Your Newborn Baby's Development and Milestones
Welcome to parenthood! This first month with your newborn will be full of joy, excitement, and undoubtedly some exhaustion. It’s completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed, but we’re here to offer support. In this guide, we’ll explore the key milestones in your newborn’s development during their first 4 weeks, covering how often they may feed, how much sleep they need, and essential tips for their health. While your little one’s GP or midwife is your go-to for any concerns, we’ll provide helpful insights to guide you through this exciting time. Here’s what you can expect as your 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-week-old baby grows.
Newborn Baby (1-, 2-, 3- and 4-Week-Old) Development Milestones
In the first four weeks after your baby is born, they are adjusting to life outside the uterus. You might be amazed by the rapid growth and changes you're already seeing in your 1-week-old baby and in the weeks that follow. Here are some of the highlights you might notice as your baby grows through the first month.
Growth and Physical Development: Why A Newborn May Look a Little Different
In the first few days after birth, it’s normal for your newborn to lose a little weight, mostly due to excess body fluid. Most babies will regain this weight quickly, and by about day 10, they are usually back to their birth weight. Your GP will track your baby’s growth by regularly measuring their length, weight and head circumference during checkups. These measurements help monitor your baby’s rate of growth over time. For more on how your GP uses baby growth charts, check out this resource on tracking your baby’s growth.
You’ll spend a lot of time gazing at your new baby and while you’ll fall in love with every inch of them, you might notice some physical features that seem a little unusual at first. Your baby is still adjusting to life outside the uterus, so it’s completely normal to spot these differences in their appearance during the first few weeks:
Your newborn’s skin may look dry or even peel a little. It’s best to avoid using creams or lotions during this stage to prevent skin irritation.
You might notice reddish areas on your baby’s face or neck known as ‘salmon patches’ or ‘stork marks.’ These marks usually fade within a few months.
Dark red, slightly raised marks called ‘strawberry marks’ may appear shortly after birth and could get larger before gradually fading over time.
It’s common for your newborn’s breasts and genitals to be swollen. This swelling should resolve within a few weeks.
You may feel two soft spots, called the fontanelles, on top of your baby’s head. These spots are where the skull bones are still fusing, but a thick membrane provides protection.
Many babies develop mild jaundice after a few days, causing their skin and the whites of their eyes to take on a yellowish tint. This is usually due to a build-up of bilirubin and typically clears up within 10 days. If your baby shows signs of jaundice, it’s important to consult your GP or health visitor. If jaundice appears within the first 24 hours after birth, it should be checked immediately by your GP or midwife.
Senses: Your Baby Loves to Be Held by You
One of the most important senses for your newborn is touch, and they can even sense your mood through the way you hold and touch them. Skin-to-skin contact is incredibly valuable for both the parent and baby, helping to strengthen the bond and provide comfort.
Holding and carrying your 1,2,3 or 4-week-old baby gives them a sense of security. Always support their head and neck so it doesn’t flop from side to side or front to back. Gently rocking your baby can help soothe and calm them, and baby massages may also be a wonderful way for you both to bond.
You might be wondering: Can newborn babies see? Normally, a newborn baby can only see very little, but this means your baby can see your face as you hold them close. Their own hands will also interest them as they pass by in front of them. By the time your newborn is around 2 weeks old, you might notice them following your face or colourful objects that are around 20 cm away.
As your baby grows, they will begin to turn towards sounds they hear. If your baby makes a sound, try mimicking it back to them while ensuring they can see your face. These early ‘conversations’ are a great way to bond. Babies respond well to both high-pitched and soft voices, so enjoy these exchanges as they help stimulate their growing senses.
Movement: Your Baby’s Instincts Are as Strong as Their Grip
In the first few weeks, your 1-week-old newborn may have movements that seem jerky or uncoordinated, but over the coming months, these will gradually become more controlled. Here are some of the common reflexes your baby may have at birth:
Rooting. When you gently stroke your baby’s cheek or mouth, they will turn their head toward your finger in search of food. This is an instinctive reflex that helps with feeding.
Sucking: Newborns can instinctively suck, but coordinating sucking and breathing is a skill that takes a bit of practice. Over the first few days, your baby will improve at this, especially when nursing.
Moro reflex. If your baby is startled by a sudden noise or shift in the position of their head, they may react by extending their arms and legs before quickly pulling them close again.
Strong grip. When you touch your baby’s palm, they will instinctively grip your finger tightly. However, be careful not to rely on this grip to support them, as your baby has no control over it and may let go suddenly.
