Infant Play
Hang brightly colored objects near your newborn. Sing and talk to your baby. Rock your baby, and take him or her for walks.
The Growing Child: Newborn
In the first month of life, babies usually catch up and surpass their birthweight, then steadily continue to gain weight.
Newborn - Reflexes
The root reflex begins when the corner of the baby's mouth is stroked or touched. The baby will turn his or her head and open his or her mouth. This helps the baby find the breast or bottle to begin feeding.
Newborn - Senses
Babies are born with the ability to focus only at close range—about eight to 10 inches, or the distance between a mother's face to the baby in her arms.
Newborn - Sleep Patterns
The average newborn sleeps much of the day and night, waking only for feedings every few hours.
Newborn - Crying
Crying is the way babies communicate. They cry because of hunger, discomfort, frustration, fatigue, and even loneliness.
Newborn Appearance
A baby's skin coloring can vary greatly, depending on the baby's age, race or ethnic group, temperature, and whether or not the baby is crying. Skin color in babies often changes with both the environment and health.
Anatomy: Fetus in Utero
A thin-walled sac surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. The sac is filled with amniotic fluid, which protects the fetus from injury.