Your baby’s first year is full of developmental milestones, which can be incredibly exciting. But the time passes so quickly. One moment, mommy is pushing out her baby, and the next moment, their no longer a newborn. It’s crazy, to say the least. So, when is a baby no longer a newborn? This article dives into it all and discusses what parents can expect, including some tips on navigating the transition.
Table of Contents
What is the Newborn Stage?
A baby is considered a newborn until about 2 months old. Around the one-month mark, you will notice signs that your baby transitions from the newborn stage.
Signs of Transition from the Newborn Stage
- Increased alertness: You will notice their eyes start to follow faces or objects, showing curiosity and interest in the world around them.
- Longer wake windows: They are awake for longer periods during the daytime.
- Milestones: Exciting signs of transitioning from the newborn stage are the surfacing of milestones.
- Increased motor control: As your baby gains muscle strength and coordination, you will start to notice changes in their motor skills.
- Changing sleeping patterns: While newborns have different sleeping patterns, you will notice better sleep cycles appear.
- Growing curiosity and engagement: Your baby’s curiosity and interest in the world will start to increase, and you will feel more connected to your baby.
Physical Characteristics
- Soft spot: The soft spot on a baby’s head is diamond-shaped. It is okay to touch it, but if you do, do it gently. It should close between 6 and 18 months.
- Cephalohematoma/Caput: These are known as fluid-filled bumps on the top of the head. Usually, they go away within a few days to months after birth.
- Ears: A pit or dimple in front of the ear is normal. It rarely gets infected, but if you notice any swelling or redness, consult your healthcare provider. If the ears appear to be soft and folded over, don’t worry as it will go back to shape soon.
- Eyes: Your baby’s eyelids will probably be swollen for the first three days after birth. Your baby’s eyes can look crossed in the first two months. If it doesn’t go back to normal, consult your healthcare provider.
- Watery eyes: This can be a blocked tear duct. Most tear ducts open up in 12 months. Call your healthcare provider if the mucus discharge gets worse.
- Stuffy nose: It’s very common for an infant’s nose to appear stuffy. Stuffiness disappears as the nostrils grow, around 2 – 4 months.
- White spots in the mouth: White coatings or white spots are known as oral thrush. To prevent thrush, wipe your baby’s mouth with a glycerine or damp cloth to get more.
Milestones: When Is a Baby No Longer a Newborn
This can be measured by their physical growth, changes in sleep, feeding and cognitive development. Let’s take a closer look at each!
Physical Growth and Development
The length of full-term infants increases typically 30% by the age of five months and more than 50% by the age of twelve months. Infants usually grow about 10 inches during their first year, and their height at five years is usually double their birth length. Boys reach about half their adult height by the age of two.
Changes in Sleep Patterns
A baby can have a sleep pattern of 2-3 times a day for 2 hours each. Some babies can sleep 6 hours at night by six months old, but expect your baby to do at least once a night.
Feedings and Digestive Changes
After a few days, a formula baby’s bowel movements start to become yellow. This can happen once or twice a day or even more often, whereas a breastfed baby tends to have soft, seedy, yellow-green bowel movements several times a day.
Social and Cognitive Development
While a baby’s cognitive ability and senses develop, their ability to interact with the people and environment around them increases. Beginning around one to two months of age, babies will turn their heads towards and take an interest in objects and people.
Newborn to Infant: What to Expect
Feeding Patterns
Newborn’s feeding schedules change as they transition from the newborn stage.
For example:
- At 1 to 3 months: Your baby needs to nurse about 7-9 times per 24 hours.
- By 6 months: Solid foods are introduced, which means supplementing fewer feedings a day.
Sleep Changes
Your baby’s maturing can change their sleeping pattern. Development, such as pulling up to stand and rolling over, can disturb your baby’s sleep. Don’t feel discouraged if your baby, who slept through the night once, wakes up in the middle of the night. Sticking to your routine can help your baby to regain a normal sleeping pattern.
New Challenges
Life with a newborn can be challenging. Below, we’ll discuss some of the new challenges that come with a newborn to help you with each.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding can be challenging and emotionally draining. While in the hospital, get a breastfeeding consultant to show you the ropes and help you maintain a successful breastfeeding journey.
- Sleep deprivation: Adjusting to a newborn’s sleep patterns can be challenging. Remember, getting even an hour of rest while the baby sleeps is crucial for your well-being and ability to care for your little one.
- Body image: Whether it’s a normal delivery or a C-section, you always have body issues. And when having a newborn, it’s rough maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Loneliness: Giving birth to a baby can get lonely. Having a newborn who depends on you to leave the house is rough.
- Feeling overwhelmed: The feeling of a new tiny human depending on you can be rough. Overwhelming feelings will take over.
Tips for Parents Navigating the Transition
How to Establish a Bedtime Routine
Bedtime routines are a calming, soothing way to end the day with your little one. In addition to helping your baby calm down for sleep, a bedtime routine provides a great opportunity to bond with your baby.
Activities to Support Physical and Cognitive Development
Babies enjoy material books with different textures and flaps. This helps your baby with their concentration skills.
Here are some age-appropriate activities:
- Read books
- Sing songs
- Play hide and seek
- Hang a mobile with sharp contrasts and simple patterns
- Playing hide and seek with toys
FAQs
Is My Baby Developing Normally?
Babies grow at their own pace. It is important to remember that gender, genetics, nutrition, physical activity, environment, health problems, and hormones all play a role in a child’s length and weight, and these factors can vary widely from family to family. Doctors consider growth charts along with a child’s overall well-being, environment, and genetic background.
How Do I Know When My Baby Is No Longer a Newborn?
There comes a time when a baby is no longer considered a newborn. This happens after two months. However, age is just one indicator. Other changes include sleep, feeding and social behaviors.
Conclusion
An infant transitions from the newborn stage to 3 months. Some milestones indicate when the infant stage transitions. There are characteristics you have to keep in mind, such as changes in sleeping patterns and feeding time and new challenges that face you and your newborn. They need activities at different milestones and ages to support their physical and cognitive development. It includes reading books, singing songs and more.
