The arrival of a newborn is an exhilarating experience for parents and families. From the first cry to their tiny fingers and toes, every moment with a newborn is precious. But as time passes by, the question arises: When is a baby no longer a newborn? There’s no doubt that this can be confusing, especially for new parents. In this blog post, we’ll explore just how long you can refer to your baby as a newborn and what developmental milestones they will achieve during this time. So let’s dive in!
A newborn Baby
A newborn is a baby who is born up to 28 days old. Newborns have very delicate skin and are still developing their immune systems, so they need to be protected from infection. They also need to be fed frequently and sleep a lot.
The first few weeks after your baby is born are crucial for both of you. This is a time when you’re getting to know each other and bonding as a family. Your baby is learning to feed, sleep and poop on a regular schedule. You’re probably not getting much sleep, but those around-the-clock feedings give you plenty of time to snuggle.
Most newborns lose weight in the first week after birth, but they start to gain it back by the second week. By the end of the first month, they usually weigh about 6 to 8 ounces more than they did at birth.
Newborns grow quickly, but not at a steady pace. They may have growth spurts at different times during the first year. During these spurts, which usually last a few days, your baby may nurse more often or sleep less.
You’ll probably notice that your baby has his or her own unique personality from the start. Newborns can be calm and content one minute and fussy the next.
Don’t worry if your newborn seems fussy at times. It’s normal for babies to cry for up to three hours a day during the first six weeks of life. And it’s also normal for them to cluster feed—feed more frequently for several hours—and then space out their feedings over the course of a day or two.
Physical and Developmental Changes During the First Month
During the first month, your baby will grow and change rapidly. They will double their birth weight, and their length will increase by 50%. Their head circumference will also increase, but at a slower rate than their length. Their skin will become less wrinkled and more smooth as they fill out.
Your baby’s senses will also continue to develop during the first month. By the end of the month, they should be able to see fairly well and focus on objects that are about 8-10 inches away from their face. They will also be more responsive to sounds and may startle at loud noises.
In terms of physical development, your baby will learn to control their head and neck muscles better and will be able to lift their head up for short periods of time. They will also start to reach for objects with their hands and feet.
Cognitive Development of Newborns
During the first four weeks of life, newborns sleep a lot—16 to 17 hours a day. But they are also alert and active for brief periods. They tend to be most active during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Newborns’ eyesight is not very good. They see objects best when they are about 8 to 12 inches away.
Most newborns can turn their heads toward sounds by the end of their first week of life. By 2 weeks, they can usually follow a moving object with their eyes and hold their head up for short periods of time while lying on their stomachs. During the next few weeks, they learn to lift their heads and chests when lying on their stomachs and to hold their heads steady when sitting upright.
Newborns have a strong sucking reflex and can grasp with their hands. These are called primitive reflexes because all babies have them. As newborns get older, they lose these reflexes as they learn new skills such as reaching for objects.
How Long is a Baby Considered a Newborn?
A baby is typically considered a newborn from birth until anywhere from two to four weeks old. During this time, they will have their first doctor’s appointment and will start to gain weight and grow more hair. Babies at this age sleep a lot, eat often, and cry quite a bit as they adjust to life outside of the womb.
Difference Between Infant and Baby
The terms “infant” and “baby” are often used interchangeably, but there is technically a difference between the two. An infant is a child under the age of one year old, while a baby can be any age from birth to two years old. So, all babies are infants, but not all infants are babies.
newborns are considered infants during their first few months of life. After they reach 4-6 months old, they are no longer considered newborns and enter the infant stage. Infants are characterized by their rapidly growing brains and bodies, their increasing ability to communicate and connect with others, and their exploring nature.
During the baby stage, from 6-24 months old, babies become more mobile and begin to explore their surroundings more. They also start to develop a sense of self and begin to understand the concept of object permanence (that objects still exist even when they can’t see them).
Alternatives to Labeling a Baby as a Newborn
There are a few alternatives to labeling a baby as a newborn. One alternative is to label the baby according to their gestational age. This means that instead of saying the baby is a newborn, you would say the baby is X weeks old or Y months old. Another alternative is to label the baby according to their developmental stage. This means that you would describe the baby as being in the infant stage, rather than calling them a newborn.
You may also choose to not label the baby at all and just refer to them as your child. This is perfectly fine and ultimately up to you as the parent.
Conclusion
Even though newborns have been around since the dawn of time, it’s still difficult to tell exactly when a baby is no longer considered a newborn. Generally, most doctors and experts agree that after 4-6 weeks in age, your baby is no longer in their newborn stage. However, this may vary for some families depending on the specific needs and growth patterns of each individual child. Ultimately what matters most is that you provide your new little one with all the love and care they need during these important early months as they grow into toddlers.
