Navigating The Newborn Phase: A Guide For First-Time Parents

how long till newborn

There are varying opinions on how long a baby is considered a newborn. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a newborn is a child under 28 days old. However, other sources state that a newborn is an infant who is less than 2 months old, and some even say up to 3 months. After this period, a baby is considered an infant until they are 1 year old, after which they are referred to as toddlers.

Characteristics Values
How long is the newborn stage? Typically, this stage lasts until a baby reaches somewhere between one and three months old.
How long is a baby considered a newborn? The term newborn doesn’t have a firm expiration date. The World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics define a newborn as a child who is 28 days old or younger. Informally, many people consider newborns to be babies within their first 2 or 3 months of life.
What comes after the newborn stage? After the newborn stage, babies enter the infancy stage, which lasts from approximately three months to one year old.

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The newborn stage lasts from birth until around 1-3 months old

The newborn stage is a thrilling time for any family, but it can be challenging, too. The newborn stage lasts from birth until around 1-3 months old, and during this time, newborns require lots of attention and care. They sleep a lot and feed frequently, and their feeding times and schedules are incredibly important as they may not experience hunger in the same way older children or adults do. They also need to feed often to regain their birth weight, which most do by their 10th to 14th day of life.

Newborns sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day, and they tend to take naps in 90-minute increments, waking up briefly before going back to sleep. They are in a constant state of evolution and adaptation to their surroundings, and they are highly dependent on their caregivers. Every day brings something new for them to learn, and they are taking in fresh sights, sounds, smells, and experiences.

For clinical care, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) define a newborn or neonate as a child who is 28 days old or younger. However, informally, many people consider newborns to be babies within their first 2 or 3 months of life. So, while there is no firm expiration date for the term "newborn", you could refer to your baby as a newborn for a little longer than 3 months if you choose.

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Newborns sleep a lot and feed every 2-3 hours

Newborns typically sleep for 12 to 18 hours a day and feed every 2 to 3 hours. This is because newborns are still adjusting to life outside the womb and are highly dependent on their caregivers. They may not experience hunger in the same way older children or adults do, so feeding schedules are crucial at this stage.

During the newborn stage, babies sleep a lot and are generally inactive. They require lots of attention and care as they navigate their new world, with each day bringing new discoveries and learning experiences. The newborn stage is a period of rapid growth and interaction with the surrounding environment. It is a thrilling time for families, but it can also be challenging due to the constant care and attention newborns require.

The newborn stage typically lasts from birth to somewhere between 4 and 12 weeks old. However, there is no definitive end point, and it can vary from baby to baby. Some sources consider newborns to be babies within their first 2 to 3 months of life, while others define newborns as children 28 days old or younger.

As newborns grow and develop, their sleep patterns also change. By 3 months old, they will have longer periods of wakefulness and shorter sleep blocks of 1 to 2 hours. By 4 months old, they may even start sleeping through the night or for longer stretches of 5 hours or more. This change in sleep patterns is one of the indicators that your baby is transitioning out of the newborn stage and into infancy.

The newborn stage is a delicate and demanding period, requiring constant care and attention from parents and caregivers. It is a time of rapid growth and development, with newborns feeding frequently and sleeping for a large portion of the day. While challenging, it is also a rewarding and exciting time as you witness your baby's daily discoveries and milestones.

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They sleep between 12-18 hours a day

Newborns sleep a lot—anywhere from 11 to 19 hours a day in their first year. In the first few months, newborns ideally get at least 12 to 18 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. This sleep is usually fragmented, in one- to three-hour blocks, rather than in long consolidated stretches. Newborns don't yet have a sense of day and night, and their circadian rhythms are still developing. They sleep around the clock and wake every couple of hours to feed.

Newborns have different sleep cycles from adults. Their sleep cycles are usually around 20 to 50 minutes long and consist of active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns may move, groan, open their eyes, cry out, or breathe noisily or irregularly. During quiet sleep, they will lie relatively still and their breathing will be more even. It is normal for newborns to wake between sleep cycles. As they get older, they will learn to settle themselves and fall back to sleep.