Stepping. When you hold your newborn in a standing position with the soles of their feet touching a surface, you might notice them make a stepping or walking motion.
Personality: You’ll Never Forget That First Real Smile
By the end of the first month, you may catch the first glimpse of your baby’s real smile, which is an early sign of their developing personality and interaction skills. These smiles often respond to familiar voices or faces. Babies also start to express themselves through different cries, coos and small gestures during this time.
Baby Growth Chart Calculator
Keep an eye on your baby’s height, weight, and head circumference to average growth with our simple tool.
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*Input details of your baby’s last measurements **Source: World Health Organization
Activities for Supporting Your 0-1 Month Baby Development
Your newborn’s GP will be able to give you personalised advice, but here are some activities you can try at home to support your baby’s development:
Skin-to-skin contact. As mentioned above, placing your baby on your chest (also known as ‘kangaroo care’) strengthens bonding and helps regulate their breathing and heart rate.
Tummy time. Laying your baby on their tummy for a few minutes daily strengthens neck and shoulder muscles. Always supervise closely.
Tracking practice. Help your baby practice tracking by moving a toy or rattle slowly in front of them. This is a great activity if you're wondering what to do with a 2-week-old baby when they’re awake.
Feeding Your Newborn: How Much Does a 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-Week-Old Baby Eat?
The good news is that you don’t need to follow a strict newborn feeding schedule. Instead, watch for hunger cues like rooting (as mentioned above), lip-smacking or sucking on their fist. Crying can also signal hunger, but it’s best to feed your baby before they get too upset.
In the first few weeks, your baby may feed about eight times or more every 24 hours. During the first days, your newborn feeding might happen every hour, but soon they will space out feeds with longer breaks in between. You’ll likely be feeding your baby both day and night.
Signs that your baby is full include looking sleepy or falling asleep during or after a feed. Growth spurts, often around the end of week two and between weeks three and six, might make your baby hungrier than usual.
If you’re breastfeeding and are concerned about your milk supply, or whether your baby is latching or nursing properly, ask your GP or midwife for help. You can also check out this go-to breastfeeding guide we’ve created just for you!
Does Your Newborn Baby Need Dietary Supplements?
Whether your baby is breastfed, formula-fed, or a combination of both, it’s a good idea to consult your baby’s GP about potential dietary supplements. In some cases, vitamin D and iron supplements may be recommended until your baby reaches 12 months.
Tracking Wet and Dirty Nappies
Wondering if your baby is getting enough food? Tracking nappy changes can be a helpful way to monitor their newborn feeding amount.
In the first few days, don’t be surprised if your newborn 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, the stools will switch to a yellow colour, and become softer and runnier. Each baby is different, but you can probably expect at least six wet nappies and at least two poopy nappies a day.
If your baby hasn’t had a poopy nappy in 24 hours, it may be a sign of constipation. Bottle feeding a newborn increases the chances of constipation, so if you’re concerned, hold your baby’s legs as though you're about to change the nappy. If they appear to be straining and there’s no bowel movement, consult your GP or health visitor for advice.
Other signs your baby is eating enough include hearing them swallow during feeds and seeing contentment after eating. Over time, your GP will track your baby’s growth to ensure they’re receiving enough nourishment. Although those first few nappy changes can be tricky, you’ll quickly get the hang of it!
How Much Sleep Does a Newborn Baby Need?
In the first few weeks, your newborn may sleep around 16 hours a day, broken up into three or four naps. If you’re wondering how long should a newborn sleep at a time, it’s typically in shorter blocks since their stomach can only hold small amounts of milk. You may need to wake your baby for feeds during the night if they don’t wake on their own.
Although your newborn doesn’t yet recognise day from night, you can start teaching them by keeping nighttime feeds calm. Avoid bright lights, keep nappy changes brief, and put your baby back to sleep on their back right after. During active sleep, your newborn may move, grunt or make sounds, which is all perfectly normal at this stage.
Safe Sleep
For the first year, always put your baby to sleep on their back in a cot. Keep the cot free of clutter like loose sheets, blankets, bumper pads, pillows and toys, and place the cot in your room. It’s also important to ensure your baby isn’t too hot or cold – keep the room at around 18°C at night. These steps help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), an unexplained death of a healthy baby in the first year of life.
