The first week of parenting is a whirlwind of feeding, changing and sleepless nights filled with small yet significant milestones. But in the second week, you are going to notice more changes in their behavior as they become more and more aware, gaining control of their body. Along with this, as new parents, you are flooded with advice of all kinds from families, friends and relatives, but you are unsure which one to trust because, like every other baby, yours is unique too. To help you in this situation, we at Laadlee have curated a blog loaded with tips and advice from experts to help you understand what to expect and how to provide the best care for your little one.
Understanding Two-Week-Old Baby Development
In terms of developmental and care milestones for your baby, the second week is just as important as the first one. By this time, your baby should be back to their birth weight, and the bonding between you and your child gets even stronger now that you are well aware of the portion sizes and sleeping patterns. Around this time, the baby also begins responding to external stimuli, due to which most parents cannot contain their excitement. Here is a detailed expansion on the major two-week baby development milestones.
Two-Week-Old Baby Milestones
1. Physical development
At two weeks old, your baby is still in the initial stages of development, which is why changes may be subtle. This is the time when your baby enters a second growth spurt and can grow up to an inch in a month. At the same time, they must also be gaining around 150-200 grams every week and should begin exhibiting newborn reflexes such as the rooting reflex (turning their head toward a touch on their cheek) and the Moro reflex (startle reflex). These reflexes are vital for survival and are an indicator that your baby's nervous system is developing as it should.
2. Routine establishment
The second important milestone that you must be on the lookout for is that your baby should be feeding at least 8-12 times in 24 hours. If you are using baby formula, then you should feed them every 3–4 hours. This frequent feeding is necessary as babies need constant energy for sustained growth, and their stomachs can hold only a tiny amount of food. By this time, you must also notice that the baby's stool becomes more regular, suggesting that their digestive system is maturing.
3. Sleeping patterns
Around this time, most babies sleep at least 16–18 hours a day, but this sleep is punctuated with periods of wakefulness. Generally, a baby's sleep lasts for 2 hours as their small stomach needs to refill, but every baby is different. Many babies are known to wake up every thirty minutes, but many sleep for more than 2 hours without interruption. It is important to learn baby-specific cues and be on the lookout for them, and tailor your care accordingly.
4. Sensory Development
Now, the sensory development of your baby is still in the early stages, but there are clear signs that they are beginning to interact. By this time, they can comfortably focus on objects less than 10 inches away, which is why doctors suggest holding your baby 8-10 inches from your face and sticking your tongue out. Your baby might also respond slightly to your voice and track you with their eyes for a few seconds at a time.
5. Motor skills
A two-week-old baby has limited motor skills as their body is still getting accustomed to life outside the womb. During this time, most of their movement will be uncoordinated and reflexive, and you might notice that they bring their hands to their mouths. They might also make some sudden jerky movements but do not worry, as it is all part of their motor skill development.
Additional Baby Care Tips for Your Newborn
The second week brings with it many additional developmental milestones, such as the falling of the umbilical cord, which requires the utmost care, along with gentle cleaning. This must be followed by the first bath for the baby, after which you must keep the area sanitized and clean.
Around this time, the outer layer of the skin of your baby might also be peeling off, so don't get alarmed, as this is normal. To curb these, you can use some baby-safe moisturizers after consulting with your doctor. You must also not hesitate to consult a lactation expert if you feel any problems with the flow or if your baby faces latching issues.
The baby poops around this time will be slightly yellowish if you are breastfeeding, or more tan or brownish if using formula feed. The diapers must also be changed around six times each day at equal intervals, and if the flow is less, then you can also consider getting in touch with your pediatrician.
Conclusion
The first few weeks with your baby are filled with many small milestones. Understanding and keeping track of these developments can help you provide the best care for your baby in the upcoming days. If you need any assistance in caring for your baby or for yourself, then you can check out our collection of baby and mother care collections. We have curated the best pediatrician-approved baby care products that can help you and your baby enjoy these early days.