Newborn Baby: The First 4 Weeks

Welcome to motherhood and parenthood! Along with the joy and excitement a newborn brings, you might be feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, too — and we're here to help! We’ll take a look at your baby’s development milestones from birth to 1 month; discuss how often and how long your baby may feed and sleep this month; and review important information about your newborn baby’s health. Your baby’s healthcare provider is the expert on healthy development, but we’ll touch on some of the highlights and provide some useful tips. Let's dive right in to this first month, which covers your baby’s weeks one, two, three, and four!

Development Milestones

In weeks one to four after your baby’s birth, he’s getting used to life outside the womb. You may be amazed by all the growth and changes you're seeing! Here are some highlights:

Growth and Physical Development: It’s Normal for a Newborn to Look a Little “Odd”

In the first few days after birth babies can lose a little weight — this is mostly excess body fluid. Most babies will regain the weight quickly, so that by day 10, they’re back to their birth weight. Your healthcare provider will track your baby's growth carefully, measuring his length, weight, and head circumference (the distance around the head) at each checkup. Over time, your provider will use these measurements to gauge trends in your baby's rate of growth. Read more about how your provider uses baby growth charts.

You’ll be spending lots of time looking at your new baby, and although you’ll love every inch of him, you might find he looks a little “funny” at first. He’s just entered the world, and his body is still adjusting. These are some of the unusual physical features you might notice in the first few weeks:

• Fine hair called lanugo may cover his body for a few days or weeks it is shed.

• His skin may peel a little.

• Reddened areas of skin called salmon patches or “stork bites” may appear on his face or neck; these will likely disappear within a few months.

• Your baby’s genitals may be swollen, but will return to normal soon.

• Two soft spots, called the fontanelles, can be felt at the top of your baby’s head. Although a thick membrane protects the brain, this is where the skull bones are still fusing together.

• If your baby was born vaginally, he may have an elongated skull. This happens because the plates of the skull adjust to allow an easier passage through the birth canal. Your baby’s head will return to a more normal shape soon enough.

• Your baby may spend a fair bit of time curled up in a tight little bundle — just as he was in the womb. Toward the end of this first month, he’ll start to stretch and unfold from this preferred fetal position.

Senses: Your Baby Loves to Be Held by You

For your newborn, one of the most important senses is touch, and he’ll sense your mood by the way he’s being touched. Being held and carried by you provides security and comfort. Be sure to always support your baby's head and neck, so that his head doesn't flop from side to side or front to back. Gently rocking him may help quiet and calm him, and massaging your little one may help you bond.

Typically, babies can only see about 8 to 12 inches away, but this means your baby can see your face as you hold him. His own hands will also interest him as they pass by in front of him. At this stage, he can tell light from dark, but he can't see the full range of colors.

Newborn babies typically prefer to hear high-pitched sounds and “baby talk.” As you talk to him, he’ll probably turn his head to face you.

Movement: Your Baby’s Instincts Are as Strong as His Grip

In the first few weeks, your baby’s movements may seem very jerky, but in the coming months, they’ll slowly become more controlled. Here are some of the common reflexes newborns have at birth:

• Rooting. Your baby will turn his head toward your finger in response to his cheek or mouth being stroked.

• Sucking. Your baby can instinctively suck, but coordinating sucking, breathing, and swallowing requires quite a bit of skill, so it may take a short while for your baby to get the hang of it when nursing.

• Moro reflex. If your baby is startled by a noise, or his head shifts position suddenly, he may react by extending his arms and legs suddenly and then bringing them close together.

• Strong grip. If you touch your baby’s palm, he will grip your finger. Don’t support him using this hold, as your baby has no control over this grip and may let go suddenly.

• Stepping. When holding your baby in a standing position with the soles of his feet touching a surface, you may notice him do a stepping motion.

Personality: You’ll Never Forget That First Real Smile

At the start of this month, you might see your baby smile in his sleep. Experts aren’t quite sure why reflexive smiles happen, but it could be because your baby is responding to an internal impulse. Toward the end of this month or in the second month, you will start to see the real deal. This is when he smiles when he is awake in response to something like your face as you smile at him or the sound of your voice. Over time, he will learn that smiling is a way for him to communicate.