Newborns need regular feeding, so they usually sleep in short periods. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2 to 3 hours, while bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3 to 4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every 3 to 4 hours to eat until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods of time at night.

The first few months can be challenging for new parents, as they adjust to the newborn's sleep schedule and may experience sleep deprivation themselves. It's important to remember that every baby is unique, and their sleep patterns may differ. There is no set schedule, and many newborns have their days and nights confused, thinking they are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during the day.

To help your newborn develop a healthy sleep schedule, you can expose them to light and gently play with them during the day, while providing a dim and quiet environment at night. You can also establish a bedtime routine, such as a bath, a song or story, or a baby massage. It's important to cater to your newborn's feeding and sleep needs and look out for their drowsy periods, encouraging sleep when they show signs of tiredness.

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Newborns are in a constant state of evolution and adapt to their surroundings

The newborn stage is a period of constant evolution and adaptation for babies as they adjust to the world outside the womb. This stage typically lasts from birth until somewhere between four weeks and three months old. During this time, newborns sleep a lot and are not very active, requiring lots of attention and care. They feed every two to three hours and sleep between 12 and 18 hours each day.

Newborns are in a constant state of evolution, adapting to their surroundings and experiencing rapid growth and interaction with the world. They navigate a whirlwind of fresh sights, sounds, smells, and experiences. Every day brings something new for them to learn and discover. As they grow and interact with their environment, their needs and habits change. For example, diaper changes become less frequent as they get older, and they start to react to different sounds and noises around them.

The newborn stage is a thrilling time for families, but it can also be challenging. Parents need to adjust to their new roles and responsibilities, including diaper changes, feeding schedules, doctor appointments, and sleep schedules. It's important for parents to pay attention to the minute changes in their newborn's development to better understand their progression and adapt to their needs.

While there is no firm expiration date for the newborn stage, it is generally accepted that it lasts for the first two to three months of a baby's life. This period is crucial for a baby's growth and development, as they navigate the world and begin to interact with their surroundings. The newborn stage is a foundation for the infant stage, where babies continue to develop and reach new milestones.

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They will regain their birth weight by their 10th-14th day of life

The newborn stage is a thrilling time for new parents, but it can also be challenging and tiring. During this period, newborns are in a constant state of evolution and adaptation to the world outside the womb, requiring lots of attention and care. One of the most important indicators of a newborn's health is their weight gain and growth.

Newborns typically lose weight in the first few days of life, which is considered normal and is due to the loss of extra fluid they are born with. Doctors expect babies to regain their birth weight within the first two weeks, usually by their 10th to 14th day of life. This milestone is considered important by many parents and healthcare providers.

The rate at which newborns regain weight can vary. Formula-fed newborns may lose up to 5% of their birth weight, while breastfed newborns may lose up to 7-10%. By the end of the first month, most newborns will be gaining weight at a rate of about 1 ounce (30 grams) per day. They will also grow in height by about 1 to 1½ inches (2.54 to 3.81 cm) during this time.

It is important to closely monitor a newborn's weight gain to ensure they are growing and developing as expected. Newborns should have regular weight checks, especially if they have any health concerns. Parents can also monitor their baby's intake by observing the number of wet and dirty diapers per day and ensuring the baby seems satisfied after feedings.

While weight gain is important, it is also crucial to remember that being small or large at birth does not determine a baby's size later in childhood or as an adult. Genetics, nutrition, and parental care will play significant roles in a child's growth and development over time.

Frequently asked questions

There is no firm answer to this question. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics define a newborn as a child who is 28 days old or younger. However, many people consider newborns to be babies within their first 2 or 3 months of life.

After the newborn stage, your baby will be considered an infant. This stage lasts from approximately three months to one year old.

There are several signs that your baby is no longer a newborn, including sleeping more at night, smiling and cooing, crying differently, and needing fewer diaper changes.

The first few weeks after birth can be exhausting for new parents. It is important to sleep when the baby sleeps and get extra sleep to keep up with the baby's needs. Feeding schedules and getting the baby to sleep can also be challenging during this stage.

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