When your baby was born, their
weight included excess body fluid, which they lost during their first few days. All newborns lose weight during the first 7 days. Beginning once they are about 5 days old, they should start gaining weight steadily. Then, by about 2 weeks of age, they should be back at their original birth weight. Almost all babies will have regained their birth weight by 3 weeks of age.
Growth spurts in newborns
Most babies gain weight very quickly, especially during growth spurts. Typically, growth spurts happen at around 7 to 10 days old and again between 3 and 6 weeks old. The average newborn gains weight at a rate of almost an ounce (28 grams) per day. They tend to grow between 1 ½ and 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) during this month.
Your pediatrician will pay particular attention to your child's
head growth, because it reflects the growth of their brain. The bones in your
baby's skull are growing faster during the first four months than at any other time in their life. The average newborn's head circumference measures about 13 ¾ inches (35 cm), growing to about 15 inches (38 cm) by 1 month.
Stretching & rounding out
During these first weeks your baby's body gradually will straighten out from the tightly curled position they held inside the uterus. They'll stretch their arms and legs and may arch their back from time to time.
If your baby was born
vaginally and their skull appeared misshapen at birth, it will soon go back to its normal shape. Any bruising of the scalp or swelling of the eyelids that happened during birth will be gone by the end of the first week or two. Any red spots in the eyes will disappear in about 3 weeks.
Hair loss & bald spots in newborns
lou may discover that the
fine hair that covered your child's head when they were born begins falling out. If they rub the back of her head on their sleep surface, they may develop a temporary bald spot there, even if the rest of their hair remains. This loss is nothing to worry about. The bare spots will be covered with new hair in a few months.
What to know about "baby acne"
Another normal development is
baby acne—pimples that break out on the face, usually during the third to fifth week. Doctors once thought this was due to maternal hormones stimulating glands in babies' skin, but they now think it may be a normal response to bacteria and yeast on the skin, and it has been renamed neonatal cephalic pustulosis.
If your baby does have this pimply rash,
washing the face gently once a day with a mild baby soap is sufficient. The rash usually resolves on its own in a few weeks. In severe cases your pediatrician may prescribe a face cream. Drops of breast milk applied to the rash may also help.
Newborn circulation & temperature changes
Your newborn's skin also may look blotchy, ranging in color from pink to blue. Their hands and feet in particular may be colder and bluer than the rest of their body. The blood vessels leading to these areas are more sensitive to temperature changes and tend to shrink in response to cold. As a result, less blood gets to the exposed skin, causing it to look paler or bluish. If you move their arms and legs, however, you should notice that they quickly look more pink again. Your baby's mouth, lips, and tongue should always appear pinkish or reddish.
Your baby's internal "thermostat," which causes them to
sweat if too hot or shiver if too cold, won't be working properly for some time. Also, in these early weeks, they'll lack the insulating layer of fat that protect against sudden temperature shifts. That's why it's important for you to
dress them properly—warmly in cool weather and lightly when it's hot.
Note: A general rule of thumb is to dress your baby in one more layer of clothing than you would wear in the same weather conditions. Don't automatically bundle them up just because they're a baby.
When does the umbilical cord fall off?
Between 1 and 3 weeks after birth, the stump from the
umbilical cord should have dried and fallen off, leaving behind a clean, well-healed area. Occasionally a raw spot is left after the stump is gone. It may even ooze a little blood-tinged fluid. Just keep it dry and clean and it will heal by itself. If it is not completely healed and dry after 3 weeks, talk with your pediatrician.
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