The first month is the fourth trimester — a period of huge adjustment for both baby and you. Your newborn spends most of the day sleeping, feeding, and getting used to life outside the womb. Every cry, cluster feed, and short nap is helping the brain rewire for the outside world.
Newborn (0-4 weeks) developmental milestones
- Sleeps 16-18 hours across the day in short 2-3 hour cycles
- Feeds 8-12 times in 24 hours (breast) or 6-8 times (bottle)
- Startles at sudden loud sounds and calms to familiar voices
- Locks eyes on a face 20-30 cm away — the ideal feeding distance
- First social smile begins to appear near the four-week mark
Care tips for newborn (0-4 weeks)
- Skin-to-skin contact regulates baby’s heart rate, temperature, and breathing. Aim for at least an hour a day.
- Feed on demand rather than by the clock — a newborn stomach holds only around 30 ml at birth.
- Sleep whenever baby sleeps. The first month is not the time to catch up on chores.
- Wipe the umbilical stump with clean, dry hands and keep it above the nappy line until it falls off (usually by two weeks).
This month's checklist
- Book the 1-month well-baby check
- Register the birth
- Rest whenever baby sleeps
Frequently asked questions
How often should my newborn feed?
A breastfed baby feeds 8-12 times in 24 hours; a formula-fed baby 6-8 times. Wet nappies (six or more a day after day five) are the most reliable sign of enough milk.
Is it normal for a newborn to lose weight?
Yes. A weight dip of up to 7-10 percent in the first week is normal. Most babies return to their birth weight by two weeks.
When should I call the doctor?
Call urgently for fever above 38 °C, fewer than six wet nappies a day, refusing feeds, yellow eyes deepening after day 3, or breathing that looks laboured.
When to call your paediatrician
Most months of babyhood pass without alarm, but a small set of symptoms always deserves urgent review. Contact your paediatrician or the nearest paediatric emergency room straight away for any of the following:
- Fever of 38 °C or higher — always urgent under 3 months
- Refusing more than two feeds in a row, or fewer wet nappies than usual
- Breathing that is fast, noisy, or with visible chest tugging
- Persistent vomiting, blood in stool, or a swollen belly
- Any sudden loss of a skill baby had already learned
Where the newborn (0-4 weeks) stage fits in
The first six months are all about building trust, feeding rhythms, and the neurological wiring that underpins every future skill. Growth is at its fastest — most babies gain 150-200 g per week early on and double their birth weight by six months. Your voice, your smell, and skin-to-skin contact are the most powerful tools you have.
Educational content — not a substitute for medical care. Contact your paediatrician urgently for high fever in a young infant, refusing feeds, laboured breathing, persistent vomiting, or any concern that feels wrong to you.