Read more about how to reduce the risk of SIDS and remember the ABCs of safe sleep. Your baby should always sleep:
ALONE
on their BACK
in a COT
A Day in the Life of Your Baby
Although routines with a newborn can vary, here’s an example of a flexible daily routine that includes newborn activities such as feeding, sleeping and play:
Going Outside
Fresh air and a change of scenery can be great for you and your baby. After the first few weeks, as long as your baby is healthy and dressed appropriately for the weather, it's safe to take them outside for short walks. Make sure your little one is protected from the sun with light layers and a hat, even on cloudy days. If you’re unsure, consult your GP or health visitor before heading out.
Nappy Changes
Changing your little one’s nappy will become a regular part of their daily routine. Before you begin, make sure all the supplies you need are within reach. Always keep one hand on your baby and never leave them unattended on a changing table or any elevated surface, as they can easily wriggle and fall.
To help prevent nappy rash, change wet or soiled nappies as soon as possible. After removing the dirty nappy, gently clean the area with cotton wool and warm water, or with alcohol- and fragrance-free baby wipes. Then, put on a fresh nappy. You can learn more about how to change a nappy – soon, you’ll be a pro!
How to Bathe a 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-Week-Old Baby
Until the umbilical cord stump dries out and falls off a 1 or 2-week-old baby, it’s best to keep that area dry. During this time, you can give your baby a gentle clean by ‘topping and tailing’, using damp cotton wool to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom without fully submerging them in water.
Once the cord area has healed, you can start giving your baby a bath in a baby bathtub or the sink. If you’re wondering how often to bathe a newborn, bathing about three times a week is usually enough for the first year. However, some babies may enjoy a daily bath. Generally, as long as you’re thoroughly cleaning the nappy area at each change, fewer baths are fine.
Here are some tips to help with how to bathe a newborn during their first few weeks:
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 them to avoid them getting cold, and make sure the room is warm.
Support your baby’s head and neck as you gently place them in the tub or sink, keeping most of their body above water for safety.
To clean your baby’s face, use soft, damp cotton wool. For the first month, plain water is best without using any cleansers.
If your newborn baby is circumcised, your GP can give you directions on cleaning and protecting the area until it heals.
After bathing, gently pat your baby dry carefully paying attention to any folds in their skin.
Read more about how to bathe your newborn and you’ll have a handle on it soon enough!
Umbilical Cord Care
Caring for your baby’s umbilical cord stump is simple but important. Keep it clean and dry until it naturally shrivels up and falls off, usually by the time your baby is around two weeks old. You can learn more about caring for the cord stump here.
It’s important to let the cord stump drop off naturally without trying to speed the process by, for example, tugging at it. If you notice bleeding or signs of infection such as a smelly, yellowish discharge or red skin around the stump, contact your little one’s GP.
Your Baby’s Health
Here are some general baby health conditions and common concerns at this stage:
Is it safe to have visitors? It's common to want family and friends to meet your baby, but during the first month, it's wise to limit visitors. Ensure visitors are healthy, and ask them to wash their hands before holding or touching your baby to reduce the risk of infection.
Jaundice. If your baby’s skin has a yellowish tinge, they may have jaundice, a condition that develops when the liver isn't mature enough to remove a yellowish pigment called bilirubin from the blood. Your baby’s healthcare provider will diagnose and treat this condition.
Fever. A normal temperature for a baby is about 36.4°C. A fever is considered 38°C or higher. If your baby is under 12 weeks and has a fever, seek urgent medical attention.
Caring for a circumcised penis. Keep the area clean with mild soap and water. Redness and a yellow secretion are normal in the first week. However, if there is swelling or unusual discharge, consult your GP.
Development Tips for Your Baby’s First Month
Here are a few tips that can help strengthen the bond between you and your little one in these early days and weeks:
Interact with your baby often. Talk, smile, sing and play with your baby as much as possible. Listening to music and reading to them daily can help stimulate their senses and support early language development.
Provide positive, responsive care. Nurturing your baby and responding to their needs helps them feel safe and loved. Research shows that responsive caregiving is essential for healthy brain development and emotional bonding.
Create a village of support by involving friends and family members when you need the extra help. It’s hard to raise a child, especially if you’re a single parent. You may like to find a parent support group in your community.
Items You Will Need This Month
Whether you’ve already purchased some of the following baby gear or have received them as gifts at your baby shower, you’ll be using them for the first time this month:
Car seat. You’ll need one right away to transport your baby home from the hospital and for every car trip after that. Make sure to choose a car seat that complies with UK safety standards and is suitable for newborns. For more tips on keeping your baby safe in the car, check out this guide on car seat safety for your little one.
