The first year of a baby's life is exciting and sometimes confusing for parents, with new and big changes happening day by day, week by week, and month by month. It can be hard for parents to keep up with all these changes.
Welcoming a new family member keeps parents busy learning how to care for the baby and enjoying every moment of their growth stages. Even though every baby grows differently, there are some things most babies go through in the first year, and ways to handle the constant changes.
This article will cover a complete guide to normal baby growth in the first year and explain all the changes and decisions for both the baby and the parents.
Normal Baby Growth Stages in the First Year
The baby's growth and development stages in the first year include:
- The First Week
Congrats! You're a parent overnight, and your life has changed completely. The first week of the baby's life is all about adjusting, surviving, and getting as much rest as possible to start feeling good about being a parent.
In the first week, expect the baby to get plenty of sleep, and for the mom to have time to recover after birth. You can learn about the baby's natural reactions that might seem surprising at first, notice the irregular breathing patterns newborns have, especially during naps, and learn safe sleep guidelines to keep the baby safe at night.
Feeding the newborn will be the main focus this week, so the mom can get ready to breastfeed and get help with problems with breastfeeding like poor latch, blocked milk ducts, or choosing the right milk for the baby.
You can also find out what to do if the baby won't stop crying, how much milk they need, and how long you can expect diapers to last.
- Week two
In week two, you can recognize hunger signs in the baby, decode the sounds they make, and understand why they'll return to their birth weight after losing some grams in the first week.
Also, week two might be a good time to take out the baby bathtub after the umbilical cord falls off. Thanks to the first growth spurt, mom might also enjoy cluster feeding, which means breastfeeding several times in a short period.
The second week is also a key time to address any physical issues that showed up in the first week, like mastitis, or postpartum depression, and healing after childbirth.
- Week three
During week three, some babies might start having colic, so it's important for parents to know how to handle it and what to expect, especially if the baby cries a lot more.
At three weeks old, you can start giving the baby regular tummy time to develop the muscles needed to lift their neck. Also, if the baby has skin issues like cradle cap or baby acne, you can try strategies like spacing out baths and using a gentle, safe baby cleanser.
- Week four
Week four is a good time to deal with diaper rash, find a diaper rash cream you want to buy for the baby, and learn how to use it right. Moms can also learn how to pump breast milk for storage.
At four weeks or one month, the baby might get routine vaccines during the check-up, including the second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Parents should talk to the healthcare provider about any concerns and learn how to reduce the baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Week Five
The baby won't be able to use toys fully yet, but is getting close. They can use a rattle. This week, the baby will hit other important growth milestones. If mom plans to go back to work soon, she can get lots of advice and support from other parents who've been through it.
- Week Six
Around this time, parents might return to work. There could be mixed feelings, but no matter what, they can prepare by learning how to store breast milk and balance working from home and the office.
If someone other than the parents is caring for the baby, make sure they know how to do CPR and are up to date on current safety standards.
- Week Seven
Parents should keep communicating as they adjust to parenthood together. If you're resuming physical intimacy, talk about ways to prevent pregnancy if possible. Also keep open and honest talks about signs of postpartum depression. It's important to have a plan to ask for help because, like any medical issue, early intervention is key to treatment.
Also, make sure the baby gets lots of tummy time to strengthen those important muscles. As the baby grows, you might need help choosing daycare or get a baby carrier. Don’t worry, these things are hard for everyone at first.
- Month Two
At the two-month checkup, the baby will get important vaccines to protect against certain diseases. As the baby grows and goes out more, be aware of car safety concerns like using the car seat properly. Also, read up on how to prevent accidentally leaving the baby in a hot car.
- Month Three
In the third month, some good news can be expected: the baby might stop the evening fussiness. You’ll also notice the stool color change, so it’s important to learn how to understand the different colors.
If the mom is still breastfeeding, she might need support this month if milk supply drops, pumping resources are low, or if certain health conditions require meds compatible with breastfeeding.
- Month Four
This month, the baby will enjoy age-appropriate toys more and more. Parents should get involved and play practically by getting on the floor, talking about daily activities they did, and offering a variety of toys.
Also, you can take steps to help your baby build the muscles needed to sit alone, which is an amazing milestone coming soon.
- Month Five
There are many reasons to keep a baby home, like fever, constant cough, breathing trouble, vomiting, diarrhea, and contagious illnesses like whooping cough.
Diseases in kids can be hard to control, so parents should learn natural ways to reduce fever and never give aspirin to the baby.
- Month Six
You've reached the baby's half-year mark, which is no small feat considering the many sleepless nights the parents had so far. Celebrate by seeing if the baby is ready for solids this month, and make the baby food yourself.
When the baby starts eating more solids, breastfeeding moms might get their period back or even earlier than expected. If no new pregnancy is planned soon, it's good to discuss birth control because pregnancy can happen sooner than you think.
- Month Seven
Is it okay to let the child watch shows? Parents might want a break by playing cartoons for their child, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for kids under 18 months.
Also, this month the baby might start teething, so teeth should be cleaned as soon as possible. You can also learn how to handle separation anxiety and how to childproof the house to avoid accidents or injuries.
- Eighth month
Is the baby's weight normal for their age and stage? You can check average length and weight for infants at this stage, but remember all babies grow at different rates and many factors affect their growth.
This month, parents should focus on interactive games during playtime. They should get down on the floor and play with the little one too. By the eighth month, the baby might eat more solids and show changes in bowel movements. If the baby has trouble chewing or swallowing, parents should talk to a healthcare provider to rule out any medical issues causing vomiting.
- Ninth month
If more foods are given to the baby, parents should watch for signs of food allergy like rash, diarrhea, gas, trouble breathing, wheezing, or vomiting.
This month, the baby's sleep might be broken due to teething or growth spurts. But parents shouldn't get discouraged. They should stick to the usual sleep routine and try new ways to soothe the baby.
- Month Ten
Ten-month-old babies are like busy bees that never stop. As they get more active, the risk of accidents goes up, especially since they put everything they can in their mouths.
So parents need to know common choking hazards for kids and avoid foods that cause choking like popcorn, grapes, hot dogs, and nuts. Everyone caring for the child should also know what to do if choking happens.
- Month Eleven
As the baby's first birthday nears, parents might start thinking about big changes like weaning or dropping naps. The baby might be taking first steps too. Parents should also pat themselves on the back for making it through the first year.
