

Your baby knows how to eat! But it still takes practice to get enough milk. Your baby will start sucking when anything is placed in their mouth. Newborns can have these reactions even during sleep, but the reflex goes away after three to six months. The Moro reflex causes your baby to automatically arch their back, extend their arms and legs, and sometimes cry out when they sense a loud noise or a sudden movement. Your baby is brand-new, and their main job is learning how to live outside the womb.īut generally speaking, here are a few newborn milestones that you can look forward to (and several cool reflexes your baby is born with): These things are crucial to master, so you won't see a lot of specific developmental milestones just yet.

The three big activities for newborns are eating, sleeping, and pooping. Don't worry over the coming weeks and months, your baby will stretch out little by little.
Newborn black baby skin#
The skin may darken and reach its natural color in the first two to three weeks, though this process can take longer – even a few years – for darker-skinned children.īecause they were curled up inside your uterus until very recently, your newborn will probably look scrunched up for a while, with their arms and legs not fully extended. Because your baby's circulation is still maturing, their tiny hands and feet may look blue for a few days, too.Īt first, your child's skin is likely to be a shade or two lighter than their eventual skin color. (That's true for babies of all races and ethnicities.) The pink tint comes from the red blood vessels that are visible through your baby's still-thin skin. In addition to a pointy head, your newborn may have swollen genitals and breasts (caused by hormones from Mom just before birth) and reddish-purple skin that changes to pinkish-red in a day or so. It will return to its original shape in a week or two. If you had a vaginal birth, your baby's head may look misshapen or kind of pointy. Few newborns look like beauty contest winners, which isn't surprising when you consider what they've been through. Your baby's developmentįirst off, it's perfectly normal if your newborn looks funny. The earlier a missed milestone is identified, the easier it will be to address. But talk with your child's provider about any concerns you have. This helps establish trust between you and your little one, and is the primary foundation of healthy development.Īll babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. The most important thing you can do for your newborn is to respond promptly when your baby cries or is in distress. We have plenty of articles and tools to refresh your memory and offer you new tips, but here's our best advice: Don't try to master the art of caring for a baby all at once. No doubt you've been reading up on what to do and how to do it. This month, reality sets in – you have a baby! Your little one is all yours, they're home with you, and they're dependent on you for love, care, and feeding.
