You went through a nine month pregnancy. You have experienced a thrilling childbirth. This is your first child, and you are ready to go home from the maternity ward and start living together. A new mother needs to know how to care for a baby in the first month after giving birth and how development takes place in the first month of life.
The first month of a baby's life is magical and at the same time hectic. It is necessary in the first month of a newborn's life to learn how to feed, put to bed and understand his constant demands. And the beginning of a newborn's life is especially dense with them.
The first days of a newborn are pretty simple. All that really matters to him is to eat every few hours, sleep soundly and often, have a dry diaper and receive a lot of love. But for you, as a new parent, caring for a newborn baby can seem a lot more difficult. Therefore, focus only on the main points and basic needs of the child.
Baby development 1 month of life
Your newborn is doing a little more than eating, sleeping, crying. You will find your child's reactions to things like light, noise, and touch. You will see that the senses are working hard.
Vision in the first month of a child's life
Your little one sees things best at a distance of 20 - 25 cm. This is the ideal distance for gazing into the eyes of mom or dad.
Further, newborns see mostly blurred figures, because they are myopic.
Their eyes are especially sensitive to bright light, so babies are more likely to open their eyes in low light.
Don't worry if your child sometimes squints or rolls their eyes. This is normal until your child's vision improves and the muscles in their eyes strengthen.
Let your child see many attractive things. People's faces, contrasting patterns, bright colors, movements - this is what newborns like the most. Your child will be interested in black and white photographs or toys longer than objects or paintings with many similar colors.
The child should be able to follow the slow movements of a face or object.
What can a baby hear before 1 month old?
The child heard sounds in the womb. The mother's heartbeat, the murmur of her digestive system and even the sounds of her voice are part of the baby's world before birth.
When a baby is born, the sounds of the surrounding world sound loud and clear. A child may be startled by the unexpected barking of a nearby dog or calm down with the gentle hum of a hair dryer.
Notice how the newborn reacts to the voice. The voices of people, especially of parents, are the favorite "music" for the child. If the baby is crying in the cradle, see how quickly your approaching voice soothes him.
Taste and olfactory sensations of the newborn in the first month
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Babies taste and smell and will be attracted to sweet tastes rather than bitter ones. For example, a newborn will prefer to suck on a bottle of sweetened water, but will turn away or cry if given something bitter or sour to taste. Likewise, newborns will turn to the smells they prefer and turn away from the odors they don't like.
Research has shown that a mom's diet affects the taste of breast milk. These first flavors will help shape taste preferences later. For example, a child whose mother ate spicy food while feeding is more likely to favor spicy foods.
Tactile sensations
Touch is important for a newborn. With every touch, the newborn learns life and its surroundings.
In the womb, babies are kept warm and protected, but after birth, for the first time, they feel cold, hot, tight seams.
Make sure the newborn finds the outside world a calming place. Provide plenty of comfy clothes and soft blankets, gentle kisses, caresses, and comforting hugs.
From the moment babies are born, they begin to react to the world around them. Their reactions to a hug or a loud sound are examples of normal baby development.
Doctors use these factors to determine if development is going as expected. There is a wide range of what is considered normal, so some children acquire skills earlier or later than others.
What should a child be able to do at 1 month of life?
Newborn behavior
- Turns head towards parental voices or other sounds.
- Cries to inform him of the need to pick him up or feed him, change diapers or put him to bed.
- Stops crying when his desire is satisfied (the child was picked up, fed or put to bed).
Motor and physical development of the child in the first month
From the very beginning, the child has a set of reflexes designed to protect him and provide the necessary help, even if the parental instincts have not yet taken effect.
These early reflexes include the search reflex, which helps locate the breast or feeding bottle, the sucking reflex (helps to eat), the grasp reflex (the one that forces your finger to squeeze when it is placed in the baby's palm), and the Moro reflex (a nervous reaction that he experiences when he is afraid).
You can try a reflex test on your child, but remember that your results may differ and are likely to be less reliable than a doctor's test.
Emotional and social development of a child up to 1 month of life
- calms down from the voice and touch of parents;
- can concentrate for a short time.
Cognitive skills (thinking and learning)
- Looks at faces.
- Monitors the expression on the face of the parents.
Newborn care in the first month of life
If you haven't spent a lot of time around newborns, their fragility can be frightening.
Rules for caring for a child in the first month of life
- be sure to wash your hands before handling your baby. Newborns do not yet have strong immunity, so they are prone to infection. Make sure everyone who interacts with the child has clean hands;
- be careful to support the head and neck of the baby when carrying it or placing it in the crib;
- do not shake the newborn, whether in play or upset. Violent shaking can cause intracranial bleeding and even death. If you need to wake up the baby, do not do it by shaking the baby. Instead, tickle your baby's feet or gently pat on the cheek;
- make sure that the infant in the carrier, stroller or car seat is properly fastened. Limit any activity that might be too harsh or energetic for your baby.
