Newborn

Newborn Developmental Milestones

Newborn Development: 0-1 month

From the moment babies are born, they respond to the world around them. Their reactions — being calmed by a parent’s embrace or startled by a loud sound — are examples of normal infant development. Doctors use milestones to tell if a baby is developing as expected. There is a wide range of what is considered normal, so some babies may gain skills earlier or later than others. Babies who were born prematurely may reach milestones later. Always talk with your doctor about your baby’s progress.

AGES & STAGES GUIDE

Newborn Development (Birth to 1 Month)

NFP_New Born_AgesStages_600x400

The newborn stage is a time of rapid growth and adjustment—for both babies and parents. During the first month of life, your baby is learning how to eat, sleep, sense the world, and feel secure outside the womb. While every newborn develops at their own pace, many share common growth patterns, reflexes, and behaviors during these early weeks.

Physical Growth: How Much Will My Newborn Grow?

In the first few days after birth, it’s normal for babies to lose up to 10% of their birth weight. Most regain this weight by two weeks of age and then continue to grow steadily.

Typical growth patterns during the first month include:

Weight: After the first two weeks, babies gain about 1 ounce (37.8 g) per day
Average length at birth:
- Boys: ~20 inches (50.8 cm)
- Girls: ~19¾ inches
Average length of one month:
- Boys: ~21½ inches
- Girls: ~21 inches (0.53 m)
Head growth: Increases by just under 1 inch (2.54 cm) by the end of the first month

Your pediatrician will monitor growth closely to ensure your baby is developing appropriately.

What Affects My Newborn’s Physical Growth?

Several factors influence a baby’s size and growth, including:

Length of pregnancy: Babies born closer to their due date are often larger
Parent size: Genetics play a role in newborn size
Multiple births: Twins or triplets are often smaller at birth
Birth order: Firstborn babies may be slightly smaller
Gender: Boys tend to be slightly larger than girls
Mother’s health during pregnancy: Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, or poor nutrition can affect birth weight
Baby’s health: Some medical conditions or infections during pregnancy may impact growth

What Can My Newborn Do?

NFP_New Born-3_AgesStages_600x400

Although newborns sleep most of the day, their awake time is full of important activity. Many movements are reflexive, meaning they happen automatically as the nervous system matures.

Common Newborn Reflexes

Rooting reflex: Helps the baby find the breast or bottle
Sucking reflex: Enables feeding and develops fully near term
Moro (startle) reflex: A response to loud sounds or sudden movement
Tonic neck reflex: “Fencing” posture when the head turns
Grasp reflex: Fingers curl when the palm is touched
Babinski reflex: Toes fan outward when the sole is stroked
Step reflex: Appears as stepping when the feet touch a surface

Typical Newborn Movements & Behaviors

The head needs full support
Turns the head side to side while on the stomach
Jerky or uncoordinated movements
Hands move toward the mouth
Briefly focuses on faces or light
Begins lifting the head during tummy time

Communication: What Can My Newborn Say?

Crying is a newborn’s primary way of communicating. At first, cries may sound similar, but over time parents often recognize different cries for hunger, discomfort, fatigue, or the need for comfort.

Responding promptly with holding, rocking, gentle words, or feeding helps your baby:

Feel safe and secure
Learn trust
Build emotional attachment

Understanding & Awareness

Your newborn is already learning about the world and may:

Startle at loud noises
Focus on faces or high-contrast black-and-white images
Respond to familiar voices
Show early smiles, often during sleep

Sleep: How Much Does My Newborn Need?

NFP_New Born-3_AgesStages_600x400

Newborns typically sleep 14–17 hours per day, and some may sleep up to 18–19 hours. However, sleep occurs in short stretches.

Newborns should not sleep longer than 4–5 hours at a time during the first 5–6 weeks
Breastfed babies usually feed every 2–3 hours
Bottle-fed babies may feed every 3–4 hours

Parents may need to wake newborns for feeding until they regain birth weight (usually within two weeks). Once weight gain is steady, longer nighttime sleep stretches may be appropriate.

Every baby’s sleep pattern is different. Some begin sleeping longer stretches by 2–3 months, while others take more time.

Supporting Your Newborn’s Emotional Security

Your newborn depends on close, loving interactions to feel safe in their new environment. Emotional security supports brain development, learning, and healthy relationships.

Simple ways to support your newborn include:

Holding your baby face-to-face
Speaking in a calm, affectionate voice
Singing softly
Walking with your baby in a carrier or stroller
Swaddling to reduce the startle reflex
Rocking gently
Responding quickly to cries

These everyday moments build trust and strengthen your bond.