Your baby in the first month
In short
- Most newborns sleep around 16 hours a day, in short stretches around feeds; every baby finds their own pattern.
- Breast milk or infant formula is everything they need. No other food, and no drink either.
What does a day look like in the first month?
A guide, not a schedule: every baby finds their own rhythm.
- Sleep
Some newborns sleep around 8 hours a day in all, others up to around 18, in short or long stretches. Both are normal.
- The night
Waking in the night is normal well into the first year and beyond, and babies vary enormously. Always put them to sleep on their back, in their own clear, flat sleep space, which is the safest setup.
- Milk and food
Feeds as often as they ask. Solids given before 4 months bring no benefit and can do harm.
- Play
A little and often, building up from a few minutes a few times a day while she is awake and watched. It strengthens the neck, shoulders and back for rolling and sitting. Short bursts on your chest count too.
Checked against NHS (nhs.uk), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, checked on 12 October 2026
“always place your baby on their back to sleep in the feet-to-foot position - this means with their feet at the bottom of the cot, Moses basket or pram”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“use a firm, flat mattress”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“keep your baby's cot clear of anything that could cover their face and head - do not use pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets, soft toys or anything to keep your baby in place, like pods or nests”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“making sure the baby sleeps on a firm, flat mattress, lying face up (rather than face down or on their side)”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“not having pillows or duvets near the baby”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“always putting them to sleep flat on their back on a firm flat mattress, and putting them on their back again if they roll over”
NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), read on 12 October 2026“always putting your baby to sleep in a clear, flat, separate sleep space”
NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), read on 12 October 2026“removing any bumpers, pillows or soft toys from the cot as these can cause your baby to overheat or affect your baby's breathing if they're too close to their face”
NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), read on 12 October 2026“Put your baby on their BACK for every sleep, never on their front”
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, read on 12 October 2026“Put your baby in a CLEAR, FLAT, FIRM, SEPARATE sleep space.”
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, read on 12 October 2026
Checked against NHS, checked on 1 October 2026
One official page, quoted word for word; a second publisher is not recorded yet.
“Some newborns may sleep for a total of around 8 hours a day, while others may sleep up to around 18 hours a day - either is perfectly normal.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Your baby may sleep in short or long bursts.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Only do tummy time when your baby is awake and alert, and you're there to keep an eye on them.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Tummy time helps strengthen the back, neck and shoulders, as well as giving them a different view of the world!”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Some soon sleep through the night, while some do not for a long time.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“make sure they sleep on a firm, flat mattress lying on their back”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“keep your baby's cot clear of anything that could cover their face and head”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“You can start doing tummy time from birth by lying your baby on your chest (but only do this when you are wide awake and unlikely to fall asleep).”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Try doing this every day, for a short amount of time, you'll gradually build tummy time until your baby is used to it.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026
Written against NHS (your baby’s first solid foods)
What happens in the first weeks?
Week 1: Their weight
It’s normal to lose some weight in the first few days. Most babies are back to their birth weight by 3 weeks.
Week 2: The cord stump
The cord stump usually takes about a week to dry out and drop off. Keep it clean and dry until it does.
Week 3: So much sleep
Some newborns sleep around 8 hours a day in all, others up to around 18, in short or long stretches. Both are normal.
Week 4: Your face, up close
Your baby sees best up close, around 30 cm: about where your face is when you hold them. And they already know your voices.
Week 5: Crying
Many babies cry more from around 2 weeks old, and it usually eases, little by little, at around 3 months.
Checked against NHS (nhs.uk), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), checked on 12 October 2026
“It's normal for babies to lose some weight in the first few days after birth.”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“Most babies are at, or above, their birthweight by 3 weeks.”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“Some weight loss in the first days after birth (referred to in this guideline as the early days of life) is normal and usually relates to body fluid adjustments.”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“most infants have returned to their birth weight by 3 weeks of age.”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026
Checked against NHS, Ready to Relate (NHS), checked on 1 October 2026
One official page, quoted word for word; a second publisher is not recorded yet.
