolled over yet, one day she will surprise you!
You will be rewarded for all of your dedication this month with smiles of appreciation. Your baby is beginning to smile socially and likes when you smile back at him. Your baby likes to see you excited and the more you interact with him, the more fun he will be for you. Praise your baby for learning a new skill and show him he makes you proud! Some babies begin to coo-make the same sounds back to him. Play cooing games with your baby to help him develop language skills.
Babies have a strong desire to suck and sometimes feeding does not meet their need. Encourage your baby to suck on a fist, hand or pacifier to learn to soothe themselves. Many babies suck on their thumbs or hands before they are even born. Often times, babies enjoy sucking on pacifiers. Be careful not to overuse them and never tie them aorund the baby's neck.
While crying is totally normal, some babies will develop colic. Colic occurs when a baby continuously cries and can not be comforted. Continue to comfort your baby the best you can and ask for suggestions from the doctor. Medication may be necessary. Accept help from others and take the time for yourself that you deserve and need. While it can be challenging and tiresome, colic usually settles down around 3-4 months. Babies need caregivers to be patient, gentle and attentive.
Babies hands have unclenched and will remain open most of the time now. Encourage your baby to reach for objects and grasp ahold of them. Let your baby experience different sizes, colors and textures to optimize learning.
Your baby will be getting his first series of shots at this time. It is very important that you have your child immunized against serious diseases. Not only is it important for your child's health, it is critical for the well-being of the community. Giving your baby tylenol before he receives his shots will decrease the pain. Vaccines do have some risks and side effects, but are much less severe than the actual disease.
Your baby may be going a bit longer in between feedings. Most breastfed babies can go about 3 hours in between each feeding and bottlefed babies are feeding closer to every 4 hours. You may have been told that if you add solids or cereal to baby's bottle, they will sleep better. This may be tempting, but it should not be done. Breastmilk or formula should be the only source of nutrition at this time. Babies at this age are still to young to start on solids.
Continue to play with your baby and teach her about the world around her. Set her on your lap facing outwards so that she can see more. Talk to your baby, sing to your baby and tell her all about what you are doing. Babies love to listen and this is how they learn. During playtime, sit her so that she is facing you. Stick your tongue out and see what she does. Babble back and forth. Make sure that you read to your baby. Babies do not necessarily care what you read to them, they just like hearing your voice and seeing the brightly colored pictures.
Developmental Milestones 1 Month Old
Physical- Your baby can hold her head up for short periods of time.
- Some babies can turn their heads from side to side while laying down.
- Babies will hold gazes for longer periods of time.
- Eyes can track objects
- Grasp-your baby is equipped with a reflex that will allow him to grasp ahold of your finger or another small object
Intellectual- Your baby is discovering that he has hands and feet. Hold her arms above his head and ask , `How big is baby?` You can also count his toes and play this little piggy.
- Your baby may gurgle, coo, grunt and hum to show her feelings. Coo and gurgle back and talk to her face to face.
- Some babies may squeal and laugh.
- Recognizes parents and will calm down when he hears the parents voices.
- Your baby listens to and enjoys music. Use her awake times to stimulate her sensory development. Sing to her and play music. Vary what your baby hears.
- Your baby will start sleeping for longer periods of time during the night and begin to stay awake more during the day.
Emotional- Your baby is soothed by sucking. Babies need to suck and a pacifier may work wonders in helping your baby calm herself now.
- Shows a preference for parents vs. strangers
- May smile when they see a parent or familiar face
Age Appropriate Toys:- Rattles
- Shakers and Chimes
- Music toys
- Shiny toys (foil works, too!)
- Unbreakable mirrors
- Mobiles
- Moving toys
Comments:Comments 1-25 of about 22545 for month 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Nextukchick -
1.1 hours ago
That's brilliant! (wow, 12lb 3, I'm wincing just thinking about it!!) mine had only put on 1lb 3oz by 4 weeks, that's super milk!!! rls- I♥mythreebabies -
2.2 hours ago
Well we had a head start as he was 12lbs 3 when he was born, still a 3lb increase in 4 weeks is really good. I'm chuffed because with my third I got a milk imbalance by now and was worried it would happen again - obviously not :-)ukchick -
3.8 hours ago
Wow rls, that's amazing!! The last time I had Amelia weighed was 2 weeks ago and she was 7lb 13oz... Getting her weighed again tomorrow. You must be producing some GOOD breast milk!! :)rls- I♥mythreebabies -
4.3 hours ago
Sebastian's still a little porker, 15lbs 5oz now. AmyLynn82 -
5.3 hours ago
Cedarsmomplus1- have you tried baby saline nasal spray/drops? They work wonders on stuffy noses and they arent medicated. cedarsmomplus1 -
7.3 hours ago
i cant image not being able to bf in public.. my poor baby girl is sick all stufy and grumpy :(blueboy -
10 hours ago
Thanks rls, was hoping that it wouldn't be a problem!rls- I♥mythreebabies -
10.8 hours ago
My French penpal bf her three boys in public so I'm sure you'll be fine.blueboy -
10.9 hours ago
