The birth of a baby comes with its share of excitement and worry. Many parents find themselves wondering if the baby is developing correctly. A newborn undergoes many physical changes during the first month of its life. A general understanding of the physical development prepares parents for the first month.
Appearance
Excess fluids make up a portion of a baby's birth weight. The newborn loses the excess fluid weight in the first few days of life before beginning to gain weight again. On the Healthy Children website, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that a newborn might lose one-tenth of her body weight but should gain it back by about 10 days old. Your baby's head size increases significantly in the first month from about 13 3/4 in. to 15 in. The baby will also begin stretching out as she gets used to being outside of the womb.
Vision
According to the American Pregnancy Association, during the first month babies begin seeing black and white patterns. Strong contrasts of color are easiest for a 1 month old to see. They also notice objects that are moving in front of them and can follow the object in a 45-degree range. Babies at this age see about 2 ft. in front of themselves. Crossing of the eyes sometimes occurs during this time frame but should only last for short periods of time. If only one eye appears crossed, it is recommended that you consult your doctor.
Head Movements
Babies begin controlling the neck and shoulder muscles first. When placed on his tummy, a 1-month-old baby raises his head to look around the room. He will likely only raise his head briefly until he strengthens the muscles and develops more control. A baby lying on his back moves his head from side to side.
Other Movements
A 1-month-old baby begins moving her arms and legs, stretching them out now that she is less restricted than she was in the womb. Newborns often keep their hands clenched. She also exhibits a strong grasp reflex at this age. A 1-month-old baby might arch her back during her awake time.
Discrepancies
Every baby develops slightly differently than others. Some babies are slower to reach the physical milestones. A delay in reaching the 1-month physical milestones does not mean your baby has development problems. A call to the pediatrician can ease your mind if you feel your newborn is not reaching physical milestones. Premature babies often reach milestones later than full-term babies.
