1-Month-Old Baby
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1-Month-Old Baby
Your baby is one month old! What an amazing first month—for you and baby. It's hard to believe how much your day-to-day has changed now that this beautiful (and confusing!) person has entered the world and turned your life upside down. One-month-old babies are completely dependent on their caregivers. And chances are, you're completely in love with your newbie. You also might be feeling more confident in your parenting abilities than you were just a month ago, and with good reason—you're trusting your instincts, putting baby first and reading up on one-month-old baby development and parenting advice, which is proof enough that you're doing a great job!
Want to know what to expect in the coming days and weeks for your one-month-old? We’re sharing everything you need to know to ensure baby is well on track—from one-month-old baby milestones to sleeping and feeding schedules to basic routines and more.
Pretty much all baby did in the first month was sleep, cry, eat and poop, but soon their little (or, make that, big) personality will emerge. Case in point: You will probably notice your one-month-old baby cooing and ahh-ing in the coming weeks. How ridiculously cute is that!?
1-month-old baby weight and length
We know you’re wondering: How much should a one-month-old weigh? What should their length (aka height) be? The average one-month-old baby weight ranges from 5 to 10 pounds for girls and 6 to 12 pounds for boys, according to the World Health Organization.
Of course, if baby weighs or measures much more or much less than the average, it doesn’t mean there’s a problem. Babies—just like adults—come in different shapes and sizes. What’s important is that baby’s growing and putting on weight at a healthy rate. The pediatrician will check on that, and ensure that they’re progressing on their growth chart at that all-important one-month checkup.
Your baby has likely gained 1.5 to 2 pounds and grown about 1.5 to 2 inches since birth, and baby’s head probably measures about an inch larger.
Coming up: In a 6-week-old baby, a growth spurt is pretty common, so be mentally prepared! Sometimes babies feed more frequently when they’re in a spurt, so know you might have to keep up with an extra demanding baby. Wondering if baby has hit this stage? If they’re acting fussier than usual or falling out of their sleep routine (if you even have one at this point!), it’s very likely your little one is working hard on growing bigger and stronger (a comforting reminder when you’re calming your cranky cutie at all hours of the night).
1-month-old’s five senses
Since hearing is developed in utero around 35 weeks, your one-month-old baby’s hearing is fully developed, and they may turn toward familiar sounds and voices. Initially, fluids in the ears affect the clarity of sound, and the parts of the brain that deal with sound processing have to develop, which usually doesn't happen until the seven-month mark. Here are some more interesting facts about your one-month-old’s developing senses:
- Baby’s eyes still wander and may sometimes cross, which could make you wonder: How far can a one-month-old see? They can now see and focus on objects that are about 8 to 12 inches away. They like black and white patterns and those in other contrasting colors. But they’d rather look at faces than anything else, so no need for fancy toys. Just hold baby facing you, and chat away!
- You may also be curious if baby can recognize your face at the one-month stage. Many experts believe babies can recognize their caregivers within just a few days of birth, while others suggest babies begin remembering faces by the two-month mark. That said, by 8 months, baby will be able to identify you from across the room—so you have that to look forward to.
- Baby’s sense of smell is developing too. They like sweet smells (bitter or acidic things are basically yuck to them), and if you’re nursing, baby would probably be able to pick your breast milk out of a lineup, since they know the smell and taste so well. (And, FYI, breast milk is also very sweet!)
- Baby doesn’t like to be held or moved in a rough or abrupt way. So keep things gentle—you probably already are!
1-month-old baby milestones
Your newborn is still pretty much a cute blob at this point. Still, throughout the month you’ll notice some rapid changes and impressive developments. There are some one-month-old baby milestones on the horizon.
“What should my one-month-old be doing?” That’s the question every new parent asks. While every baby’s different, it’s typical for a one-month-old baby to still be keeping their hands tight in fists. Baby probably jerks and quivers their arms and has keen reflexes.
While you should be patient with baby’s progress hitting milestones, there are a few developmental red flags you should be aware of. Call the doctor if your one-month-old baby:
- Is feeding slowly, has trouble sucking, sweats while feeding, turns blue while feeding or projectile vomits with most feedings
- Doesn’t blink in bright light
- Doesn’t respond to loud sounds
- Doesn’t focus their eyes on an object or follow it with their eyes when it moves
- Has a trembling jaw or repetitive movements that don’t stop when touched
- Doesn’t seem to move their arms and legs much
- Seems overly loose or overly stiff in the limbs
With babies, in general, no news is good news. As long as you’re not seeing signs of a problem, your one-month-old’s health is probably totally great. A few common health concerns of parents of one-month-olds include:
- Constipation. Parents wonder: How often should a one-month-old poop? The answer is, it can vary a lot. If baby is formula-fed, they generally poop at least once a day, although it can be more or less than that. Some breastfed babies poop with every feeding, while some might not poop for a day or more. The general rule of thumb is that if baby’s poop comes out in hard, small balls, you’ve got a one-month-old baby who’s constipated. Check out more on how to handle constipation.
- Congestion. Babies often seem a little stuffy, but if your little one is coughing, has a runny nose, has a fever, is breathing fast or not eating well, check in with your pediatrician If your one-month-old is congested, head over here to get more info on how to help them breathe and feel better.
At one month, baby is still probably feeding once every two to four hours if you’re breastfeeding or once every three to four hours if you’re formula feeding. By now, you’ve probably learned to follow baby’s cues to determine when they’re hungry—you may even be able to identify their own distinct “hungry cry.”
