Newborn development by week

A newborn’s arrival is a thrilling and frequently overwhelming event. Every moment feels significant, from the first tiny cries to the first smile. During the first few weeks of life, your baby develops new skills, grows quickly, and has a distinct personality.

Every week brings fresh progress and unexpected revelations as your infant grows accustomed to life beyond the womb. Being aware of what to anticipate in these initial weeks can make you feel more prepared and self-assured as a parent. Additionally, since you are aware of what’s around the corner, you can rejoice in each tiny victory.

This guide will take you step-by-step through the physical, emotional, and cognitive changes that your newborn will experience over the course of a week. These experiences are milestones in their development, whether it’s learning to focus their eyes or recognize your voice. Together, let’s investigate these formative years and learn how your child is developing, learning, and adjusting to their environment.

Main stages of development

The child begins the stage of adapting to new living circumstances even while he is still in the maternity hospital. At this point, every organ system in the baby adjusts to the changing environment:

• The lungs begin to work, and the blood circulation is rebuilt to function with the inclusion of the pulmonary circulation.
• The baby"s head in the first days of life is often elongated, which is associated with the flexibility of the skull bones and the passage of the baby through the birth canal. Its shape becomes correct by the age of 2 weeks. In addition, many babies develop a birth tumor on the head, which disappears without a trace after 1-2 days.
• The skin immediately after birth has a reddish tint. In many babies, from the third day it acquires a yellow tint – this is how physiological (harmless) jaundice manifests itself, which normally disappears by the age of 2 weeks.
• The nervous system is very sensitive and works actively. Various unconditioned reflexes appear, among which the main ones are search and sucking.

• Thermoregulation is still imperfect, therefore, the baby often has sharp changes in body temperature. The baby easily overheats and quickly freezes.
• A newborn has excellent hearing, smell, taste and touch. At the same time, the baby"s vision is weak, everything is blurry and blurry.
• Many babies experience slight strabismus after birth, caused by weak eye muscles. This condition goes away on its own over time.
• Urination occurs 4-6 times during the first day, and then the number of urinations per day reaches 15-20 times. In many children, on the first day, urine acquires a reddish tint, which is normal and is associated with the low water content in colostrum.
• Various microorganisms enter the baby"s intestines, which were previously completely sterile. Meconium begins to be released from the intestines (this is the name for the dark feces that has accumulated in the baby"s digestive tract by the time of birth), and then the feces become lighter and more liquid.

Publication of the well-known pediatrician E. Komarovsky’s program, which is devoted to newborns, as seen below:

The next phase of development, which starts after discharge, presents parents with a number of challenges. One such issue is colic, which typically affects a baby between two and three weeks of age.

A new mother should also anticipate challenges with lactation, which are best managed by frequent attachments.

As the newborn stage comes to an end, babies undergo noticeable changes. Their gaze becomes focused on faces and objects, postpartum swelling goes away, and their facial features become more distinct.

The baby can raise his head and move his limbs for a short while because his muscles are stronger. Additionally, the infant uses his "revitalization complex" to make his loved ones happy by recognizing their faces, moving with them, and displaying happy feelings.

Development calendar by week in the table

Age

Ability

7 days in a week

Retaining the head for a short while.

Focusing the eyes five to fifteen centimeters away.

Hand and finger closures that are not intentional.

Acknowledging the aroma of breast milk.

Blinking and closing of the eyes in response to intense light.

Revitalizing when the parents arrive.

Two weeks, or fourteen days

Gesturing at an adult, awkward winks, and amusing grimaces.

Looking up at the sound of a rattle or at the voice of one’s mother.

Focusing attention on a bright toy that is no larger than 10 cm.

21 days, or 3 weeks

Raising the head after a brief period of resting it for up to five seconds.

Identifying with mom and dad.

Observing faces and objects up to 50 centimeters away.

Freezing at the sight of something unfamiliar and sharp.

Putting hands over parents’ fingers and hair.

Revitalizing to hear a known voice.

28 days, or 4 weeks

Arms and legs moving actively.

Identifying my mother’s voice and scent.

Focusing up to one meter away on faces and objects.

Using distinct cries to convey different emotions (satisfied, happy).

Elevating the head for a maximum of five seconds while lying on the stomach.

Focusing for an extended period of time on the mother’s face or a stationary object in the field of view.

Actively observing your surroundings through an adult’s lens.

Firmly grasping an adult’s fingers.

Focusing the attention for up to seven seconds on a moving object.

First week

During the early stages of life, the mother and child get to know one another, and the baby’s primary need is to be in close proximity to her. Colostrum provides the best nutrition for the infant; however, within a few days, mature milk takes its place, adjusting to the baby’s needs.

The child does not yet have the glossy appearance of a magazine baby. After birth, the baby’s face is asymmetrical, there is frequently enlargement on the head, and the head itself is flattened and gradually elongated into an oval shape.

