Your Amazing One-Month-Old

From the Editors of Your Baby Today


As small and fragile as your baby may seem, rest assured that your gentle loving caresses will provide for his most basic needs: to be loved and comforted by you.

Milestones this month | Your newborn's natural reflexes | Your baby's developing senses | Snooze news | Dinner! |

Milestones this month*



  • Your baby can lift his head slightly for a few seconds when lying on his stomach.

  • He focuses his eyes on your face.

  • With his eyes, he'll follow an object moved about six inches above his face.



*All babies have their own internal developmental timetable. If your 1-month-old hasn't yet reached these milestones, rest assured that he will in time. If you have concerns about your baby's development, discuss them with his doctor.

Your newborn's natural reflexes
After nine months in the womb, your baby will be equipped to say hello to the world with these universal reflexes:

 



  • Grasp: His little hand will grip your finger when you stroke his palm.

  • Startle: When he's startled by a loud noise or a quick movement, your baby will thrust out his arms and legs, then draw them back and cry.

  • Rooting: When you rub the corner of your baby's mouth, he'll immediately turn toward your finger. This rooting instinct is what helps him to latch onto your nipple for feeding.

  • Sucking: Your baby is ready and willing to suck for feeding; sucking also comforts him.

  • Tonic neck: Lie your newborn on his side, and watch how he extends his arm and leg on the side he's lying on, and flexes the arm and leg on the opposite side.

  • Walking: Although he's far from ready for the real thing, if you support your baby upright in a standing position, you'll see him naturally try to step out.



Your baby's developing senses

At 1 month, your baby will be experiencing a symphony of the senses. What he hears and sees can make him quiet, agitated, satisfied, or blissfulÐand sometimes all four emotions in the same breath!


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