How much can a one month old see

Your Baby's Hearing, Vision, and Other Senses: 1 Month (for Parents)

Every minute that they're awake awake, babies take in the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the world around them.

Although it may take a while to understand what all this information means, your baby can still find joy and comfort in the familiar faces, voices, and sensations of everyday life.

What Can My Baby See?

Babies this age can focus on shapes that are close by, but see distant objects as blurry because they are nearsighted. As babies grow, eyesight improves. By the end of 3 months, they can follow a moving object, are more interested in shapes and patterns, and can spot familiar faces, even at a distance. Human faces are one of their favorite things to look at, especially their own or a parent's face. Install a baby-safe crib mirror at your baby's eye level and see how your baby watches himself or herself.

Your baby's color vision is also developing, so brightly colored wall hangings or toys will help develop your little one's ability to distinguish color. Soft pastel colors, though, are hard for a baby to appreciate — something to keep in mind when buying toys and books.

What Can My Baby Hear?

Your baby has been hearing sounds since way back in the womb. Mother's heartbeat, the gurgles of her digestive system, and even the sounds of her voice and the voices of other family members are part of a baby's world before birth.

Once your baby is born, the sounds of the outside world come in loud and clear. Your baby may startle at the unexpected bark of a dog nearby or seem soothed by the gentle whirring of the clothes dryer or the hum of the vacuum cleaner.

Your baby loves to hear your voice, so talk, babble, sing, and coo away. Take special advantage of your baby's own "talking" to have a "conversation." If you hear your baby make a sound, repeat it and wait for him or her to make another. You are teaching your baby valuable lessons about tone, pacing, and taking turns when talking to someone else.

Babies this age seem to respond best to a higher-pitched voice, which is why most people naturally raise the pitch of their voices and exaggerate their speech when talking to a baby. This is fine — studies have shown that "baby talk" doesn't delay speech development. In fact, responding to your baby encourages speech. Feel free to mix in some regular adult words and tone with the baby talk. It may seem early, but you're setting the stage for your baby's first words.

Besides voices, your baby will probably enjoy listening to music (play a variety of styles) and may be fascinated by the routine sounds of life as well. Keep your baby nearby as you rattle pans while making dinner, and let him or her sit in a baby seat within earshot of older siblings laughing and playing. Baby rattles and musical mobiles and toys are other good ways to stimulate your baby's hearing.

Your newborn probably had a hearing screening before being released from the hospital (most states require this). If not, or if your baby was born at home or a birthing center, it's important to have a hearing screening as soon as possible. Most children who are born with a hearing loss can be diagnosed through a hearing screening.

What Can My Baby Taste and Smell?

Your baby can taste and smell and will favor sweet tastes over bitter ones. For example, a baby will choose to suck on a bottle of sweetened water, but will turn away or cry if given something bitter or sour to taste. Likewise, babies will turn toward smells they favor and turn away from bad odors.

Though sweetness is preferred, taste preferences will continue to develop during the first year. In fact, studies show that a mother's diet can affect the way her breast milk tastes. These first flavors can help shape flavor preferences later on. For example, a mother who ate spicy foods while nursing is likely to have a child who grows up to favor spicy foods.

For now, breast milk or formula will fully satisfy your baby.

Why Is Touch Important?

It won't be long before your baby will be reaching out and touching everything. But now, your baby depends on you to provide touch. Babies know they're loved and cared for when they're held, hugged, and kissed.

Make it fun, too. Your baby will respond joyfully to a game of "This Little Piggy" as you touch your baby's toes or fingers. Introduce different textures and temperatures: the softness of a feather, the hardness of a wooden block, the cool feel of a window in winter. When babies feel the world around them, they learn about life.

If You're Worried

If you want a little reassurance that your baby's senses are working well, you can do some unscientific testing for yourself.

For example, if you're worried about your baby's vision, notice if your baby watches your face closely. Does your baby watch moving objects? Your baby may appear cross-eyed when trying to look at something that is close. This is usually normal in the first few months. Let your doctor know if your child's eyes turn in or out.

If you're worried about your baby's hearing, ask yourself these questions:

• Does the baby startle at an unexpected sound?
• Does the baby respond to the sound of your voice, even if he or she cannot see you? (Your baby's response might be to turn toward your voice, stop crying, smile, or get excited and move his or her arms and legs. )
• Does the baby respond to music and other sounds in your environment?