Newborns cry to communicate things like hunger or discomfort, or to release tension. If your baby is crying but doesn’t need feeding, burping, or diaper changing, he may just need a little attention. Try comforting him by cuddling him or soothing him with your voice, as these might just work to settle him. In some cases, persistent crying could indicate a problem, so if you're worried consult your baby’s healthcare provider to check that everything is OK.

Even in these first few days and weeks you may get early hints about his personality. Does he cry about a wet diaper, or seem perfectly content? Is he easily startled, or does he take things in stride? If you have older children, you may even start noticing differences in your baby's and his older siblings' temperaments at this early stage.

How to Support Your Baby’s Development

Your baby’s pediatrician will be able to give you lots of personalized advice, but these are some things you can try:

• Skin-to-skin contact. This is when your naked baby is placed against your uncovered chest. It’s good to practice this “kangaroo care” from right after your baby is born and during his first few months. The benefits of skin-to-skin contact include improved bonding between you and your baby, and helping to regulate his breathing and heart rate.

• Tummy time. Put your baby on his tummy on the floor for a short time each day to help strengthen his neck and shoulders, as you closely supervise. Read more about tummy time.

• Tracking practice. As your baby’s vision develops, he’ll slowly become better at following moving objects with his eyes. To help him practice, try moving an object — like a rattle — slowly in front of him.

Feeding Your Newborn Baby: How Much Does a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-Week-Old Baby Eat?

The good news is that you won’t need to set a rigid feeding schedule. Instead, watch for your baby’s hunger signals to get to know what’s normal for him. This month, your baby may show hunger by rooting (see the reflexes above), lip smacking, or sucking on his fist. Crying can also be a sign of hunger, but it’s better to feed your baby before he gets to this stage, rather than waiting until he’s really upset. You'll likely feed your baby at least eight times in each 24-hour period, both during the day and night. During growth spurts — which occur at different times for different babies, but often at the end of week two and between week three and six — your baby may be hungrier than usual. When he’s full, he may look tired or fall asleep. If you’re breastfeeding and are concerned about your milk supply, or whether your baby is latching or nursing properly, ask your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant for help. You can also check out this go-to breastfeeding guide we’ve created just for you!

Does Your Baby Need Dietary Supplements?

Regardless of whether your baby is breastfed, formula-fed, or a combination of both, you may want to speak to your baby's healthcare provider about whether you should supplement your baby’s nutrition. For example, vitamin D and iron supplements may be advised until your baby turns 12 months old.

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Tracking Wet and Dirty Diapers

It’s natural to wonder whether your baby is getting enough to eat. One way to check is to keep track of diaper changes — how many you change, and how they look. In the first few days, don’t be surprised if your baby’s poops are thick and dark green or black — these are your baby’s normal first bowel movements, made up of meconium. After this meconium has passed, his stools will switch to a yellow-green color, and become softer and runnier. Each baby is different, but you can probably expect at least six wet diapers and at least three or four poopy diapers a day.

Other signs your baby is eating enough include if you can hear your baby swallow, and if he seems content for a few hours after nursing. Over a longer period of time, your baby’s healthcare provider will help check your baby is getting enough nourishment by monitoring his growth.

Although those first few diaper changes can be challenging, you’ll soon be a pro! In fact, you’ll be changing so many diapers you’ll may feel you deserve a prize. Well, you do! Download the Pampers Rewards app and turn diapers and wipes into fun toys for your baby, lovely treats for you, or useful coupons to put toward your next Pampers purchase.

How Much Sleep Does a Newborn Baby Need?

In the first few weeks, your baby will likely sleep about 16 hours of each 24-hour period, in blocks of about three or four naps. Because your newborn’s stomach can only hold so much milk, you’ll need to wake him for feeds during the night if he doesn’t wake naturally. Although your baby doesn’t know the difference between day and night yet, start teaching him by keeping night-time feeds low-key. Don’t turn on bright lights, keep diaper changes brief, and instead of playing, put him right back to sleep on his back.

