1 month baby’s growth and development 

After birth, a baby needs great care. They can’t communicate with you and are helpless, so you need to be careful about the baby and their needs. During this time, give them proper milk, ensure adequate sleep, and dedicate your time to the baby’s proper growth and development.

On this page, you will get the following:

• Physical development
• Emotional and social development
• Sleeping pattern
• Cognitive and sensory development
• Feeding
• How often should a 1-month-old baby be fed?
• How can I tell if they are getting enough food?
• When to start tummy time and how long?
• How to support your baby’s growth and development

Physical Development

Lifting Head and Neck

Your baby tries lifting their head and neck to make them stronger. When you keep the baby on their tummy, it gives them the opportunity to lift their head and neck. Always do this when the baby is awake and maintain their safety. You must stay with the baby when they are on their tummy.

Vision

Your baby’s vision is developing. Now, the baby tries to focus on a moving object that is 8 to 10 inches away from them. The baby sees your face and tries to recognize you. The baby also sees everything in black and white.

Movement

Babies can’t move from place to place, but now you may see them waving their arms, kicking their legs, or bringing their hands to their mouth.

Growth

You may notice your baby gains weight at the end of the first month and grows almost 2.5 to 4 cm. The weight may increase by 300 to 400 grams in the first month, but the baby’s weight increases by 700 to 900 grams per month.

Reflexes

If you are stroking the baby’s palm, you will notice the baby holding your finger tightly. This is called a grasp reflex. Similarly, the baby also develops rooting, Moro, and sucking reflexes.

Emotional and Social Development

Attachment and Bonding

You may be surprised to know that now your baby develops bonding with you, your voice, and those who provide comfort and spend time with them. Babies form a bond with you and familiar people who stay close to them. They begin to feel attachment from one month.

Listening to Voice

The baby hears the voice they were exposed to after birth. The baby’s listening skills develop over time. Babies like your voice and enjoy it when you try to soothe them. Hearing your voice helps the baby become calm and relaxed.

Eye Contact

Your baby’s eyes are still developing. They make eye contact with you when you hold them closely, even while feeding.

Early Communication

The baby can’t talk to you, but you can see they develop some expressions to communicate through crying, facial expressions, or cooing. A baby cries if they are hungry or feel discomfort.

Self-Soothing

The baby also develops emotionally and finds a way to self-soothe, such as sucking their fingers or using a pacifier.

Sleeping Pattern

During this period, your baby sleeps almost 16 to 18 hours a day. They wake up frequently and don’t yet understand day and night. They sleep 3-4 hours at a stretch and wake up. This schedule remains the same throughout the month, day and night.

Feeding

You need to feed your baby frequently, almost 8 to 12 times a day. The baby is so small that they can’t take much milk at a time, so you need to feed them often, whether it’s breast milk or formula milk.

Cognitive and Sensory Development

Recognition

At this stage, your baby may recognize your face, your voice, and your smell. They feel comfortable with you and familiar people.

Hearing

The baby’s hearing develops, and they enjoy your voice when you talk to them to soothe them. The baby becomes calm when they hear familiar sounds and may turn their head towards the sounds.

Touch

Through your touch, the baby feels secure and comfortable. Cuddling, skin-to-skin contact, and rocking help in the baby’s growth. These actions make the baby feel safe and calm.

Focus Ability

Now, your baby can focus on objects that are 8 to 12 inches away. This is the distance between your face and the baby when you hold them. The baby is interested in faces and enjoys familiar faces most of the time. The baby also focuses on your face when you feed them. Their focus ability increases with time.

Taste and Smell

The baby develops their sense of taste and smell. They can recognize the smell of their mother or caregiver and the scent of mother’s breast milk and formula milk. The baby can also differentiate between sweet and sour but prefers familiar milk tastes.

How Often Should a 1-Month-Old Baby Be Fed?

You need to feed your baby 10 to 12 times a day. The baby is so small that they can’t take much milk at a time, so you have to feed them frequently.

How Can I Tell If They Are Getting Enough Breast Milk or Formula Milk?

The following signs can confirm that the baby is getting enough breast milk or formula milk:

• If your baby has 6 or more wet diapers in a day.
• If the baby is calm and happy during feeding.
• If the baby’s urine is a pale yellow color.
• If the baby gains weight around 200 to 300 grams.
• If the baby has stool 3 times a day, and it is yellow in color. Breast milk-fed babies may stool more in a day than formula-fed babies.

When to Start Tummy Time and How Long?

You can start your baby’s tummy time immediately after birth to strengthen their neck, shoulders, and head. Give your baby tummy time when they are awake. Do this 2 or 3 times a day for 3 to 5 minutes each session.

How to Support Your Baby’s Growth and Development

• Keep your baby on their tummy for a few minutes.
• Cuddling, skin-to-skin contact, and feeding on demand help in the baby’s development.
• Talk to your baby to soothe them, which helps in developing attachment and bonding.
• Maintain eye contact to support your baby’s growth and development.
• Provide a safe place for your baby and keep them in a fresh and harmless environment.
• Respond to cues when the baby cries or tries to get your attention.
• Schedule regular health check-ups for your baby’s growth and development.
• Establish sleep habits; the baby must sleep around 14 to 18 hours a day. Sleeping is crucial for the baby’s growth and development.

For your baby’s growth and development, you need to dedicate much time to them. At this stage, you must be careful. Otherwise, your baby may suffer from several health issues. So stay with your baby as much as possible and take care of them.