Month 1
Key points
- Mum’s nutrition is important to support the baby’s development as well as her well-being.
- Baby experiences significant growth in month one, such as focusing on faces and lifting their head.
- Every baby develops differently, but general milestones include increased alertness and responsiveness.
Congratulations on your newborn! The first four weeks of your baby’s life are filled with getting to know your little one, learning to live on broken sleep and watching in awe as they quickly grow and change.
Read on to discover what to expect during these exciting early weeks, including nutrition and feeding tips for you and your new addition, and 1 month baby milestones.
The first month of your new baby’s life is incredibly exciting, yet can be a bit of a whirlwind – all at the same time!
During the first few weeks, your baby sleeps around 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period. It may seem like you are on a never-ending rollercoaster of eating, sleeping and nappy changes. There are a lot of changes taking place – some you’ll be able to see and some you won’t!
You might start to predict your baby’s sleep and wake windows as well as their feeding routine. Things that comfort them – like rocking, swaddling, or being outside in the fresh air – may become more obvious, and you might also start to recognise what their different cries mean.
Welcome to the Club!
Congratulations, as parents and carers YOU make all this magic happen! You might wonder where the days go as you cycle through the feed–sleep routine of these early weeks, but taking care of Mum and Dad’s health and well-being is vital in this postpartum period.
Rest when you can, fuel your bodies with nourishment and don’t stress about the mess. Be kind and patient with each other, and say YES to every offer of help you get.
Nutrition in the First Month
No matter how you choose to feed your baby, trust yourself and know you’re giving your little one the best start in life. A baby grows so much in the first few weeks and it’s all thanks to the amazing nourishment and care you’re providing. At one month old, your baby’s nutrition may come exclusively from breast milk.
Feeding Your Baby From Day One
Breast milk is the ideal first food for your baby, however, breastfeeding can take time to establish, so hang in there! There are many benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child. For baby, these include supporting their immune system and may reduce the risk of several health issues including asthma, eczema, ear infections, and even development of Type-2 diabetes later in life. The incidence of SIDS may also be reduced in breastfed infants. For Mum, breastfeeding may help to enhance the bonding and connection with your baby and it may lower the risk of developing postnatal depression. It also helps your uterus contract back to its pre-pregnancy size. Aside from the health benefits, breastfeeding is free and easily portable!
When breast milk is not an option, infant formula is the only suitable alternative. Infant formulas have been specially developed to provide essential nutrients and some formulas contain additional ingredients to support your little one. Rest assured that the composition of all infant formulas sold in Australia must comply with the strict standards set by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ). If you’re concerned about your baby’s feeding, general well-being or growth, talk to your doctor, maternal health nurse or other healthcare professional.
Breast Milk Facts
- The composition of breast milk is dynamic and changes as your baby does, adapting to their needs as they grow.
- Early breast milk is high in whey protein, which is easily digested, and also casein, a protein that provides a slow, steady release of amino acids.
- The fats in breast milk provide roughly 50% of a baby’s energy requirements and some fats like DHA help support brain and eye development, while SN-2 Palmitate has been shown to soften stools and plays a role in calcium absorption.
- At the start of a feed, ‘foremilk’ is lactose-rich and also quenches a baby’s thirst; the hindmilk at the end of a feed, is creamy and higher in fat.
- Breast milk contains important active substances such as immunoglobulins, which provide immune protection.
Mum’s Nutritional Tip:
Keep your energy levels up with small, nutrient-packed snacks like yogurt, fruits or nuts. For breastfeeding mums, eating foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids – salmon, flaxseeds and walnuts – can help support your baby’s brain development. Staying hydrated helps maintain your milk supply. It’s a good idea to have a bottle of water to hand when you sit down to feed your baby: it can help with the milk letdown, as well as keep you hydrated. You should aim for at least eight ‘cups’ of water a day. All fluids count as ‘water’ but try to avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks that fill you up and may stop you from eating nutritious foods.
Good Fats
As well as the fats in breast milk providing energy for your baby to grow, they also play an important role in helping the absorption of essential vitamins A, D, E and K. About 95% of the fats in breast milk are in the form of triglycerides, which are three fatty acids grouped together. One of the main fatty acids is Palmitic acid and its second position – the SN-2 position – in the triglyceride is highly important. It helps with the absorption of calcium, and also helps soften poo, which is one reason breastfed infants may experience less constipation.
Poo Time!
Did you know that In the first few weeks, the average breastfed baby may poo three times a day? Some babies might poo after each feed and some others may go up to 10 days without a bowel motion – which may be normal for your baby. However, if you are ever concerned, check with your healthcare professional.
You may notice your baby’s bowel movements change colour as they grow: from mustard yellow to green/gold or brown. Newborn baby poo may be thick, lumpy or runny. Again, this may be normal for your infant and it’s worth noting that diarrhoea is uncommon in breastfed babies.
If you’re mixed feeding or topping up with infant formula, you may find your baby’s poo changes. They may become firmer and more formed and they may smell different, too.
Weight and Height of Four-Week-Old Baby
While still small, your baby will likely have grown a lot since birth – just look back at those photos! Depending on their birth weight and height, your one-month-old may:
- Weigh about 4.2 kg (girl) or about 4.5 kg (boy)
- Be about 53.7 cm tall (girl) or about 54.7 cm tall (boy)
Baby’s Mental & Visual Milestones at One Month
Your baby is already learning about the world around them. There’s no question that their eyes are closed a lot in the first few weeks but there’s still a lot of development happening behind the scenes. Your one-month-old may:
- Be alert to sounds
- Recognise faces
Did you know…? Babies can only see about eight inches in front of them, which is roughly the distance between their face and their parents during feeding.
Motor Development at Month One
It’s important to remember that all babies are different, but at one month, your baby may:
- Bring both hands within range of eyes and mouth
- Keep hands in tight fists
Tummy time isn’t just for older babies. You can start just a few days after they are born and tummy time helps your baby with their neck strength and build on those muscles needed to reach later development milestones, such as rolling over and sitting up.
Social Development of Your One-Month-Old
Your little one’s sleep is a priority for them right now. However, when they are awake, the attention you give them is great stimulation. They may:
- Become more alert and responsive to people
- Stop crying when picked up and spoken to
- Start to smile, although perhaps not deliberately
Don’t Forget!
It’s important to remember that every baby develops at their own rate. Regular checkups with your health nurse or GP will be able to ensure your baby is on track – but always get in touch with them sooner if you have any concerns. For extra resources, you can also head to Karitane or Tresillian online.
What’s Next?
From four to eight weeks, your baby goes through lots of exciting changes that may include grabbing for objects, sucking on their fingers and tracking you with their eyes. Plus, nutrition tips to support new parents.
Read on to learn about your baby’s development milestones and nutritional needs in month two.
We are here to support you on your journey
Making decisions around infant feeding can be challenging and we hope we can help you through this journey.
Our company has voluntarily signed the industry code of Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas (‘The MAIF Agreement’). As part of this commitment, we want to make sure you are informed and supported.
Before and during breastfeeding, it is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet and it is recommended to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of age, as it provides ideal nutrition and promotes a healthy start in life.
We understand breastfeeding is not always possible, and when necessary, infant formula is the most suitable alternative to breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle-feeding may interfere with breastfeeding your infant and it can be hard to reverse. Other considerations include the social and financial implications of feeding infant formula. We want to make sure your baby is as safe as possible, so please refer to the preparation and storage instructions for safe use of infant formula and be aware that any unnecessary or improper use of infant formula may cause health hazards for your baby.
Your choice, our support, always. With love.
If you require further information, consult your healthcare professional or learn more about the benefits of breast milk.
