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A 1 month old baby is a little more active than a newborn and can lift his head for a short time when placed on his stomach. During this phase, the baby is also able to follow movements close to him and fix it to a luminous point.
At this age, babies usually get a lot of sleep, sleeping around 16 hours a day and usually wake up around 2 to 3 times to suckle or when they pee or poop.
Baby at 1 month should be fed exclusively with breast milk and on demand, which is when the baby wants to breastfeed. In situations where the mother cannot breastfeed, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends the use of infant formula, according to the pediatrician's recommendations.
It's important to remember that every baby is unique and has its own pace of growth, sleep, and playtime. Therefore, in cases of doubts about the baby's development, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician.
Baby weight
The following table indicates the ideal baby weight range for this age, as well as other parameters such as height and head circumference, according to the World He alth Organization:
|
Boys |
Girls |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Weight |
3.8 to 5.0 kg | 3, 2 to 4.8 kg |
|
Stature |
50.9 to 58.5 cm | 49.9 to 57.5 cm |
|
Head circumference |
36 to 38.5 cm | 35.4 to 37.5 cm |
|
Monthly weight gain |
700 g | 700 g |
If the baby has values above or below those indicated, it is recommended to consult the pediatrician to assess the child's development.
Baby sleep
Baby at 1 month sleep lasts around 16 hours a day and they may wake up 2 to 3 times due to some discomfort, such as hunger or when they pee or poop.
Some babies tend to “change day for night”, which is common at this age because they still don't have schedules. Some suggestions to help regulate the baby's sleep at this stage are:
- If the baby wakes up too early, try to keep him in the crib so he sleeps a little longer;
- Keep the room a little darker, so as not to wake the baby;
- Reduce noise at home;
- Let the baby sleep in its own crib;
- Give the last meal at bedtime.
In addition, it is also important to maintain the same routine before bed so the baby gets used to the sleep schedule.
Baby Feeding
According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, a 1-month-old baby should be fed exclusively with breast milk, which must be offered on demand, which is when the baby wants to breastfeed.
Exclusive breastfeeding with breast milk is recommended up to 6 months, as breast milk contains all the nutrients and water that the baby needs. In addition, the World He alth Organization recommends offering breast milk up to 2 years of age or older, when possible.
However, if the mother cannot breastfeed the baby, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends the use of infant formula, which must follow the pediatrician's instructions regarding the amount and type of formula. Learn about the different types of infant formula.
It is worth remembering that babies who are fed with infant formula need to drink 700 ml of water a day, distributed between the water used in the preparation of infant formula and the pure water, filtered or boiled, throughout the day, to avoid constipation and kidney overload.
Baby development
Baby at 1 month sees up to 30 cm away, following objects and people that move around him and fixing his gaze on bright and flashy objects. To say that she wants something or that something is bothering her, the baby usually expresses herself through crying.
In addition, the baby perceives and moves to follow the origin of different types of sounds and usually prefers the higher sounds.
The baby at this age already has the palm reflex, which is when he can hold more firmly what is placed in his hand.
At 1 month, the baby raises his head briefly when lying on his stomach, even if he still cannot support it. At this stage, the baby also starts to make some sounds, with babbling and squeaking.
See, in the following video, how to stimulate the baby's development:
Baby toys
Playing games for a 1-month-old baby is simple and important to improve the affective bond with parents or guardians and stimulate the child's cognitive development.
To stimulate the baby, parents or guardians can hold their hand and open their fingers carefully or pass their hand on the baby's hand, letting the baby hold one of the fingers, always looking at the baby, talking or singing during play. It is important to wash your hands before starting this game, as the baby may want to put the person's fingers in their mouth.
Another interesting game is to put a bell, or bracelet that makes some noise tied to the wrist, and calmly pass your hands close to the baby's face so that he tries to follow the image and the sounds. This game usually encourages the baby to hold the hands of the person who is playing.
Baby at 1 month can go for walks in open places such as parks or squares, but it is recommended that walks be done before 10:00 or after 16:00. However, it is not recommended to expose the baby at 1 month of age directly to the sun, in the same way that sunscreen or sunscreen should not be applied at this stage, and the use of umbrellas, hats and protective clothing is recommended.
