Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
  • Suitable for 0-1Months

At one month

What your newborn may be able to do at one month

 

Within a few days of birth your baby will probably be able to:

  • lift head briefly when on the tummy
  • move arms and legs on both sides of the body equally well
  • focus on objects within 20-40 cm
If your baby seems not to have reached one or more of the developmental milestones listed, check with your doctor or maternal and child health nurse. In rare instances the delay could indicate a problem, though in most cases it will turn out to be normal for your baby. Premature infants generally reach milestones later than others of the same birth age, often achieving them closer to the adjusted age (the age they would be if they had been born at term), and sometimes later.

The 1st month

By the end of this month, your baby:

… should be able to:

  • lift head briefly when on stomach on a flat surface
  • focus on a face

… will probably be able to:

  • respond to a bell in some way, such as startling, crying, quieting
  • follow an object moved in an arc about 15 cm above face to the midline (straight ahead)

… may possibly be able to:

  • on stomach, lift head 45 degrees
  • vocalise in ways other than crying (e.g. cooing)
  • follow an object moved in an arc about 15 cm above face past the midline (straight ahead)
  • smile in response to your smile

… may even be able to:

  • on stomach, lift head 90 degrees
  • hold head steady when upright
  • bring both hands together
  • smile spontaneously
  • laugh out loud
  • squeal in delight
  • follow an object in an arc about 15 cm above the face for 180 degrees (from on side to the other)