You may not realize it when you become a parent, but you’re going to be obsessed with newborn development.
We all want our children to progress normally, especially in those first several uncertain months. It can be anxiety-inducing to follow infant development, but it’s important to track newborn growth to make sure your child is happy and healthy.
In this post, we’re going to help you understand each development milestone for newborn babies. Read on and let us put your mind at ease so you can start enjoying being a parent to your newborn.
What to Expect in the First Few Months
The overwhelming feeling of bringing your newborn home for the first time is quickly drowned out by the monotony of feeding and sleeping. After a couple of weeks, you should start to notice signs of development.
In terms of motor skills, you should see your baby’s movements become more controlled over the first few weeks. By two months, they should be able to hold their own head up and by the end of three, most babies can lift their heads and chests off the ground when placed on their tummies.
When you bring a newborn home, they’ll have difficulty tracking anything visually. Over the first two months, they’ll start to lock onto objects and faces. By month three, they should be able to react to facial expressions and make eye contact.
Newborns can hear sounds, but obviously, they can’t attach any meaning to them. In the first month, they’ll gradually start to react to familiar sounds and process language. At the end of the third month, they may start repeating sounds and experimenting with their own new sounds.
How to Promote Newborn Development
Caring for a newborn is exciting, but also incredibly exhausting. If you’re going to help them with their development, it’s actually so important to look after yourself. Get sleep when possible and try to share household chores with your partner.
There are specific ways to promote development. For instance, babies need skin-to-skin contact to feel safe and loved, so hold them, let them grab your fingers, and place their hands on your face. Make eye contact with them and react to the things they do with your expressions and speech.
Try to surround your baby with toys that have different functions, textures, and colors. Make sure that you’re regularly doing tummy time, but pay close attention to how they react. You have to encourage them to lift their head, so make noises and entice them with their toys.
If your baby starts crying, which is how they communicate as newborns, make sure you react quickly. You’re not spoiling your baby by giving them attention. You’re actually building a stronger bond that helps them trust you.
Getting Newborn Care in Meridian
Tracking newborn development independently is an important aspect of parenting. That said, you need a good pediatrician to help monitor your baby’s health and development as well. For the best newborn care in Meridian, Idaho, Thrive Pediatrics is the best choice.
We can help guide you and your newborn child to thrive. We’re accepting new patients now, so learn more about our services and our team of amazing providers today.
