Your baby is already amazing! And strong! Your newborn can probably do more than you think! She will lie there awake and look around; you can go ahead and put safe things there for her to look at while awake. She can see your face if it is close enough, and she probably already recognizes your voice! She can already lift her neck up some, grasp your finger, even smile in her sleep! She can even start learning how to calm herself down by finding her own fist or settling herself. You may notice several reflexes that newborns have, such as the rooting reflex, the startle (Moro) reflex, the grasping reflex, and the fencer reflex.

Your baby may already be showing her personality as well. Some babies have a harder time with stimulation, and need a quieter, darker environment, and may need you to approach them slower and overall be more gentle. They have a harder time settling themselves. There are ways you can help her. Other babies are more laid back, settle themselves easily, and will either be happy awake or sleep through anything. Every baby is unique. Spend the next few weeks getting to know your new baby!

Newborn milestones

At this age your baby, things your baby starts to do How to help your baby learn and grow
Language &
Communication
  • Can see about 8-12 inches, but will be blurry
  • Should startle to loud noises, may recognize some sounds
 Sing to her and play soothing music in the background during playtime.
Social & Emotional
Interacting with you and others
  • May recognize familiar voices
  • Likes human faces
  • Recognizes smell of mother, especially if breastfeeding
  • Talk to your baby a lot, and respond when she coos at you. Make eye contact with her.
  • Make big smiling faces at your baby and smile back when she smiles at you.
Physical
Moving
  • Smiles in her sleep
  • Moves both arms and legs evenly, may quiver
  • Turns head to both sides
  • Brings her hands together and may put them into her mouth.
  • Move her arms and legs back and forth. Start tummy time, playing on her belly several times a day.
  • Give her lots of loving attention, cuddling, and touching.
  • Give her toys to grasp and shake.
Mental
Thinking & Problem solving
  • Cries when hungry, cold, hot, uncomfortable, wet or dirty diaper, or bored
  • Likes black and white bright drawings
 Prop up board books for her to look at.

Looking ahead

There will never be another time in your child’s life of such rapid growth and development. Imagine doubling your weight in 6 months! Or learning how to hear, see, taste, smell, move, eat, and sleep all at the same time. Your baby is constantly learning and developing. See our website and the resources below for an overview of the first year and ways to help your baby grow and learn.

When to be concerned

You should be concerned if your baby

  • Does not respond to loud noises
  • Does not move both arms and legs the same
  • Does not blink or close eyes to bright light
  • Does not smile while asleep
  • Is floppy or very stiff

Development resources

Zero to Three

Zero to Three provides a wealth of information on child development, milestones, as well as issues such as sleep and behavior in children from birth to age three.

Pathways.org

Pathways.org has an extensive website with videos and articles on developmental milestones, games and activities to help your child develop, and topics on child behavior.

Talk With Me Baby

Talk With Me Baby is a partnership of six Atlanta organizations to promote communication and language development. The website has helpful ideas and there is an app a well.

Vroom

Vroom is an amazing source of games and ideas to promote your child’s development. The app is customized for your child’s age.

CDC Development & Milestones website

The CDC development website has articles and handouts, as well as an app you can use to track your child’s development.