If you're still worried about your little one's hearing or vision, talk to your doctor. The earlier problems with seeing and hearing are found, the better they can be treated.

1-Month-Old Baby: Milestones and More

Your baby is one month old! What an amazing first month—for you and baby. It's hard to believe how much your day-to-day has changed now that this beautiful (and confusing!) person has entered the world and turned your life upside down. One-month-old babies are completely dependent on their caregivers. And you’re completely in love with your newbie. You're probably feeling more confident in your parenting abilities than you were just a month ago, and with good reason—you're trusting your instincts, putting baby first and reading up on one-month-old baby development and parenting advice, which is proof enough that you're doing a great job!

Want to know what to expect in the coming days and weeks for your one-month-old? We’re sharing everything you need to know to ensure baby is well on track—from one-month-old baby milestones to sleeping and feeding schedules to basic routines and more.

In the article:
1-month-old development
1-month-old health
1-month-old feeding
1-month-old sleep
1-month-old schedule
Activities for a 1-month-old baby
1-month-old checklist and tips

1-Month-Old Development

Pretty much all baby did in the first month was sleep, cry, eat and poop, but soon their little (or, make that, big) personality will emerge. Case in point: You will probably notice your one-month-old baby cooing and ahh-ing in the coming weeks. How ridiculously cute is that!?

1-month-old baby weight and length

We know you’re wondering: How much should a one-month-old weigh? What should their length (aka height) be? The average one-month-old baby weight is 9.2 pounds for girls and 9.9 pounds for boys, according to the World Health Organization.

Of course, if baby weighs or measures much more or much less than the average, it doesn’t mean there’s a problem. Babies—just like adults—come in different shapes and sizes. What’s important is that baby’s growing and putting on weight at a healthy rate. The pediatrician will check on that, and ensure that they’re progressing on their growth chart at that all-important one-month checkup.

Your baby has likely gained 1.5 to 2 pounds and grown about 1.5 to 2 inches since birth, and baby’s head probably measures about an inch larger.

Coming up: In a 6-week-old baby, a growth spurt is pretty common, so be mentally prepared! Sometimes babies feed more frequently when they’re in a spurt, so know you might have to keep up with an extra demanding baby. Wondering if baby has hit this stage? If they’re acting fussier than usual or falling out of their sleep routine (if you even have one at this point!), it’s very likely your little one is working hard on growing bigger and stronger (a comforting reminder when you’re calming your cranky cutie at all hours of the night).

1-month-old’s five senses

Since hearing is developed in utero around 35 weeks, your one-month-old baby’s hearing is fully developed, and they may turn toward familiar sounds and voices. Initially, fluids in the ears affect the clarity of sound, and the parts of the brain that deal with sound processing have to develop, which usually doesn't happen until the seven-month mark. Here are some more interesting facts about your one-month-old’s developing senses:

• Baby’s eyes still wander and may sometimes cross, which could make you wonder: How far can a one-month-old see? They can now see and focus on objects that are about 8 to 12 inches away. They like black and white patterns and those in other contrasting colors. But they’d rather look at faces than anything else, so no need for fancy toys. Just hold baby facing you, and chat away!
• You may also be curious if baby can recognize your face at the one-month stage. Some experts believe babies can recognize their caregivers within just a few days of birth, while others suggest babies begin remembering faces by the two-month mark. That said, by 8 months, baby will be able to identify you from across the room—so you have that to look forward to.
• Baby’s sense of smell is developing too. They like sweet smells (bitter or acidic things are basically yuck to them), and if you’re nursing, baby would probably be able to pick your breast milk out of a lineup, since they know the smell and taste so well. (And, FYI, breast milk is also very sweet!)
• Baby loves to touch things that are soft (a cozy blanket) and doesn’t like to be held or moved in a rough or abrupt way. So keep things gentle—you probably already are!

1-month-old baby milestones

Your newborn is still pretty much a cute blob at this point. Still, throughout the month you’ll notice some rapid changes and impressive developments. There are some one-month-old baby milestones on the horizon.

“What should my one-month-old be doing?” That’s the question every new parent asks. While every baby’s different, it’s typical for a one-month-old baby to still be keeping their hands tight in fists. Baby probably jerks and quivers their arms and has keen reflexes. If they haven’t started smiling already, they probably will in the next month—so exciting!

