A Complete Guide to Your Newborn's First Month - What to Expect

Summary

This video provides an informative and uplifting overview of the first month of a newborn's life, offering parents insight into what to expect. From the joy of holding their baby for the first time to understanding the baby's developmental milestones, it highlights key aspects like tummy time, facial recognition, and early communication. It introduces the six states of mind babies experience, including alert, active, and sleep states. With encouragement and advice, the video reassures new parents and provides guidance on navigating the magical journey of their baby's first month.

Takeaways

• 😀 The long wait is over, and your newborn is finally here, bringing joy and excitement.
• 😀 Newborn development progresses rapidly, with early skills like lifting their head briefly during tummy time.
• 😀 Tummy time should always be supervised and is more fun when done on your chest or tummy.
• 😀 Your baby will love focusing on your face, and the sound of your voice will be comforting and familiar to them.
• 😀 By the end of the first month, your baby may start making sounds, like sweet coos.
• 😀 Babies have a natural sucking reflex, which helps during feeding and self-soothing with their fingers.
• 😀 Your baby’s primary activities may seem to be eating, sleeping, and pooping, but they also have six states of mind.
• 😀 The six states of mind include: quiet alert, active alert, crying, drowsy, quiet sleep, and active (REM) sleep.
• 😀 During REM sleep, babies may experience physical movements, such as sucking, pouting, or even smiling.
• 😀 By the end of the first month, you'll likely feel more confident and experienced as a parent, though there's more to learn in the months ahead.

Q & A

What should I expect during the first month of my baby's life?

In the first month, your baby will make rapid developmental progress. They'll likely be able to briefly lift their head during tummy time and will start to focus on your face, responding to your voice. Expect a lot of sleeping, eating, and pooping, along with some early cooing sounds.

How can I encourage my newborn's development in the first month?

To support your baby's development, engage in activities like tummy time (supervised) and spend time face-to-face with them. Your voice is comforting and familiar, and your baby will start to make sounds in response, like cooing, by the end of the month.

What is tummy time, and why is it important?

Tummy time is when you place your baby on their stomach while awake and supervised. It's important for developing neck and shoulder muscles, helping them gain the strength needed for future milestones, like rolling over and sitting up.

What are the different states of mind a newborn has?

A newborn has six states of mind: quiet alert (focused and calm), active alert (moving arms and legs, focusing on the environment), crying (due to hunger, discomfort, etc.), drowsy (nodding off to sleep), quiet sleep (deep, still sleep), and active sleep (REM sleep with restless movements and possible smiles).

How does my baby's state of mind affect their behavior?

Your baby's state of mind impacts their energy levels and responsiveness. For example, when they're in a quiet alert state, they focus on their surroundings, while in an active alert state, they engage with their environment more physically. Crying often signals a need, while drowsy and sleep states show when they're resting.

What kind of sounds can my baby make in the first month?

In the first month, your baby will begin to make early sounds like cooing. These sounds are a sign of developing vocal skills and are usually prompted by the comfort of hearing your voice.

What should I know about my baby's feeding habits during the first month?

Your baby will likely be a natural sucker, which helps during feedings. Babies are driven by hunger and the need for comfort, so they'll feed frequently, and may even suck their fingers as a source of comfort between feedings.

How can I tell if my baby is crying for a specific reason?

Newborns cry to express different needs. Common reasons include hunger, discomfort, needing a diaper change, or simply wanting affection. Over time, you'll begin to recognize the different types of cries and respond accordingly.

What is the significance of 'face time' for my newborn?

Face time, or spending time gazing at each other's faces, helps strengthen the bond between you and your baby. Your baby is likely fascinated by your face and may find comfort in seeing and hearing you.

How will my newborn's sleep patterns change in the first month?

In the first month, your baby will sleep a lot, but in short bursts. They'll experience both quiet sleep and active sleep (REM), with their movements being more noticeable during active sleep, like sucking, pouting, and even smiling.