Remember that a newborn at 1 month old is not prepared for rough play, such as shaking or tossing.
How to care for a newborn in the first month?
Caring for a newborn at home includes feeding, changing a diaper, changing clothes, caring for an umbilical wound, trimming nails, bathing, and going to bed.
Feeding the newborn
How to feed her newborn in the first month, with a breast or a bottle, is up to the mother.
You may be confused about how often to do this. It is generally advised to feed the children on demand, that is, whenever he seems hungry. The baby can signal by crying, sucking on a fist, or smacking sounds.
A newborn baby should be fed every 2 to 3 hours. If you are breastfeeding, allow your baby to breastfeed for about 10 to 15 minutes on each breast. If you are formula feeding, give about 60 to 90 milliliters for each feed. For each individual baby, you can individually calculate the one-time volume of the mixture.
When feeding with formula, you can easily control the amount of food. But if you are breastfeeding a baby, it will be a little more difficult. If the baby seems satisfied, he has about six wet diapers and stool several times a day, the baby sleeps well and gains weight well, then there is no shortage of food.
Diaper change
Before changing the diaper, make sure all accessories are within reach and you do not have to leave your baby alone on the changing table.
To change a diaper you need:
- clean diaper;
- diaper ointment if your baby has a rash;
- a container filled with warm water;
- a clean cloth, wet wipes, or cotton pads.
After each bowel movement, or if the diaper is wet, place your baby on the back and remove the dirty diaper. Using water, cotton pads and napkins, gently wipe the baby's genitals. When changing a boy's diaper, do it with caution, as exposure to the air can provoke urination.
When wiping the girl, wipe the perineum from the labia to the bottom to avoid a urinary tract infection. Apply an ointment to prevent and treat the rash.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after changing a diaper.
A rash in the diaper area is a common problem. As a rule, it is red and convex. After a few days, it will disappear when bathing in warm water, using a cream under a diaper and with a little time spent without it. Most rashes are caused by skin sensitivity, irritated by a wet diaper.
To prevent or treat a rash in the diaper area, try a number of ways:
- Change your baby's diaper often and as soon as possible after a bowel movement.
- After washing, apply a "barrier" cream. Zinc creams are preferred as they form a moisture barrier.
- Leave the baby without a diaper for a while. This allows the skin to take an air bath.
If the rash in the diaper area continues for more than 3 days or appears to get worse, see your doctor. The rash can be caused by a fungal infection that requires medication.
Clothing
You will change your child's clothes many times a day.
Here some tips to help make your job more enjoyable - for the baby and for you:
- start with comfortable clothes. Look for stretch fabrics; wide necks; loose sleeves, cuffs and ankles; buttons, snaps, or zippers on the front of the garment, not the back. Lace may look adorable on your little girl, but it can be scratchy or even confuse toddler's fingers, so save it for special occasions;
- attach a bib if the baby spits up regularly. After all, it is much easier to replace it than clothes.
Umbilical wound and circumcision care
Taking care of your umbilical sore is very important. Experts suggest wiping the area with alcohol until the umbilical cord dries up and falls off.
The baby's navel area should not be immersed in water until the umbilical cord falls and the area heals.
Check with your doctor if your belly button area turns red, smells bad, or discharge occurs.
If a boy is circumcised, immediately after the procedure, the head of the penis is covered with gauze smeared with petroleum jelly so that the wound does not stick to the diaper. After changing the diaper, gently wipe the head with clean warm water, then apply Vaseline. Redness or irritation of the penis should heal in a few days, but if redness, swelling, or pus-filled blisters develop, see your doctor right away.
Clipping nails
Nails grew even before the baby was born, so you can get a manicure in the first week of life. This procedure should be carried out every 2 to 3 days in the first month, until the nails harden and stop growing so quickly.
When trimming, hold your child's finger by pressing the tip of the finger down and away from the nail. Cut the nails gently following the natural curve of the nail. Make sure that you do not cut too low and do not make sudden movements. Keeping your tiny toes on your toes, trim your nails straight without curving to the edges. Remember that nails grow more slowly on toes and therefore require less maintenance.
Although you will not feel very well, try not to worry if you hurt your child. This happens to all well-meaning moms. Cover the wound with a soft, clean, lint-free cloth or gauze pad and the bleeding will stop soon.
Bathing basics
You should wipe the baby with a soft sponge before the umbilical cord falls off and the navel is completely healed (1 to 4 weeks).
Prepare the following items before bathing the child:
- clean soft sponge;
- mild baby soap and odorless shampoo;
- soft brush for scalp massage;
- towel or blanket;
- clean diaper;
- fresh clothes.
Rubdown
To do this, select a flat, safe surface in a warm room. Fill a sink, if there is one, or a bowl with warm water. Undress your child and wrap a towel around him. Wipe your baby's eyes with clean cotton balls dipped in water. Movement should be directed from the inside corner to the outside.