While you should be patient with baby’s progress hitting milestones, there are a few developmental red flags you should be aware of. Call the doctor if your one-month-old baby:

• Is feeding slowly, has trouble sucking, sweats while feeding, turns blue while feeding or projectile vomits with most feedings
• Doesn’t blink in bright light
• Doesn’t respond to loud sounds
• Doesn’t focus their eyes on an object or follow it with their eyes when it moves
• Has a trembling jaw or repetitive movements that don’t stop when touched
• Doesn’t seem to move their arms and legs much
• Seems overly loose or overly stiff in the limbs

1-Month-Old Health

With babies, in general, no news is good news. As long as you’re not seeing signs of a problem, your one-month-old’s health is probably totally great. A few common health concerns of parents of one-month-olds include:

• Constipation. Parents wonder: How often should a one-month-old poop? The answer is around two times per day, if they’re being fed formula. Breastfed babies can have bowel movements as infrequently as once a week and still be totally healthy. The general rule of thumb is that if baby’s poop comes out in hard, small balls, you’ve got a one-month-old baby who’s constipated. Check out more on how to handle constipation.
• Congestion. Babies often seem a little stuffy, but if your little one is coughing, has a runny nose, has a fever, is breathing fast or not eating well, check in with your pediatrician If your one-month-old is congested, head over here to get more info on how to help them breathe and feel better.

1-Month-Old Feeding

At one month, baby is still probably feeding once every two to three hours if you’re breastfeeding or once every three to four hours if you’re formula feeding. By now, you’ve probably learned to follow baby’s cues to determine when they’re hungry—you may even be able to identify their own distinct “hungry cry. ”

How much should a 1-month-old baby eat?

If you’re breastfeeding, don’t worry too much about the quantity of breast milk. You can’t measure it when it comes straight from the tap anyhow! Baby will know when they’re full by stopping, moving away from your breast or falling asleep. Soon, baby will become a more efficient feeder and will be able to get more milk in a shorter amount of time—so you may notice you spend a teeny bit less time feeding in the coming months.

If you’re formula-feeding, baby is probably consuming a four-ounce bottle about once every four hours.

What can a 1-month-old baby eat this month?

Baby should still stick to just formula or breast milk, or a combo of both. Wondering if a one-month-old can drink water? Most doctors recommend waiting until baby is at least 6 months old before giving them water. They get plenty of fluids from your breast milk or formula! There may be some exceptions, so always check with your pediatrician first.

1-month-old feeding schedule

Image: Megan Rubey

1-Month-Old Sleep

If you’ve got a one-month-old baby at home, chances are sleep is at the top of your priority list. And while your little one may get adequate shuteye, it’s probably not at the most ideal hours.

How much sleep does a 1-month-old get?

One-month-old babies typically sleep about 15 to 16 hours per day. How it’s split up throughout the day depends on the baby, but around three daytime naps is pretty typical, with eight-and-a-half hours of sleep probably coming at night (with plenty of interruptions, of course!).

Doesn’t sound exactly like your kid? It’s okay—different babies have different personalities, just like adults! Any sleep concerns should be discussed with your pediatrician, who can give you personalized advice, but here are some common one-month-old sleep concerns:

1-month-old baby won’t sleep

There are so many reasons it might be tough to get baby to sleep. They could be overstimulated, uncomfortable or just want to cuddle with you. Try some of these tricks to help baby sleep, and if they don’t seem to work, talk your pediatrician.

1-month-old baby sleeping all day

Some babies get what’s called “day/night confusion,” where they mix up day and nights. Some might have an illness that’s making them sleep more than usual. Others might just be extra sleepy! Try to pinpoint the cause of baby’s sleepiness and then decide whether or not it could be an issue—if baby’s otherwise healthy, eating and peeing enough, then it’s probably not something to worry over.

1-month-old sleep schedule

Here’s an example of a typical one-month-old’s sleep schedule:

Image: Megan Rubey

1-Month-Old Schedule

It’s not really possible to get a one-month-old on a schedule, but you can start to incorporate patterns throughout baby’s day. For example, a “sleep, eat, play” routine works for a lot of babies. Over time, you’ll find that sticking to a pattern like that may develop into a more predictable daily routine. Just remember to be flexible—things can change, and it’s important you roll with the punches. Keep following baby’s cues for hunger and sleep.

1-month-old example schedule

A one-month-old’s daily schedule might look something like this:

Image: Megan Rubey

If you’re worried about your one-month-old baby’s schedule or routine, talk to their pediatrician.