Safe Sleep

For the first year of your baby's life, always put your baby to sleep on his back in his crib. Also, keep the crib bare of clutter like loose sheets, blankets, bumper pads, pillows, and toys, and put the crib in your room. These crucial steps help reduce the risk of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, which is the unexplained death of a healthy baby in the first year of life. Read more about how to prevent SIDS and keep the ABCs of safe sleep in mind. Your baby should always sleep:

• ALONE

• on his BACK

• in a CRIB.

A Day in the Life of Your Baby

You might be wondering how to play with your little one at this early stage. Check out these short guide to newborn playtime for general playtime tips, tummy time tips, and games that help develop your baby’s senses of touch and sight.

Going Outside

Feel free to take your newborn outside in nice weather, making sure she is dressed appropriately. Your baby’s ability to regulate her body temperature hasn’t fully developed yet, so the general rule of thumb is to add one more layer of clothing for her than you are wearing. If it’s sunny, keep her in the shade, as her skin can get sunburned easily. If it’s very cold or rainy, it may be best to only head out for only a short time. Make sure your baby has a warm hat on, plus enough extra layers and blankets. To check if your baby’s comfortable, make sure her chest is warm, and that her hands and feet are a little cooler than the rest of her body.

Diaper Changing

One of the fixtures of your baby’s daily routine will be having her diaper changed. Make sure you have all the supplies you’ll need for the diaper change within reach before you begin. Keep one hand on your baby at all times and don’t leave your baby alone on the changing table, or on any surface that's higher than the floor, as she can easily wriggle and fall. To help prevent diaper rash, remove wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible. After removing the dirty diaper, clean the area by using a gentle wipe, and put on a fresh diaper. Read more about how to change your baby’s diaper, and you’ll soon get the hang of it.

How to Bathe a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-Week-Old Baby

To keep the umbilical cord stump dry, in the first few weeks, sponge bathe your baby. Keep doing this until the stump completely falls off. Once the cord area has healed, you can start to bathe your baby in a baby bathtub or the sink, but keep in mind that she may need bathing only three times a week for the first year, particularly if you clean the diaper area thoroughly at each diaper change. Here are some tips to help you navigate the first few times you bathe your weeks-old baby:

• Make sure the water feels warm but not hot to the touch on your wrist or elbow.

• Have all the supplies you’ll need on hand, so you don’t ever leave your baby unattended.

• Bathe your baby right after undressing her so she doesn’t catch a chill.

• Support her head and neck as you place her in the tub or sink and as you bathe her. Keep her head and most of her body well above the water level for safety.

• To wash your baby's face, use a soft cloth and mild baby soap, adding shampoo once or twice a week for her hair.

• If you have a boy, simply clean his genitals with soapy water as you would the rest of the diaper area. Your baby’s healthcare provider will tell you when the foreskin has separated properly, and from then on, the foreskin can be safely retracted and cleaned.

Read more about how to bathe your newborn, and you’ll have a handle on it soon enough!

Umbilical Cord Care

You’ll need to keep your baby’s umbilical cord stump clean and dry until it shrivels up and falls off, usually by the time she’s 3 weeks old. After the stump has fallen off, gently clean any raw spots with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. If you notice bleeding or signs of infection such as a smelly, yellowish discharge or red skin around the stump, contact your baby’s healthcare provider. Read more about caring for your baby’s umbilical cord for more detail on this important topic.

Your Baby’s Health: Is it OK for Loved Ones to Visit?

Here are some typical baby health conditions and common concerns at this stage:

• Is it safe to have visitors? It’s natural to want to have close family members and friends visit you and your baby in the first couple of days after his birth, but try to limit it to only a few people, and try to keep the visits low-key so you and your baby can rest and recover. During the rest of this first month, stick to a small number of visitors, and make sure they aren’t sick, as this will help prevent your baby from catching an infection. Ask all visitors to wash their hands before touching your little one.

