Finally, this important event happened - your baby was born, and a few days later he was at home. And his parents have many questions: "How to take care of the baby, how to feed and bathe him, how to develop?" In the first weeks after birth, not only the baby itself adapts to the world, but also the parents get used to the baby, learn to satisfy their needs and take care of him. The first month of children's life is a rather difficult period for all family members.
In this article we will consider the physiological characteristics of newborns, their mental development. We will also tell you how to properly care for the baby.
Physiological and neuropsychic development in the first month of a child’s life
In the neonatal period, that is, from the moment of birth to 3-4 weeks of age, the infant adapts to an extrauterine independent life, all its systems and organs begin to function correctly. At this time, the child appears regular breathing and the restructuring of the blood circulation. In the first month of children’s life, the umbilical wound gradually heals, the skin adapts to the external environment, etc. The newborn screams loudly, has pink skin, a regular pulse and loud heart sounds. The baby's movements are active, but chaotic, the legs and arms are in a bent state, since the extensor muscles are not yet sufficiently developed. All of his motor activity is built on innate reflexes: upper and lower grasping, as well as crawling, supporting and walking reflexes. The baby sleeps about 80% of the time, and wakeful periods are 20-30 minutes. In total, the child is in the active phase for about 2-4 hours per day. The baby awakens from discomfort caused by hunger. After sleeping and feeding, the baby can stay awake a bit, unconsciously jerking its arms and legs.
After the umbilical wound has healed, the little ones begin to spread little by little on the tummy, which helps strengthen the muscles of the neck and back, and also improves digestion and stimulates the release of gases. The newborn does not see well, he is short-sighted and can see objects or the face of the parent only at a distance of half a meter. The baby reacts to loud sounds with a jerk - the so-called Moro reflex. The child has well-developed search (helping to find and capture the nipple) and sucking reflexes. The key to productive satiation with breast milk is the absence of dummies and bottles in the "arsenal" of parents. The newborn eats every 1.5-2 hours, feeding is not interrupted even at night. The meal itself lasts about 20 minutes. The baby's weight should increase by 700-1000 g, and height - by 2 or 3 cm per month. At a normal temperature in the room, adequate clothing and full breastfeeding, the child is not doped with water.
As for the neuropsychic development, in 1 month of life the child can distinguish tastes (bitter, sweet, salty and sour), respond to sharp and loud sounds. Two weeks after birth, the baby already knows how to focus on the sound: after hearing some noise, it stops moving and listens. Around the end of the 4th week, visual concentration appears on a bright object or on mom's face. The kid recognizes relatives and reacts to them with a smile, movements of arms and legs. In the first month of the life of children, the need for communication is laid, subtle emotional connections are established with significant adults. Therefore, for the full physical and mental development should ensure full breastfeeding and care for the baby competently.
The first month of a child’s life: care and development
The main thing that is required from the mother is ensuring breastfeeding and emotional closeness with the baby.
Feed the newborn should be on demand, offering breasts every 2 or 2.5 hours, or even more often. You should not give the baby a dummy, because the baby is still weak, and therefore it will spend its strength on her sucking, get tired and take her breasts badly, which will lead to insufficient weight gain and improper grip of the nipple.
Caring for a child involves bathing, treating the umbilical wound and taking care of the skin. Before healing, the umbilical wound is treated with brilliant green or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If the wound gets wet or suppuration appears, you should definitely contact your pediatrician. The baby begins to bathe after healing the umbilical wound (approximately on the 10th day of life). Pediatricians advise bathing a child in boiled water, where it is necessary to add a solution of potassium permanganate. The temperature of the water in the bath is maintained in the range of 36-37 degrees. After bathing, the baby’s body is blotted with a soft towel and the groin area, folds on the neck, arms and legs are treated. For procedures, use special children's cosmetics or olive oil. Wash the baby with warm water and baby soap.
For full mental development, a newborn needs close emotional contact with his mother, affection, hugs, and being in his arms. Also, you need to play with the crumbs. A bright rattle is suitable for this. During wakefulness, you need to drive a rattle in front of the baby's eyes at a distance of about 20-25 cm. When you see that the baby has focused on the subject, move them from side to side, so that the baby watches him with his eyes. Carry your baby in your arms, caress, cradle, creating a comfortable and relaxing environment for him.