What are babies doing at 1 month?

Cuddling, sleeping, feeding. That’s what it’s all about in the first few months.

Learning

A lot! Your newborn baby’s brain is growing and developing as you spend time together every day. Seeing, hearing and touching the world around them helps your baby learn.

Seeing and hearing

Your baby is fascinated by faces and might be able to follow your face with their eyes. They can see you well when you’re within about 20 cm of them. Your baby will also like looking at toys with contrasting colours like red, black and white, as well as toys with faces or patterns like swirls or checks.

Your one-month-old can hear you and knows your voice, but they might sometimes startle when they hear you or another sound.

Communicating

Your baby communicates with you mostly through crying. For example, they’ll cry or make throaty noises if they need you. They might also make eye contact if they want your attention.

Moving

Your baby might lift their head briefly when they’re lying on their tummy or turn it to the side when they’re lying on their back. This helps your baby see where you are and what’s around them.

Sometimes your baby will hold your finger, but most of the time they’ll keep their hands in a tight fist.

Your child’s brain develops connections faster in the first 5 years than at any other time in their life. Stimulating and caring environments with plenty of different activities help to build these connections and lay the foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life.

How can you help your baby grow and develop at 1 month?

Play with your baby

Talking, singing and reading and telling stories are great play activities for newborns. Gentle play every day strengthens the bond between you and helps your baby’s brain to grow. It also helps your baby get familiar with sounds and words, which lays the foundation for language and communication skills.

Look into your baby’s eyes

This is important for bonding with your baby. It can also help to build your baby’s neck strength and head control when you get your baby to follow your eyes and turn their head. But when your baby looks away from you, they’re letting you know they need a rest.

Smile!

Smiling at your baby makes them feel good, safe and secure. It also builds attachment to you.

Try tummy time

Start with 1-2 minutes of tummy time and build up to 10-15 minutes several times a day. This builds your baby’s head, neck and upper body muscles, which are important for sitting and standing later. Always watch your baby during tummy time, and put your baby on their back to sleep.

Try baby massage

Baby massage is a great way to bond with your baby. It can also be relaxing and soothing for your baby. Gently massaging your baby’s back can also help your baby get used to being on their tummy.

Have skin-to-skin contact

This helps your baby get to know your smell and voice. It’s comforting, relaxing and good for bonding.

Sometimes your baby won’t want to do these things. For example, they might be too tired or hungry. Your baby will use baby cues to let you know when they’ve had enough and what they need.

Why do babies cry and how can you respond?

Sometimes you’ll know why your newborn baby is crying. When you respond to crying – for example, by feeding your baby if they’re hungry – your baby feels comfortable and safe.

Sometimes you might not know why your baby is crying, but it’s still important to comfort them. You can’t spoil your baby by picking them up, cuddling them, or talking to them in a soothing voice.

Never shake a baby. If you feel like you can’t cope or you might hurt your baby, gently put your baby down somewhere safe. Take deep breaths to calm down. Get support by talking to a family member or friend or by calling a parenting helpline or Lifeline on 131 114.

How to care for a one-month-old baby and look after yourself

Every day you and your baby will learn a little more about each other. As your baby grows and develops, you’ll learn more about what your baby needs and how you can meet their needs.

As a parent, you’re always learning. It’s OK to feel confident about what you know. And it’s OK to admit you don’t know something and ask questions or get help.

It’s also important to look after yourself. Looking after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally is good for you, and it’s good for your baby. When you’re well, you can give your baby the loving attention they need to grow and thrive. You can also cope better if your baby is crying a lot.

Part of looking after yourself is asking for help, especially if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or angry. There are many people who can support you and your baby, including your partner, friends, relatives, child and family health nurse and GP. It’s a good idea to have a list of these people with their contact details. Put the list on your fridge, so it’s easy to find if you need it.

When to be concerned about development at 1 month

You know your baby best. See your child and family health nurse or GP if you have any concerns or notice that your one-month-old:

  • is crying a lot and is difficult to soothe, and this is worrying you
  • isn’t feeding well
  • seems very tired
  • is sleeping more than is typical for newborn sleep
  • isn’t moving their arms or legs
  • isn’t responding to bright light or seeing things – for example, isn’t following your face with their eyes
  • isn’t making sounds like gurgling
  • isn’t hearing things – for example, isn’t startling to loud sounds or turning their head towards sounds.

Also see your nurse or GP if you have signs of postnatal anxiety, postnatal depression in birthing mothers or postnatal depression in non-birthing parents. With help and support, you can manage symptoms, feel better sooner, and give your baby what they need to develop well.

Development happens in a similar order in most children, but skills might develop at different ages or times. If you’re wondering whether your baby’s development is on track or you feel that something isn’t quite right, it’s best to get help early. See your child and family health nurse or GP.

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