That's great rls! Does anyone know if you're allowed to breastfeed in public in France? We're taking the boys skiing in four weeks and am wondering whether I can feed him in cafes?? rls- I♥mythreebabies -
11.8 hours ago
Yippee I got a four hr stretch 10pm till 2am between feeds, then 3:30,5:30 and 7:30, but pleased for the long one!love4bb -
20.8 hours ago
So last night i ended up putting her on my boob for fed. she actually did ok, she slept two hrs. woke up again, she did that for the whole night which is ok i guess. at least she didnt wake up when i put her in bed. Today, this morning she stayed up from 9:30a - 12:30p.. slept for 2hrs.. n up again 2 - 5:30pm.. n she is still up as i type. trying to get her to nap before she overtires, n doesnt sleep tonight. oh man, this girl is all over the place with this day/night sleep.MILKYWAY -
Monday, 13 Feb
Argh - i have the world's worse cough...i just want to rip my chest out and give it a good wash! My son has his hip scan tomorrow morning, as the paediatrician found a click in his left leg during his first checkup. Hopefully it will be fine - he seems to kick both his legs alot.linzp1982 -
Monday, 13 Feb
I'm losing patience waiting for that first smile!! When?? Ha ha Englishmama(Rubes) -
Monday, 13 Feb
I really wanted to pump and store this time around but until they invent a pump that screws onto your tit, it's just not pheasable! I've effectively been a single mum (i was effectively with lilia too but it was easier with just the one lol). I don't have time to eat let alone pump. Lol. If I give formula (rarely), he can drink 6-8 oz even after a breastfeed. I could never pump that lol I ordered the time traveller's wife novel coz I want to get back into reading. I also bought the complete history of the world (retail price £75, I got it in a sale for £11). God bless the ebook, it's plunging the prices of paper books and I HATE ebooks so its win for me! ;-) Kristynh *PINK* -
Sunday, 12 Feb
Congratulations to all you new Mums. Just letting you all know there is a facebook site that has just been set up at the request of other IAP Mamas for babies just born. It is called IAP Bubba's 2012. All of you are more than welcome to join. Enjoy your new bubs. Only 16 weeks until i get to hold my one. :)
http://www.facebook.com/groups/386378278045488/blueboy -
Sunday, 12 Feb
Love Henry only seems to take around 3 1/2 oz from the bottle at a time but he does it fairly quickly & seems satisfied after so I guess he's happy with that. Good luck, let us know how you get ongoobs -
Sunday, 12 Feb
love..... i give jules around 4 1/2oz when i pump! he usually gets that at every night feed & most morning ones. if i pump for an hour at a time iu can get anywhere between 3-6oz in that time!!!! lol
love4bb -
Sunday, 12 Feb
haha.. so my bf found out Vday is Tuesday, he says to me 'MMm, I'm not getting u anything. But u can buy things for our daughter instead.' I think that's the best thing he could give me. I love shopping for my girl, there's so much to choose from. lol. So tonight i'm gonna bottle feed my baby to see if she will sleep longer. I think I'll give her 5oz of pump milk n see if thats a good amount to keep her asleep longer. n hopefully she will switch day/night soon.alliemomof3 -
Sunday, 12 Feb
Valentines Day... well, just finished helping my 6 and 8 year old make their valentines boxes for school. Had to help with the wrapping them in foil-- anyone else remember doing that when you were a kid : ) Then they decorated the boxes with other crafty things, it was fun. In terms of what my husband and I will do to celebrate Valentine's Day... well he is really thoughtful and always gets flowers and chocolate for both me and for each of our girls. I am a total slacker and have not planned a thing for him... Better get on that tomorrow lol.alliemomof3 -
Sunday, 12 Feb
Milkyway- I agree with you on wanting spring to start. I hope you feel better and that your lo does not get sick. We have been trying so hard to stay healthy but my 6 year old seems to constantly have a cold. Today she woke up again with runny nose, sneezing. A week ago I had a sinus infection and ear infection. Enough already! I am sure that getting up every few hours completely does away with any immunity! MILKYWAY -
Sunday, 12 Feb
rls - yes it is! It's funny though because on the leaflet for the gaviscon it says there are no known side effects of taking it, but surely constipation is one! rls- I♥mythreebabies -
Sunday, 12 Feb
Seb seems to have trouble pooing if he has too much gaviscon. It's a tricky balance - reflux or constipation tummy ache. MILKYWAY -
Sunday, 12 Feb
we had another crying episode last night :( I'm finding that a mix of colic drops and gaviscon and warm water keeps his tummy cramps away. I'm sure he has constipation aswell which is why I give him a few gulps of warm water in a bottle. My daughter was a straightforward text book baby. This little man has so many problems and cries alot...can't work him out! On top of everything I'm getting a cold and cough...everytime I cough he wakes up. I've been in bed all day with a fever - I just want the spring to start now!MILKYWAY -
Sunday, 12 Feb
alliemom - yes! My son squeals with laughter at least once a day in his sleep - he's only smiled once or twice at me whilst awake tough. I also can't wait for him to giggle properly!
Jun - hope everything works out x
bouch - that is terrible! How incompetent of your doctor. You don't carry on bleeding heavily a month after giving birth!! I really hope it comes away by itself and you don't need a d&c.
love4bb -
Sunday, 12 Feb
bouch -that's crazy how ur dr thinks is normal to be bleeding for so long plus the cramping! u should have gone to the ER if it was that bad then u wont have to go thru it for so long. I hope u let your dr know that she should have looked into it instead of putting u off. I hope you get better soon.