It’s a question that has puzzled many parents – when does the newborn stage end? Is it at one month, two months, or something else entirely? The answer may surprise you. Babies are considered to be in the newborn stage until they are about two months old. After that, they are considered to be infants. This determination is made by doctors based on weight, height, and other developmental milestones. Keep this in mind the next time someone asks you how old your baby is!
When is baby no longer a newborn?
The answer to this question is not always clear-cut, as every baby is different.
However, most babies are considered to be newborns until they reach about two months of age.
After that, they are usually referred to as infants.
Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule.
Some babies may continue to be classified as newborns until they are three or four months old. And in rare cases, a baby may even be considered a newborn until they are six months old.
If you’re ever unsure about whether your baby is still a newborn or not, the best thing to do is ask your pediatrician for guidance. They will be able to give you a more specific answer based on your child’s individual development.
What’s next after the newborn stage?
Babies grow and develop quickly in the first year of life. Here are some things to expect in the coming months:
- By two months, babies can usually hold their head up and may start to smile.
- Three-month-olds can often grip a toy or rattle and may begin to babble.
- Four-month-olds can roll over both ways, sit with support, and laugh out loud. They might also start teething.
- Five-month-olds can hold their head up well, sit without support, and play peekaboo.
- Six-month-olds can usually sit without support, turn around, and babble with inflection (changes in pitch to convey meaning).
- Seven- to nine-month-olds can usually crawl and pull to stand.
- Ten- to twelve-month-olds can walk while holding on to furniture, begin to use simple words, and feed themselves small snacks.
During this time, it is important to provide opportunities for your baby to practice these new skills. You can do this by:
- Playing with your baby several times a day.
- Providing age-appropriate toys such as Rattles, Board Books, Soft Balls, Stacking Cups, and Push Toys.
- Taking your baby for walks in the stroller or carrying them in a Baby Carrier.
- Going to Baby Storytime at the library.
- Attending a Playgroup or Parent-Child Class.
Is the newborn phase hard?
The newborn phase is can be somewhat cumbersome.
You’re sleep-deprived, you’re hormonal, and you’re trying to figure out how to be a parent. But it’s also amazing. You’re getting to know this tiny human, and you’re falling in love with them every day.
So what can you do to make the newborn phase a little easier?
First, take care of yourself. Get as much sleep as you can (even if it means sleeping when your baby sleeps), eat healthy meals, and take some time for yourself every day.
Second, reach out for help when you need it. Whether it’s hiring a postpartum doula or asking your partner to pitch in more around the house, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
And finally, remember that this phase is only temporary. It might feel like it’s never going to end, but one day you’ll wake up and your baby will be a little bit bigger and a little bit more independent. And you’ll miss those early days. So savor them, even when they’re tough.
If you’re finding the newborn phase tough, know that you’re not alone. And reach out for help if you need it. We can all get through this together.
9 signs your baby is no longer a newborn
The newborn stage is a special time for both parents and baby. But it doesn’t last forever. Here are ten signs that your baby is no longer a newborn:
- Your baby is sleeping less during the day and more at night. Newborns typically sleep 16 to 17 hours a day, but by two months old, they usually only sleep 13 to 14 hours a day.
- Your baby’s skin is no longer as red and blotchy. During the first few weeks of life, babies often have red, blotchy skin due to their immature circulation system. By six to eight weeks old, their skin should start to look more pink and smooth.
- Your baby’s umbilical cord stump has fallen off. The umbilical cord stump usually falls off within one to two weeks after birth.
- Your baby is no longer losing weight. Most babies lose about five to seven percent of their birth weight in the first week of life. By two weeks old, they should start gaining weight again.
- Your baby’s head is no longer shaped like a cone. During the birthing process, many babies’ heads become temporarily misshapen. This condition, called molding, usually corrects itself within a few days or weeks.
- Your baby can hold his or her head up for short periods of time. At birth, most babies can barely lift their heads up at all. But by six to eight weeks old, they should be able to hold their heads up for short periods of time.
- Your baby is beginning to show interest in the world around him or her. At first, newborns are mostly interested in eating and sleeping. But by eight weeks old, they should start showing interest in the world around them, such as by looking at objects and people.
- Your baby is making cooing and gurgling sounds. Newborns typically make grunting noises. But by two months old, they usually start making cooing and gurgling sounds.
- Your baby’s stools are no longer black and tarry. During the first few days of life, babies often have black, sticky stools, called meconium. By one to two weeks old, their stools should start to look lighter in color and less sticky.
If you’re noticing any of these changes in your baby, it’s a good sign that he or she is no longer a newborn! Of course, every baby develops at his or her own pace, so if you’re ever concerned about your child’s development, be sure to talk to your doctor.
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