Child Health: Newborn to 1 Month (Child Development Information) - Child Development

Newborn to 1 Month

PHYSICAL HEALTH
As the parent of a newborn, it's helpful to brush up on some baby basics as well as pay attention to several important aspects of your baby's health. In addition to your own observations, be sure to take your baby for regular well-baby check-ups.

Newborn skin. At birth, a baby's skin is typically covered by a white substance called vernix that is easily washed away with the first bath. However, there are several other common newborn skin conditions that are useful to know about:

Dry peeling skin is very common, especially with overdue babies. It is generally harmless and goes away on its own.
Baby acne. Most people find breaking out with pimples to be disconcerting, but it can be particularly upsetting to new parents when their baby develops acne. The good news is that this condition, which typically occurs towards the end of the first month and is caused by exposure to Mom's hormones before birth, doesn't last long. Treatment generally requires nothing more than a wet washcloth.
Bruising of a newborn's skin (most often during delivery) may take a while to go away. While it may be unsightly, it, too, is generally harmless. If a baby has a significant amount of bruising, however, it is a good idea to keep a closer eye out for the appearance of jaundice.
Downy body hair, typically found on the back or shoulders, may stay for a week or two.

Jaundice describes the yellowish coloration of the skin that occurs in some newborns during the first several days or week of life. Parents should always discuss jaundice with their baby's doctor, since it may require treatment. Also, while the causes of jaundice are most often harmless, on occasion it can occur due to a more serious underlying problem.

Umbilical cord. To the extent that it's possible, umbilical cord stumps should be kept clean and dry. They typically fall off within the first month of life. When they do, they can occasionally have a little associated bleeding. Any umbilical cord that is oozing, red, smelly, bleeding, or hasn't fallen off within a month, however, should be evaluated by a health care professional.

Growth. Following a baby's growth is one of the best ways to know that she is healthy and doing well. Early on, babies gain a tremendous amount of weight — on average, half an ounce to 1 ounce a day, and two pounds per month! As their bodies grow, so do their heads. The fact that the bones of the skull aren't yet fused together allows a baby's head circumference to increase by as much as an half an inch per month. If a baby's weight or head size does not seem to be increasing as expected, then he needs to be evaluated by his doctor.

Crying. The fact is, babies cry. As a parent, the trick is to figure out why. Sometimes, a baby will cry because he is hungry. At other times, his cries may be due to overstimulation, pain, a dirty diaper, or fatigue. And sometimes you just won't be able to figure out exactly why, but rocking, swaddling, singing, rubbing his back, or simply offering a pacifier will stop the crying. Inconsolable crying that seems to occur at the same time each day, most commonly in the late afternoon or evening, is called colic. About 20 percent of all babies develop colic, generally between the ages of two and four weeks. While we do not have a good explanation for why colic occurs (and therefore, no clear answer as to what to do about it), the good news is that it generally goes away on its own around 3 to 4 months of age, and does not seem to result in any harm to the baby. Before deciding a baby is colicky, it is important that she be checked by her doctor to rule out any medical cause for the crying.

Body Temperature and Fever. Young infants do not control their body temperatures as well as adults do. Their hands and feet can quickly become mottled or even bluish when they are cold, and they may feel excessively warm after only a short time if bundled too snugly or after being out in warm weather. Quite often, simply unbundling or warming them up will bring an otherwise healthy baby's body temperature back to normal. However, it is especially important for the parents of newborns to recognize fever. This is because newborns do not fight infection as well as older children, and fever can be a sign of infection. In general, it is best to avoid bringing them in contact with friends and family who are sick — especially if they have a fever. Remember that many illnesses are spread by direct contact; making sure that people wash hands and cover their mouths and noses can decrease the likelihood that a baby will become sick. When fever is a concern in a newborn, it is important to take the temperature with a thermometer — preferably a rectal one — and discuss the situation with a doctor.

Urine and Bowel Movements. While at the hospital, newborns are closely observed to make sure they start urinating and pass their first bowel movement. The first urine a baby passes usually looks normal, but occasionally newborns pass pinkish crystals of a substance called urate. Babies normally urinate 6-10 times a day — a sign that they are drinking enough and their kidneys are functioning well. For breastfed babies, the frequency may be less in the first several days until their mothers' milk supply comes in. In addition to urine, it is important to pay attention to a baby's bowel movements. A newborn's first stool is blackish and sticky. This early stool, called meconium, is gradually replaced (usually within a few days) by normal, greenish, or yellowish stools. Breastfed babies, in particular, tend to have several mustard-colored, loosely formed or even watery stools a day — sometimes after every feeding. Constipation or going days without a bowel movement does not normally occur in the first month, and should be discussed with a pediatrician.

Common Newborn Behaviors
Hiccups. Hiccups are fairly common during the newborn period. Some babies get them even before they are born. Just as with many other newborn reflexes, they tend to become less frequent and go away over the first weeks (or months) of life.

The Startle (Moro) Reflex. It doesn't take the parents of newborns long to become acquainted with this reflex, since it is so commonly displayed during the first month of life. When a newborn is startled, he will stiffen and extend his arms and legs, and then quickly bring his arms together in front of his chest. Crying often accompanies this particular reflex.

The Grasp Reflex. Newborns can't intentionally grasp or pick up objects, but the grasp reflex allows them to hold on to a small object (or an adult's finger) when it is placed in the palms of their hands.

The Rooting Reflex. When you stroke a newborn's cheek near the side of the mouth very lightly, it will cause him to open his mouth and turn his head towards the side that was stroked. This reflex is especially useful to know about when attempting to get a baby to latch on to a nipple — either breast or bottle — and start feeding.

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