Activities for a 1-Month-Old Baby

Yes, a one-month-old baby may be small and helpless, but that doesn’t mean you can’t interact with them and enjoy a few beginner activities together. It’s true that baby can’t do much, but they’ll still get a kick out of playtime with you. Don’t know where to start? Use your imagination; it doesn’t take a lot of effort or skill to engage and entertain your newborn. Below, some ideas to try with your tiny playmate.

• Talk to baby. It’s never too early to start communicating with baby. Use an animated voice, make eye contact and pour your heart out. Don’t know what to talk about? Walk your one-month-old through a diaper change, describe different family members or chat about the animal characters on their nursery walls. Baby loves your familiar voice and is happy to listen to anything and everything you want to say—or sing for that matter. And when they start to coo? Reply right back! These early conversations are precious, and baby will adore every moment.
• Read to baby. Grab a picture or board book, and introduce your one-month-old to the joys of reading. Research has found that reading to baby from the get-go can foster early literacy skills. What’s more, it offers a sweet bonding moment.
• Make silly faces. Babies love to look at faces, so give them what they want! Scrunch up your nose, stick out your tongue or make a puckered face, and your one-month-old baby will think it’s an absolute hoot. For now, you’ll be the star of this one-person show. Before you know it, they’ll join in and begin imitating your silly faces and even trying out their own.
• Use rattles and toys. At this stage, a one-month-old baby may start using their eyes to track moving objects. To encourage this reaction, shake a brightly colored rattle or move a ball from side to side, and see if baby’s head turns. Baby may soon connect the dots and understand that their eyes can follow an object’s motion.
• Go for a walk. Fresh air can work wonders for you and your one-month-old baby. Going for a stroll is also a great early way to expose baby to the outside world. Different sights, smells and sounds will help engage baby’s senses. What’s more, a change of scenery might do you some good too!

1-Month-Old Checklist and Tips

One-month-old babies are sweet and sleepy little things; they may not do a lot, but there’s plenty of developmental milestones happening behind the scenes. While you prepare for the next exciting stage, here’s a list of to-dos to tackle:

• Take baby to their one-month checkup for a wellness evaluation, and to track their one-month-old baby milestones.
• Ask the doctor about supplementing with vitamin D drops if you’re breastfeeding.
• Check baby’s vaccine schedule; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a second dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine between months one and two.
• Schedule baby’s two-month checkup.
• Go to your postpartum checkup at about six weeks post-birth (sooner if you had a c-section).
• Plan a date night with your partner (even if it’s while baby’s sleeping).
• Take baby’s one-month old baby milestone photo.

The early days of parenthood are equal parts exciting and exhausting. One-month-olds learn and grow every day. It’s a nonstop adventure; enjoy all the one-month-old baby milestones. Trust us, the old adage is spot on: The days are long, but the years are short. Soak it in.

Medical content was reviewed by Dina DiMaggio, MD, a board-certified pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of NYC and NYU Langone Health in New York City, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is also the coauthor of The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers.

The vision of a newborn child

Newborn children see in a completely different way than adults. WITH as the child grows, his visual system also develops, for the final it takes about 8 months to form.

Eyes the child is able to see immediately after birth, but his brain, which processes and forms visual images until it is able to correctly decrypt information. The child grows, his brain develops, and at the same time and visual abilities. How does this happen?

1 month. At that age the child's eyes cannot move in concert. The pupils often converge on bridge of the nose, but parents should not panic that this is strabismus. Already to at the end of 1 month of life, the baby learns to fix his gaze on the interesting object.

2 months. Starts actively develop color vision. Shades are faintly distinguishable, but good perceived contrasting colors. Children of this age love bright toys and keep a good eye on them.

4 months. Appears spatial perception, the child begins to understand that objects have different shapes and can be located at different distances from it. Coordination the movements of the newborn are being improved, now he can easily pick up, subject of interest to him.

5 months. Improving color perception, the child is able to see the difference in shades, even in small sized items.

8 months. Visual the abilities of a toddler of this age are indistinguishable from those of an adult person. By 8 months, as a rule, the final color of the rainbow is also formed. shells of the eyes, however, this process can be delayed up to 3 years.

Parents are advised to be attentive to visual abilities of your child and, in case of developmental disabilities, show him ophthalmologist. What to focus on:

· At 3-4 months, the baby is not able to follow the eyes behind moving objects.