A newborn baby is a fascinating little creature who melts the hearts of everyone who holds him. For first-time parents, knowing what to expect from their newborn baby can be overwhelming. Your little bundle may be tiny, but his needs are often demanding and his development can be unfamiliar to many parents.
Time Frame and Activity
A baby is considered a newborn until one month after birth. After that point, the newborn becomes an infant until he hits the toddler world by storm at the age of 12 months. You may notice certain reflexes in your newborn such as the startle reflex, in which he will suddenly extend both arms and legs with a jolt when startled. Other reflexes include rooting, where the baby will try to suck when his cheek is rubbed and the grasp reflex in which he will close his fingers around an object (or your finger) when placed in his palm.
Growth
Newborn babies grow rapidly during their first month. On average, a newborn will gain around 5 ounces each week and increase in height by 1 to 1 1/2 inches in the first month. Growth spurts occur around seven to 10 days after birth and again three weeks after birth.
Nutrition
Breastfeeding newborns nurse often because breast milk is such an amazing source of nutrition and is immediately put to use in the body; it does not sit in the tummy to make the baby feel full. Newborns typically nurse every two to three hours around the clock and will nurse more during growth spurts. Formula-fed babies may eat less often because the formula leaves a feeling of fullness. When using formula, newborns will typically drink 1 1/2 to 3 ounces every three hours. Each baby is different; crying, rooting and sucking on his hands is a sign that your baby is hungry. Unless a doctor advises differently, feed your newborn as often as he is hungry.
Sleeping Habits
New parents are tired for a reason; although newborns can sleep 14 to 18 hours a day, it's generally only in two- to four-hour spurts. The most common reason for a baby to wake up is hunger. Newborns like to feel nestled, warm and snuggled. If your baby has difficulty going to sleep or staying asleep, swaddle him in a blanket to mimic the feeling of being curled up in the womb.
Elimination
Changing wet and dirty diapers is a task frequently tackled by parents of newborns. A newborn baby typically has six to 10 wet diapers a day. Breastfed babies may poop less frequently than formula-fed babies because nearly all of the breast milk is used with little to no waste left over. It's not uncommon for breastfed babies to go days, even a week, without creating a dirty diaper. However, formula-fed babies may have a bowel movement one or more times each day.
