Your 1 Month Old
Nutrition:
Your baby’s eating habits may not have changed much since the 2 week visit. Babies at this age are still
eating about every 2 to 3 hours during the day, and taking anywhere from 2-4 ounces at a time. At this
point some babies will sleep longer at night and not require a feeding every 2 to 3 hours. This is normal.
As long as they are gaining weight and growing well, there is no need to wake for feedings.
Skin/Hair:
The newborn peeling stage has usually improved by now, but you may start to notice small pimple-like
bumps on your baby’s face. Neonatal acne is a normal finding and is thought to be due to the stimulation
of oil glands in the skin by hormones that passed from mom to baby in the womb. You need only to wash
your baby’s face with a gentle cleanser and keep bedding clean and dry. The acne will improve with time
and go away, usually in a month or so. Babies may also lose some of their hair during the newborn
period. The hair will grow back, and it may or may not be a different color when it returns!
Clothing:
Your baby does not regulate her own temperature well at this time. She is unlikely to sweat when she is
hot or shiver when she is cold. It is important to realize this when you dress your baby. We generally
recommend adding one layer to your baby than what you feel comfortable wearing. If you are wearing
short sleeves and shorts, she needs long sleeves and pants, but would not need a blanket, etc. Keep
your thermostat set at a comfortable level for your family and dress your baby accordingly.
Development:
Social: Although you may feel your baby is not interacting with you, she is actively taking in stimuli
throughout the day. Smiling is one of the first expressions from your little one. The appearance of the first
smile and giggle is delightful. Usually smiling in response to something the child likes occurs at the end of
the first month of life. You may notice smiling during sleep even earlier.
Motor: Baby makes jerky, quivering arm thrusts. He brings hands within range of eyes and mouth.
He moves his head from side to side while lying on his stomach. His head flops back if unsupported. He
keeps hands in tight fists. Baby still has a strong startle and suck reflex.
Vision: She can focus 8 to 12 inches away. Her eyes wander and occasionally cross. She prefers the
human face to all other patterns.
Hearing: He recognizes some sounds and may turn toward familiar sounds and voices.
Temperament:
You have probably started to notice your infant’s unique personality traits. Discovering these traits is an
exciting part of parenthood. Is your baby relatively laid-back or active and intense? Is she excited when
challenged with a new situation or more timid? You may have to reevaluate your specific ideas about
raising a child based on the baby you have. Isn’t it wonderful that all babies are different and special?
There is no “right way” of raising a child that works for every baby. You will undoubtedly receive advice
from everyone you know, from your own mother to the lady at the grocery store who notices your baby
fussing. Hearing lots of ideas is wonderful and often helpful, but the important thing is to remain
responsive to your baby’s individuality and your family’s needs. Love your baby for who she is. Her
uniqueness is her strength!
Crying often increases around the 1-month mark. Infants often have a “fussy” time toward the end of the
day. This time typically occurs just as dad is walking in the door from a long day at work and mom is
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes
available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for
medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a healthcare professional.
trying to prepare dinner for the family. Once you have determined that your baby is warm, dry, safe, and
fed, you may attribute the fussiness or crying to your baby’s need to decompress from her day. While you
and I may choose to watch a funny show or listen to music, babies cry as a way to clear their minds for a
full day of sensory input tomorrow. This is a good time to allow someone else to hold her, walk outside
with her, or allow her to rest safely in her crib for a few minutes. This “break” gives you time to walk away
and re-group. Remember, this time will pass quickly. Crying typically peaks by 6 weeks of age and
improves by the 12th week of life.
Appropriate Toys:
Some good choices for your baby at this age are:
 Soft, brightly colored and patterned toys that make gentle sounds.
 Music boxes and music players with soft music
 Unbreakable mirror attached securely to the inside of the crib
 Mobile with highly contrasting colors and patterns
Going Outside:
It is easy to feel a bit of cabin fever spending all day every day inside with your new baby. Feel free to get
out and get some fresh air with your baby. Go for walks if the weather is nice. Remember that he is
unable to regulate his temperature for major temperature shifts, so dress him according to the weather.
He should wear one more layer than you. Temperatures in Texas can be quite extreme, especially in the
summer, so choose only the most comfortable time of day to get out and about. And do not leave any
baby equipment in the sun as plastic and metal parts can get hot enough to burn skin. His skin is also
extremely susceptible to sunburn at this age. When going out, your baby needs to stay out of direct or
reflected sunlight. He is too young for sunscreens and insect repellents.
Safety Tips:
If your baby develops a fever (greater than or equal to 100.4°F rectally) it is important to contact your
provider. If your baby feels warm to you, check a rectal temperature. This is the most accurate body
temperature. Please call your provider at any time of day or night for fever at this age. Do not wait until
the office opens in the morning. Additionally, if your baby is very irritable and you cannot calm him,
contact your provider.
Car Safety Seats: Never leave a child alone in the car. Use an approved child safety seat and
follow the directions for proper use. Contact the local fire department for installation help if needed.
Parents should always wear their seat belts. While in the car, the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends that children remain in a rear-facing car seat until 2 years of age. (Previous guidelines
stated “20 pounds and 1 year of age” as the indicator for switching the car seat to forward-facing.)
Ensure that your child does not exceed the weight and/or height limits that are specific for each car
seat when in the rear-facing position. As always, the safest place for children is the back seat.
Bathing: Adjust the temperature of your water heater to 120°F or lower to prevent scalding. If you
bathe your baby in the kitchen sink, never run the dishwasher at the same time. Using a nearby
appliance can change the water temperature from the faucet abruptly.
Falls: Never place your baby in any sort of infant seat on a table, chair, or any other surface above
the floor (this includes car seats, Bumbo™ chairs, bouncy seats). Never step away when the baby is
on a bed, couch, changing table, or chair (or our exam table!). Keep at least one hand on the baby
anytime they are above the ground. Your baby can wiggle his body very quickly. Use safety straps
that are a part of high chairs and changing tables. Keep the siderails up in your baby’s crib.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes
available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for
medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Suffocation Prevention: Do not use baby or talcum powders on the baby. When inhaled by a baby,
powders can cause breathing problems and severe lung damage. Keep small objects away from the
baby. Any item smaller than a large coin may be swallowed or cause your baby to choke. Now is a
great time to remind older siblings never to place an object or food in the baby’s mouth without
permission. Never leave plastic bags or wrappings where your baby can reach them.
Fire Prevention: Remember to install smoke detectors and keep fresh batteries in them. Many
families choose a holiday such as New Year’s Day to complete home safety projects.
Necklaces and Cords: It is important to remove any items with strings or cords from baby’s reach.
Similarly, do not place string or necklaces around your baby’s neck as these can twist during baby’s
sleep and cause harm to him.
Next Visit:
Your baby’s next scheduled visit will be at 2 months. Vaccines are recommended to begin at the 2 Month
visit.
Recommended Readings:
American Academy of Pediatrics (2009), Caring for your baby and young child: Birth to age 5. (5th Ed.)
Bantam Books: USA.
Brazelton, T. & Sparrow, J. (2006) Touchpoints: Birth to three. De Capo Press Books: Cambridge, MA.
Ezzo, G. & Bucknam, R. (2006). On becoming baby wise: Giving your infant the gift of nighttime sleep.
Parent Wise Solutions: Mt. Pleasant, SC.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes
available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for
medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a healthcare professional.