Use a separate cotton ball for each eye. Wipe your baby's ears and nose with a damp cloth. Then blot the cloth again and, using a little bit of soap, gently wash your face and pat dry.
Then, lather your baby shampoo and wash your baby's hair gently. Try to rinse off the foam as thoroughly as possible. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe your body, especially pay attention to the armpit folds, areas around the neck, behind the ears and in the genital area. Then you need to dry your skin, put on a diaper and clothes.
Bathing in a tub
When your child is ready to take a bath, the first baths should be short-lived.
A baby bath will be added to the accessories listed above. A baby bath is a plastic tub that fits in a large tub. It is the best size for toddlers and makes bathing easier.
Make sure that the water in the bath is no more than 5 - 7 cm deep. Undress your child in a warm room, then immediately place him in water to prevent chills. Slowly lower the baby up to the chest into the tub, holding his head with one hand.
Use a washcloth to wash your face and hair. Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips or a soft baby brush.
When rinsing the shampoo or soap off your baby's head, place your hand on your forehead to keep the lather flowing to the sides and not getting the soap in your eyes.
Gently wash the rest of your child's body with water.
During the entire bathing, constantly pour water on your child so that he does not catch a cold. After bathing, immediately wrap the baby with a towel, make sure that it covers his head.
Baby towels with a hood are great for keeping your freshly washed baby warm.
When bathing a child, never leave him alone. If you need to leave the bathroom, wrap your baby in a towel and take it with you.
Sleep basics
A newborn who seems to need you every minute of the day actually sleeps for about 16 hours or more. Newborns usually sleep for 2 to 4 hours. Don't expect him to sleep all night long. Babies' digestive systems are so small that they need food every few hours, and crumbs should wake up if they haven't been fed for 4 hours.
Put your baby to sleep on a back or on a side to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, remove all fluffy items, quilts, sheepskins, stuffed animals and pillows from bed to make sure your little one does not get tangled up in them or suffocate.
Also, in order to prevent one-sided flattening of the head, do not forget to alternate the position of the baby every night.
Many newborns have “confused” days and nights. They tend to stay awake at night and sleep more during the day. One way to help them is to keep nighttime excitement to a minimum. Keep the lights low using a night light. Talk and play with your baby throughout the day. When your baby wakes up during the day, try not to sleep a little more, talking and playing.
Encouraging the Newborn to Learn
As parents take care of their newborn, he learns to recognize touch, the sound of a voice, and the appearance of faces.
In the first weeks, you may have several simple, age-adapted toys that develop hearing, vision and tactile sensations.
- Rattles.
- Kids toys.
- Musical toys.
- Unbreakable bed mirrors.
Try toys and mobiles with contrasting colors and patterns. Strong contrasts (such as red, white and black), curves and symmetry stimulate the development of a child's vision. As their vision improves and children gain more control over their movements, they will interact more and more with their environment.
While the focus these days is naturally about keeping the baby healthy, it gets much more difficult if the mom doesn't stay healthy on her own. Therefore, make your health a priority in the first month after giving birth. A short fifteen minute nap will allow you to refresh yourself a little.
Store stocks of easily available but nutritious foods such as cheese sticks, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, fruits, and prepared vegetables so you can eat often. Be aware that your nutritional needs will be higher if you are breastfeeding your baby.
Feeding
When your baby is 1 month old, you need to feed him at least 6 times a day. Try not to be too strict about feeding time, let your baby determine how much and how often he wants to eat.
Sleep organization
Let your baby sleep enough at 1 month, be sensitive to his signals.
Even at this early stage, try to put your baby in his crib when he is tired but still awake. Most young babies go to bed shortly after feeding and their sleep window can be very short.
Behavior
Perhaps you will see early smiles when the newborn is one month old. But most likely this will be due to their reflexes, and not to the reaction. Closer to six weeks, the baby will give a true smile. Many babies develop colic at the age of 1 month.
Motor skills of a child at 1 month
A 1 month old baby will be stronger than a newborn. He may be able to raise his head for a short time when standing upright or lying on his stomach. He might even be able to turn it from side to side. But you still need to give him support.
Your child also becomes more expressive and may start gurgling when they see family members. Be sure to respond to his efforts to encourage these communication skills.
How to develop a baby at 1 month old?
- provide the child with a daily spread on the tummy. This will help develop muscles in the neck and upper body;
- play music and try not to filter your child's world. While it may be tempting to tiptoe at home while the baby is sleeping, it can lead to the baby becoming sensitive to environmental noise. Babies who come to families where there are already many small children do not react to the noise of the house and learn to adapt, because they have to.
All children are unique and develop at their own pace. Development recommendations simply show what the baby can do. And if not at the moment, then in the very near future.
If you have questions or concerns, ask your doctor for possible solutions that will help you and your baby grow together.