“It's normal for babies to lose some weight in the first few days after birth.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Most babies are at, or above, their birthweight by 3 weeks.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Your newborn's umbilical cord takes about a week to dry out and drop off. Keep it clean and dry until it does.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Some newborns may sleep for a total of around 8 hours a day, while others may sleep up to around 18 hours a day - either is perfectly normal.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Your baby may sleep in short or long bursts.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Although newborn babies' vision is a bit blurry when looking at far away things, they can focus really well at around 30 cm, that means they can see your face really well when you hold them in your arms.”
Ready to Relate (NHS), read on 1 October 2026“Babies in the womb are aware of sounds, touch and movement and will recognise familiar smells and sounds as soon as they are born, including your voice.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“The amount babies cry tends to increase when they're around 2 weeks old and then gradually reduces at around 3 months old.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026
What is your baby learning in the first month?
A champion sleeper
Most newborns sleep around 16 hours a day, in short stretches around feeds; every baby finds their own pattern.
Made to see your face
Newborns see best at 20 to 30 cm, roughly the distance to your face during a feed, and they already know your voices and your smell.
Holding on tight
Place a finger in that little palm and it closes around it: the grasp reflex, there from day one.
Coming in the next months
- ConnectionFirst smile1 to 3 months
- ConnectionFirst laugh3 to 5 months
When to ask a professional
If your baby has lost a skill they could do before, or you are worried about their development or think they might be behind, talk to your baby’s doctor or paediatrician.
Checked against NHS, NHS Healthier Together, checked on 2 October 2026
One official page, quoted word for word; a second publisher is not recorded yet.
“During your baby's reviews your health visitor will discuss your baby's health and development, and ask if you have any concerns.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“If you're worried about your baby's development or think they might be behind, talk to your health visitor or GP for advice and support.”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“Have lost skills which they could do before”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026
Written against NHS (your baby’s development), WHO (motor development milestones)
What does your baby eat in the first month?
Only milk
- What to offer
- Milk, on demand.
- On the plate
- Nothing to chew yet: the tongue still pushes anything solid straight back out.
- How often
- Feeds as often as they ask. Solids given before 4 months bring no benefit and can do harm.
Written against NHS (your baby’s first solid foods)
Is this normal in the first month?
Is it normal to bring up milk after feeds?
Small, effortless posseting after feeds is very common and usually harmless while the baby is feeding well and gaining weight. Frequent winding and keeping them a little upright after feeds often helps. Call your emergency number or go to the emergency department if the vomit is green or yellow, or has blood in it or looks like ground coffee. Get an urgent appointment with your baby’s doctor, or call your local urgent medical line, if it is projectile, there is blood in the poo, the tummy is swollen or tender, they keep being sick and cannot keep fluids down, they refuse to feed, or they will not stop crying and are very distressed. See the doctor if they are not gaining weight.
Why does she want to feed almost constantly some days?
Cluster feeding, when a baby wants to feed even more often, sometimes constantly, for a while, is very normal and nothing to be concerned about. It usually happens in the first 3 to 4 months, during the day or night or a bit of both, and a growth spurt can bring a few days of it. When breastfeeding, things settle once your supply catches up.
Flaky yellow patches on the scalp?
That is cradle cap, very common and harmless. It usually clears on its own within a few months. Lightly massaging an emollient (moisturiser) or a little coconut oil into the scalp helps loosen the scales; then brush gently with a soft brush and wash with baby shampoo. Do not use olive oil, and do not pick the crusts. It does not bother the baby.
Little spots on the face in the early weeks?
Baby acne and tiny white milia are common in the first weeks and clear on their own. Just keep the skin clean and avoid creams or scrubbing. No treatment is needed.
Other babies are ahead of mine, should I worry?
Every baby grows and learns at their own speed, and no two babies are the same. Most reach each milestone at around the same age, but some get there earlier or later, and it is common for children to develop at different rates. Your baby's health and development reviews are there to make sure their development is on track, and to ask anything.
Long crying spells in the evening, is it colic?
Many babies cry more from around 2 weeks old, and more often in the afternoon and evening. When a baby who is otherwise healthy cries for more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least a week, it is called colic, and it usually stops by 3 to 4 months. Holding them close, gentle rocking, a warm bath and some gentle white noise can help. It is exhausting: take turns and accept support. If the cry is weak, high-pitched or not like their normal cry, or a baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38C or more, get urgent help now. If they are not interested in feeding, or you feel at the end of your rope, call your baby’s doctor or paediatrician.
