Baby Milestones

Your month-by-month companion

Newborn (Birth)

This month is about recovery, bonding, and establishing feeding. Everything else can wait.

Quick Reference

Sleep

16-17 hours

Feeding

On-demand, 1-3 oz (30-90 ml) per feeding

Naps

Many short naps (no schedule)

Wake Window

45-90 minutes

Talk to your doctor if baby...

•Does not respond to loud sounds
•Does not watch things as they move
•Does not bring hands toward face
•Seems very floppy or very stiff
•Does not feed well or is losing weight

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?

Look for 6+ wet diapers by day 5, steady weight gain, and 8-12 feedings per 24 hours for breastfed babies. Your baby should regain birth weight by 2 weeks. Talk to your doctor if fewer than 6 wet diapers or no weight gain.

Is this poop color normal?

Newborn poop changes from black sticky meconium to greenish-brown to yellow seedy or tan pasty by day 5 - this is completely normal. Talk to your doctor if you see white, red, or black (after day 3) poop.

When will the umbilical cord fall off?

The cord stump usually falls off within 1-3 weeks. Keep it dry and clean, and fold diapers below it. Call your doctor if you notice redness, swelling, pus, or bleeding.

Why won't my baby stop crying?

Newborns cry 2-3 hours per day on average - it's their only way to communicate hunger, tiredness, discomfort, or overstimulation. Try feeding, changing, swaddling, or gentle movement. Call your doctor if crying is inconsolable for hours or accompanied by fever.

Is breastfeeding supposed to hurt this much?

Brief tenderness in the first week is normal, but ongoing pain means your baby isn't latching correctly. A lactation consultant can help fix this - most insurance covers visits. Don't suffer through pain.

My baby lost weight - is that okay?

Losing 5-7% of birth weight in the first few days is normal as baby loses extra fluid. Your baby should regain birth weight by 10-14 days. Talk to your doctor if weight loss exceeds 10% or baby hasn't regained birth weight by 2 weeks.

How often should I bathe my baby?

Only 2-3 times per week until the umbilical cord falls off - too much bathing can dry out their skin. Use sponge baths until the cord is gone, then you can start gentle tub baths.

Should I wake my baby to feed?

In the first 2 weeks, wake your baby if it's been more than 3-4 hours since the last feeding to ensure adequate weight gain. After they regain birth weight, you can let them sleep longer stretches at night.

ExpectedWhat most babies do
  • •Turn head side to side when lying down
  • •Hands stay in fists most of the time
  • •Startle at loud sounds
  • •Focus on faces and objects 8-12 inches away
  • •Cry to communicate needs
  • •Calm when held or spoken to softly
VariesWhat some babies do
  • •Briefly lift head during tummy time
  • •Show hints of smiles during sleep
  • •Begin tracking moving objects with eyes

What's Next

Month 1 · Around 4-6 weeks, many babies begin developing a social smile. It is worth the wait.