By the end of the first week, the skin only becomes pale and is frequently red. On the third or fifth day of life, some infants develop peeling skin on their tummies and chests. As early as the third day of life, mild jaundice is also accepted as normal.

Furthermore, during the first week, the following characteristics are observed:

• Muscle tone is increased in the first week.
• The baby has no tears in the first weeks of life, and the sweat glands are still developing (their function is established by the 7th day of life).
• There should be no plaque on the mucous membranes, it should normally be moist and pink.
• By the end of the first week, the umbilical wound dries up and tightens.
• The baby"s nose is sometimes covered with a rash in the form of small white dots.
• The baby"s heart contracts 110-170 times per minute, and the normal breathing rate per minute is 30-50 times.
• From the second or third day, instead of meconium, yellowish stool with a sour smell begins to be released about 4-5 times a day (when breastfeeding).

Watch the video to see the baby’s appearance in the initial days following birth.

Second week

This week, skin redness, swelling, and yellowing usually go away. The infant starts gaining weight, and the limb hypertonicity that is typical of a newborn child in the first month of life continues. The infant’s arms and legs continue to move erratically and uncontrollably, and he has not yet learned to hold his head up.

Additionally noted are the following nuances:

• The baby sleeps most of the day (about 16-20 hours).
• Thermoregulation has not yet been established.
• The palms and feet are covered with dry skin.
• The nails are growing, so they already need to be trimmed.
• The skin of many children begins to peel.
• There are at least 15 urinations per day.
• The baby"s intestines are emptied 3-4 times a day, and the feces are mushy, yellow.

Third week

A toddler older than two weeks old already has less erratic limb movements, and most babies in their third week of life have a reformed skull.

The baby is becoming more and more active, and many kids get cranky in the evenings from all the new experiences.

The baby’s cry develops intonation and becomes louder and more demanding when they are worried about something.

A child in their third week of life will also have the following traits:

• The baby"s sense of smell becomes sharper.
• The baby begins to feel the balance and position of his own body in space.
• There are at least 10-12 meals with breastfeeding at this age.
• The toddler begins to recognize the faces and voices of loved ones.
• The daily routine is just being established, the baby still spends most of the day sleeping.

At this age, bowel movements happen two to eight times a day. The stool that comes from nursing is yellow, has the consistency of mustard, and smells like buttermilk. When a baby is fed formula, they poop one to four times a day, and their feces have a brownish tint, an unpleasant odor, and are darker and harder.

Fourth week

This week the baby is developing quickly. The infant is observing his toys, smiling at his parents, and starting to coo. He is also becoming more and more accustomed to his surroundings. In the fourth week of life, a child sleeps 17–19 hours a day and needs to be fed at least 6-7 times.

The following characteristics of development are observed:

• The baby"s legs and arms are still bent, and the fists are clenched.
• The baby has not yet learned to coordinate his movements well.
• The baby is actively learning to hold his head up.
• When unhappy, the baby cries loudly and moves abruptly, for example, kicks his legs when he is bothered by colic.
• Most babies have blue eyes, but with age they can change color.
• Vision is not yet fully developed, so it is difficult for the baby to concentrate his gaze.
• Tears begin to flow.

Week	Development Highlights
Week 1	Baby is adapting to life outside the womb, learning to breathe, eat, and sleep.
Week 2	Baby starts recognizing the parent"s voice and may show more alertness.
Week 3	Baby"s neck muscles are getting stronger, may start to lift their head briefly.
Week 4	Baby begins to focus on faces and follow objects with their eyes.
Week 5	Baby may start cooing and making more sounds, beginning of social smiling.
Week 6	Baby"s sleep patterns may start to change, longer periods of wakefulness.

It’s an exciting and happy journey to watch your newborn grow and change each week. New achievements are reached every week, ranging from the first grins and coos to the mastery of critical motor abilities. It’s crucial to keep in mind that each baby is different and may accomplish these milestones at their own speed. You don’t have to worry if your child isn’t developing according to the precise schedule you had anticipated.

It is your responsibility as a parent to create a loving, caring environment for your child that promotes development. Talking, singing, and gentle play with your newborn promotes healthy development and strengthens your bond. Remember to look after yourself as well; when you’re well-rested and have support, you’re able to provide the best care possible for others.

Never be afraid to contact your pediatrician if you have any worries about your child’s development. Throughout this journey, they are there to support you and your child at every turn. Keep in mind that this period of time is short; treasure each second, recognize every little victory, and take pleasure in watching your child learn about the world.

Parents and other caregivers can better appreciate the remarkable changes that occur in a baby’s early weeks of life when they are aware of newborn development on a week-by-week basis. Every week brings new developmental milestones and chances for bonding and growth, from minuscule reflexes and early sensory awareness to the first smiles and sounds. In order to help families feel more connected, knowledgeable, and confident in their ability to support their newborn’s journey through these priceless early days, this guide offers a clear overview of what to expect.

Video on the topic

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