Checked against NHS (nhs.uk), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), checked on 12 October 2026
“Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your baby:”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“has vomit that's green or yellow, or has blood in it”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“is projectile vomiting (being sick with more force than usual)”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“has blood in their poo”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“is refusing to feed”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“is not gaining weight or is losing weight”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“In infants, children and young people with vomiting or regurgitation, look out for the 'red flags' in table 1, which may suggest disorders other than GOR.”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“Bile-stained (green or yellow-green) vomit”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“Frequent, forceful (projectile) vomiting”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“Blood in stool”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“unexplained feeding difficulties (for example, refusing to feed, gagging or choking)”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“faltering growth”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“have green or yellow-green vomit”
NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), read on 12 October 2026“have blood in their vomit, or the vomit looks like ground coffee”
NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), read on 12 October 2026“Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“has a very high temperature - 38C or higher in babies under 3 months old, or 39C or higher in babies 3 to 6 months old”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“Phone 999 or go to A&E if:”
NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), read on 12 October 2026“is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C (101°F) or above and has not had a vaccination in the past 2 days”
NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), read on 12 October 2026“Recognise that children younger than 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher are in a high-risk group for serious illness.”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“Age less than 3 months, temperature more than or equal to 38°C”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“has a weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry”
NHS inform (NHS 24, Scotland), read on 12 October 2026“Weak, high-pitched or continuous cry”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026
Checked against NHS, NHS Healthier Together, checked on 2 October 2026
One official page, quoted word for word; a second publisher is not recorded yet.
“The amount babies cry tends to increase when they're around 2 weeks old and then gradually reduces at around 3 months old.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Cluster feeding usually happens during the first 3 to 4 months.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“It's when your baby wants to feed even more frequently (sometimes constantly) over a period of time. It's very normal and nothing to be concerned about.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“It's common for a baby under the age of 1 to bring up a little bit of milk during or shortly after a feed, without being distressed.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Your baby does not usually need to see a doctor if they have reflux, as long as they're happy, healthy and gaining weight.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“is projectile vomiting (being sick with more force than usual)”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that's common in babies. It usually goes away on its own within a few months, but there are things you can try to make it better.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“It is not itchy or painful and does not bother your baby.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“You do not need to treat baby acne. It usually gets better after a few weeks or months.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“In young babies, they usually go away within a few weeks and do not need treatment.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“During your baby's reviews your health visitor will discuss your baby's health and development, and ask if you have any concerns.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“They may cry more often in the afternoon and evening.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“It usually stops by the time they're 3 to 4 months old.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“hold or cuddle your baby when they're crying a lot”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“have some gentle white noise like the radio or TV in the background to distract them”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“All babies cry, but your baby may have colic if they cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for at least 1 week but are otherwise healthy.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“gently rock your baby over your shoulder”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“bath your baby in a warm bath”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“your baby's cry does not sound like their normal cry”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“you're finding it hard to cope”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if they have signs of being unwell, such as a high temperature or they're not interested in feeding.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“38C or higher in babies under 3 months old”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“has vomit that's green or yellow, or has blood in it”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“has blood in their poo”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“is refusing to feed”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“is not gaining weight or is losing weight”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“lightly massage an emollient (moisturiser) or coconut oil on to your baby's scalp to help loosen the scales”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“do not use olive oil, it may not be suitable for use on skin”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“Your baby may want to cluster feed during the day or night (or a bit of both).”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“Every baby grows and learns at their own speed, and no two babies are the same. Most babies reach certain milestones at around the same age, but some might get there earlier or later.”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“If you're worried about your baby's development or think they might be behind, talk to your health visitor or GP for advice and support.”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“Have lost skills which they could do before”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026
How big are babies in the first month?
| Length | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Girls | 49.1 cm | 3.2 kg |
| Boys | 49.9 cm | 3.3 kg |
Written against WHO Child Growth Standards
Which vaccines come around this age?
Every country, and some regions, keeps its own calendar, so the vaccines due in the first month depend on where you live. Here is each one, from its own health service:
What comes next?
The first smile that is truly for you.
Feeds, sleep and nappies in a tap, and the next nap before it comes
In the app you log the day together or on your own, every phone in sync. You see your baby’s growth on their own curve, tick off milestones as they come, get a forecast of the next nap from your own logs, and ask Iris, who answers with all of it in mind.