‘On your marks’-at month one

The waiting is over as you now have your baby in your arms. But you can hardly wait to see him grow and develop in the fascinating person that is beyond your dreams. In the next 12 months, Baby Love will let you in on what to expect from your growing baby on a monthly basis.

As we go, note that babies differ. Some baby’s take longer than others to achieve some milestones.

Month one’s expectations
Reflexes

His sucking reflex manifests when you touch the sides of his mouth. He will turn towards your finger as if trying to locate your breast. This helps him latch on easily when feeding. When he is asleep, he might make noises as if suckling due to the same reflex.

A baby will grasp your finger if you place it in his fist or when you gently rub his palm. That is his grasping impulse.

When you hold your baby upright in his fourth week, he stands as if preparing to walk, with one foot ahead of the other. He will also be able to lift his head slightly, when placed on his tummy and will be able to move his head from side to side.

Senses

Your baby responds to sounds, for instance, a loud bang will make him throw his hands and legs up, then draw them back; and cry or fuss then resume his sleep. And he will respond to your sound when you talk with coos. He notices your quietness by sometimes crying or gets in sync with your excitement by moving his hands and feet rapidly.

He will respond to your touch by coming closer and seeking comfort. This helps in bonding especially during bath times, when breastfeeding and while massaging him.

He is able to see objects placed at least 12 inches away from his eyes. If moved, his eyes will follow the movement and his attention will be caught by something colourful. He will also blink at bright lights.

Communication

At this stage, the primary language is crying. He will cry when hungry, wet or sleepy. Or It may be that he is colicky. Soothe him and be patient because as he grows, he forms a pattern that will be suitable for both of you. Ensure that his waking up is for feeding, bathing and changing his diaper so that he can utilise the rest with undisturbed sleep.

Sleep

Your newborn will sleep for an approximate of 16 hours per day in form of short naps. That may seem as endless hours of sleep and you may be tempted to nag or poke him till he is awake. Understand that there is nothing unusual about his even longer naps, or erratic patterns that do not match with yours.

Eating patterns

At this point, your baby only needs and will benefit immensely from breast milk, unless advised otherwise by your paediatrician. You will be able to tell that he is not starving if his growth takes the upward scale, if he is rested after feeding and wets diapers.

In general, the appearance of your baby will start taking shape in the next few weeks. Wide variations in some babies’ developments may be seen especially with premature deliveries. But they soon catch up.

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