How much should a 1-month-old baby eat?
If you’re breastfeeding, don’t worry too much about the quantity of breast milk. You can’t measure it when it comes straight from the tap anyhow! Baby will know when they’re full by stopping, moving away from your breast or falling asleep. Soon, baby will become a more efficient feeder and will be able to get more milk in a shorter amount of time—so you may notice you spend a teeny bit less time feeding in the coming months.
What can a 1-month-old baby eat this month?
Baby should still stick to just formula or breast milk, or a combo of both. Wondering if a one-month-old can drink water? Most doctors recommend waiting until baby is at least 6 months old before giving them water. They get plenty of fluids from your breast milk or formula! There may be some exceptions, so always check with your pediatrician first.
1-month-old feeding schedule
If you’ve got a one-month-old baby at home, chances are sleep is at the top of your priority list. And while your little one may get adequate shuteye, it’s probably not at the most ideal hours.
How much sleep does a 1-month-old get?
One-month-old babies need about 14 to 17 hours of sleep per 24-hour period. How it’s split up throughout the day depends on the baby, but around three daytime naps is pretty typical, with eight-and-a-half hours of sleep probably coming at night (with plenty of interruptions, of course!).
Doesn’t sound exactly like your kid? It’s okay—different babies have different personalities, just like adults! Any sleep concerns should be discussed with your pediatrician, who can give you personalized advice, but here are some common one-month-old sleep concerns:
1-month-old baby won’t sleep
There are so many reasons it might be tough to get baby to sleep. They could be overstimulated, uncomfortable or just want to cuddle with you. Try some of these tricks to help baby sleep, and if they don’t seem to work, talk your pediatrician.
1-month-old baby sleeping all day
Some babies get what’s called “day/night confusion,” where they mix up day and nights. Some might have an illness that’s making them sleep more than usual. Others might just be extra sleepy! Try to pinpoint the cause of baby’s sleepiness and then decide whether or not it could be an issue—if baby’s otherwise healthy, eating and peeing enough, then it’s probably not something to worry over.
1-month-old sleep schedule
Here’s an example of a typical one-month-old’s sleep schedule:
It’s not really possible to get a one-month-old on a schedule, but you can start to incorporate patterns throughout baby’s day. For example, a “sleep, eat, play” routine works for a lot of babies. Over time, you’ll find that sticking to a pattern like that may develop into a more predictable daily routine. Just remember to be flexible—things can change, and it’s important you roll with the punches. Keep following baby’s cues for hunger and sleep.
1-month-old example schedule
A one-month-old’s daily schedule might look something like this:
If you’re worried about your one-month-old baby’s schedule or routine, talk to their pediatrician.
Yes, a one-month-old baby may be small and helpless, but that doesn’t mean you can’t interact with them and enjoy a few beginner activities together. It’s true that baby can’t do much, but they’ll still get a kick out of playtime with you. Don’t know where to start? Use your imagination; it doesn’t take a lot of effort or skill to engage and entertain your newborn. Below, some ideas to try with your tiny playmate.
- Talk to baby. It’s never too early to start communicating with baby. Use an animated voice, make eye contact and pour your heart out. Don’t know what to talk about? Walk your one-month-old through a diaper change, describe different family members or chat about the animal characters on their nursery walls. Baby loves your familiar voice and is happy to listen to anything and everything you want to say—or sing for that matter. And when they start to coo? Reply right back! These early conversations are precious, and baby will adore every moment.
- Read to baby. Grab a picture or board book, and introduce your one-month-old to the joys of reading. Research has found that reading to baby from the get-go can foster early literacy skills. What’s more, it offers a sweet bonding moment.
- Make silly faces. Babies love to look at faces, so give them what they want! Scrunch up your nose, stick out your tongue or make a puckered face, and your one-month-old baby will think it’s an absolute hoot. For now, you’ll be the star of this one-person show. Before you know it, they’ll join in and begin imitating your silly faces and even trying out their own.
- Use rattles and toys. At this stage, a one-month-old baby may start using their eyes to track moving objects. To encourage this reaction, shake a brightly colored rattle or move a ball from side to side, and see if baby’s head turns. Baby may soon connect the dots and understand that their eyes can follow an object’s motion.
- Go for a walk. Fresh air can work wonders for you and your one-month-old baby. Going for a stroll is also a great early way to expose baby to the outside world. Different sights, smells and sounds will help engage baby’s senses. What’s more, a change of scenery might do you some good too!
One-month-old babies are sweet and sleepy little things; they may not do a lot, but there’s plenty of developmental milestones happening behind the scenes. While you prepare for the next exciting stage, here’s a list of to-dos to tackle:
- Take baby to their one-month checkup for a wellness evaluation, and to track their one-month-old baby milestones.
- Ask the doctor about supplementing with vitamin D drops if you’re breastfeeding.
- Check baby’s vaccine schedule; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a second dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine between months one and two.
- Schedule baby’s two-month checkup.
- Go to your postpartum checkup at about six weeks post-birth.
- Plan a date night with your partner (even if it’s while baby’s sleeping).
- Take baby’s one-month old baby milestone photo.
The early days of parenthood are equal parts exciting and exhausting. One-month-olds learn and grow every day. It’s a nonstop adventure; enjoy all the one-month-old baby milestones. Trust us, the old adage is spot on: The days are long, but the years are short. Soak it in.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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