• Jaundice. If your baby’s skin has a yellowish tinge, she may have jaundice, a condition in which the liver has not yet begun to remove a chemical called bilirubin from the blood. Your baby’s healthcare provider will diagnose and treat this condition.

• Fever. Most babies will get a fever at some stage, but sometimes it can be difficult to tell when a newborn baby has an elevated temperature. In the first 12 weeks, babies with a fever need urgent medical attention, so if your baby feels warm or is unusually cranky, take her temperature with a rectal thermometer. If her temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, seek medical help right away.

• How to care for a circumcised penis. The most important thing is to keep the area as clean as possible using mild, soapy water. Redness and a yellow secretion in the first week are probably normal, but if there is swelling, crusty sores, or a cloudy, fluid secretion, contact your baby’s healthcare provider.

Your Life as a Parent: An Emotional Rollercoaster!

After giving birth, you might feel a mixture of happiness, pain, and exhaustion. Your emotions may be heightened by stress and hormonal changes. You’re also getting used to some new routines: feeding, changing diapers, and putting your baby to sleep. Plus, you may be getting much less sleep now than you’re used to. Know that you’re not the first or last parent to feel overwhelmed at this time, and it can be natural to cry. However, if you feel severe feelings of sadness, emptiness, apathy, or despair, you may have postpartum depression. Let your healthcare provider know how you are feeling, because there is help available.

Physical recovery after giving birth — whether vaginally or via a cesarean section — takes time. Here are some of the physical effects to expect around this time:

• Bleeding. You’ll shed the blood and tissues that lined the uterus (this vaginal discharge is known as lochia). Initially the bleeding may be heavy, but it will lighten over the next few weeks. Contact your healthcare provider if you bleed through two pads in an hour, for two hours in a row.

• Uterine contractions. For about 10 days after giving birth, you may experience afterbirth pains as your uterus shrinks back to its normal size.

• Perineal pain. When you give birth vaginally, the skin between your vagina and anus — the area known as the perineum — stretches so that your baby’s head can fit through. Sometimes this skin tears and will either heal on its own or require stitches. To help ease the swelling and pain, you can apply cold packs to the area; you can also try sitting on a soft pillow.

• Stretched abdomen. In the days after you give birth, your tummy may still look pregnant, as the abdominal muscles don’t snap back right away. Give your body plenty of time to recover, and always ask your healthcare provider before starting to exercise.

• Constipation. It may be tricky to have a bowel movement in the first few days after giving birth. You might be afraid of the pain, or have sluggish bowels due to pain medication or simply because you didn’t eat during labour. Ask your healthcare provider for advice on what to do. Drinking more water and eating high-fiber foods might help.

• Feeling tired. This is probably no surprise given the huge job you’ve done both physically and emotionally. You’ll need some time for your energy levels to recover. In the meantime, ask for help with any household chores or tasks, limit visitors, and sleep when your baby sleeps.

Ask your healthcare provider about how to treat any bothersome symptoms and check out our article on healing after childbirth, especially if you've had a cesarean section, to learn more. Try to rest as much as possible and eat healthily. And, when your provider gives you the all-clear, add some gentle exercise to your daily routine.

Checklist for This Month

• Schedule your baby's 1-month checkup, and ask your healthcare provider’s office about any other checkups, physical exams, screening tests, or immunizations your baby needs this month. Experts recommend at least one doctor’s visit when your baby is between 2 and 4 weeks old to make sure she’s doing well.

• Write a list of any questions or concerns you have, and ask them at your next doctor’s visit.

• Stick important phone numbers on the fridge or save them in your phone. These should include your baby’s pediatrician, the poison information hotline, and the emergency medical services (ambulance) number (which is usually 911).

• Get a first aid kit for home, which can be useful for any minor scrapes.

• As your baby grows, you may be wondering which diapers are best for your little one, so take a look at our diapers and wipes designed just for newborns.

• As you look ahead to next month, check out our article dedicated to 1-month-olds.