Cradle or Moses Basket. This item can be skipped if you're planning to use a cot right away, but some parents like to start with a cradle or Moses basket before graduating to a cot.
Cot, cot mattress and fitted sheets. Your baby will need a safe cot to sleep in, with a firm, flat, tight-fitting cot mattress, and a tight-fitted sheet to go on top.
Pushchair or pram. You may not utilise your pushchair immediately, but it's handy to have one ready to go with a newborn insert for that first opportunity when you take your baby outside.
Nursing or rocking chair. This is a nursery must-have for those late-night feedings and moments when you need to soothe your baby.
Swaddle blankets or sleeping bags. Many babies sleep more soundly when they're snuggled up like a bug. You can learn how to swaddle your baby using a blanket or a sleeping sack to keep them warm and comfy as they snooze.
Baby carrier or sling. Carrying your baby is a great way to keep them close by when they’re newborns and also helps promote bonding.
Changing bag. No matter where you go, you’ll need a nappy bag to transport all of your baby’s things, including nappies, wipes and an extra change of clothes, among other necessities.
Changing mat. You’ll want a soft pad on which to change your baby, and one that’s easy to pack and travel with is even better.
Nappy bin. This is one item you won’t want to skimp on. A nappy bin provides a convenient place to toss dirty nappies and helps control odours, too.
Nappies, wipes and nappy cream. You’ll be going through a lot of nappies in these first weeks and months, so it’s a great idea to stock up on all the supplies in advance.
Breast pump and nursing bras (if you’re breastfeeding). These are items you’ll want for yourself, just to make breastfeeding a little easier.
Bottle warmer, baby bottles and teats. Along with a supply of bottles and nipples, some parents like the ease of having a bottle warmer.
Burp cloths. Just to keep things as mess-free as possible, have a stack of burp cloths at the ready.
FAQS AT A GLANCE
According to experts, newborns typically do not need vitamin supplements except for daily vitamin D drops (but only if the baby is not already getting this vitamin in their formula). Consult your baby’s GP for advice.
Your Life as a Parent: An Emotional Rollercoaster!
After giving birth, it’s normal to feel a mix of happiness, exhaustion and pain as your body recovers and you adjust to your new routine with your baby. Your emotions may be heightened by stress and hormonal changes.
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 postnatal depression. Please reach out to your midwife or GP for support. Help is available, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
Physical recovery after giving birth — whether vaginally or via a caesarean section — takes time. Your GP will help you if you’re concerned about any of your symptoms. Here are some of the physical effects to expect as you heal after childbirth:
Bleeding. You’ll shed the blood and tissues that lined the uterus (this vaginal discharge is known as lochia). Tampons should be avoided; instead, use pads. If you notice large blood clots or have concerns about the amount of bleeding, contact your midwife or GP.
Perineal pain. If you had a vaginal birth, the perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) may be sore, especially if it tore or you had an episiotomy. Using cold packs and sitting on a soft pillow can help ease discomfort. If you’ve had stitches, follow your midwife or GP's advice on care and pain management.
Stretched abdomen. After giving birth, it’s normal for your abdomen to take time to shrink back. Always consult your GP before starting any postnatal exercise routine.
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 midwife or GP for advice on what to do. Drinking more water and eating high-fibre 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.
Checklist for This Month
Your Baby’s ‘Red Book’. Shortly before or after your baby is born, your GP or midwife will give you a personal child health record, commonly referred to as the ‘red book’. Keep this book safe and bring it with you to all GP and baby clinic visits for your baby’s health and development reviews.
Immunisation Schedule. Familiarise yourself with your baby’s immunisation schedule. Your GP will guide you on what vaccinations are needed and when. Stay organised by marking these dates in your calendar.
Prepare Questions. Write a list of any questions or concerns you have to keep on hand for your next health visit.
Emergency Contacts. Keep important phone numbers easily accessible, such as your baby’s GP, health visitor and emergency contacts like the NHS 111 line and Poison Information.
First Aid Kit. Ensure you have a well-stocked first aid kit at home for minor injuries or health concerns.
Stay Informed. If you feel rested and ready, check our informational articles dedicated to newborn babies.
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Bottom Line
In your baby’s first month, you’ll witness exciting milestones, from their first smiles to their growing curiosity. Cherish these moments while taking care of yourself too. For additional support and exclusive discounts on baby essentials, download the Pampers Club app.
How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
