A newborn infant, or neonate, is a child under 28 days of age. During these first 28 days of life, the child is at highest risk of dying. The vast majority of newborn deaths take place in developing countries where access to health care is low.
The Bottom Line
The term newborn is often used for babies under 28 days or even up to 2 or 3 months of age, according to experts. After this period (and even during the newborn stage), your little one may be referred to as a baby or an infant up until they're around 1 year of age.
By the time your baby is three months of age, she will have made a dramatic transformation from a totally dependent newborn to an active and responsive infant. She'll lose many of her newborn reflexes while acquiring more voluntary control of her body.
Your baby has officially graduated from the 4th Trimester! To put it another way: After nearly three months of life, most babies are actually ready to be born now (some are a little slower and need another month of cuddling to really wake up to the world).
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new baby. And, although people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
12 weeks old baby
Your baby is officially 3 months old. The first 12 weeks of life can be challenging for new parents and their babies. Getting to know each other and becoming familiar with what works for you both can take a few months of trial and error.
You should stop swaddling your baby when he starts attempting to roll over. Many babies start working on this move at about 2 months old. Swaddling once your baby can roll over may increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and suffocation.
When your baby is between 1 and 3 months old, she'll be gradually gaining the strength needed to hold her head up. By around 2 months, while she's lying on her stomach, you might notice she can raise her head for just a few seconds at a time. These brief moments help strengthen the muscles in the back of her neck.
Your baby should be showing signs of sitting by 8 months. There are several activities you can try with your baby to help them to start sitting. Ask your health visitor for any further advice you may need or if you have any concerns.
Dr Prasad says to prevent serious health consequences, everyone, including moms, should avoid kissing infants early on. He notes that given the rise in RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and other illnesses, it is critical that everyone is aware of the dangers of kissing newborns.
Babies need fresh air and light. Going for a walk outdoors is also stimulating and fun for your child. A healthy baby can go outside every day in any season, as long as the temperature isn't too hot or cold.
How often does my newborn need a bath? There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.
A common question parents have is, when do babies laugh for the first time? Around 4 months is when babies typically start laughing, but do keep in mind that children develop at their own unique rate. If your little one is at the four-month mark and hasn't let out a laugh, that's OK!
As soon as your baby can hold their head up (around 3 to 4 months), it's safe to sit your baby up with assistance (like in your lap). However, many parents choose to allow their baby to reach that milestone on their own, when they are ready.
If your baby cries or gets upset during tummy time, try not to automatically pick him up. Instead, comfort him in other ways first, like rubbing his back or singing soothing songs. Aim for about 30 minutes a day total, but you can break these up over the course of the day if your baby's really resistant.
One week after birth, your baby will start to slowly develop color vision. They can also see about 8 10 10 inches away. At 6 weeks of age, a baby can see about 12 inches away.
5 to 8 months
It is not until around the fifth month that the eyes are capable of working together to form a three-dimensional view of the world and begin to see in-depth. Although an infant's color vision is not as sensitive as an adult's, it is generally believed that babies have good color vision by 5 months of age.
Babies don't have to be swaddled. If your baby is happy without swaddling, don't bother. Always put your baby to sleep on his back. This is true no matter what, but is especially true if he is swaddled.
Although your baby's hands and face may feel cold, this may differ from their core body temperature. To give you a better idea if they are warm or cold, feel the skin on their tummy and back. Their skin should feel warm and not too hot or cold.
Enfamil Enspire is one of the most similar baby Formula to human milk, especially nutritionally. Although it often costs a little more than other options, it contains nutrients only found in mother's milk, making it perfect for breastfed infants. First and foremost, it includes lactoferrin which is found in colostrum.
Most babies around 3-4 months will take about 4-5 naps per day, and that will likely vary from day to day as well.
Somewhere around 2 months of age, baby will look at you and flash a full-on smile that's guaranteed to make your heart swell. Doctors call that kind of smile a “social smile” and describe it as one that's “either a reaction, or trying to elicit a reaction,” Stavinoha says. In other words, baby is interacting with you!