Your Baby's 1st Month

Newborn Period: Your Baby's Life in the First Month

The newborn period, which covers the first month of life and observes rapid changes in the baby, is a special time. Understanding your baby's basic needs for growth, nutrition, and health during this period is crucial for a healthy development process.

Growth Parameters

The first month of life is when your baby experiences the fastest growth. In the first month, your baby grows approximately 3-4 cm in height and gains close to 600-900 grams in weight. A 1-month-old girl born on time is expected to have a height between 50 cm to 59 cm and a body weight between 3000 grams to 5400 grams. On the other hand, timely born 1-month-old boys should have a height between 51 cm to 60 cm and a body weight between 3000 grams to 5800 grams.

Feeding

Since the best nutrition for your baby is breast milk, the World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first 6 months. Since breast milk contains approximately ?-? ratio of water, no additional water should be given after breastfeeding. Breast milk fulfills your baby's fluid needs and provides the necessary fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, and proteins for growth. Additionally, it protects your baby against infections with its immunity cells and antibodies.

A baby exclusively fed with breast milk can feed 8-10 times a day. Babies fed with formula milk have a less frequent need for feeding because formula milk provides a longer feeling of fullness.

During this period, it is appropriate to feed your baby whenever they want or every 3-4 hours.

•  If your baby relaxes and easily falls asleep after breastfeeding,
•  If your baby sleeps for about 2-3 hours after breastfeeding,
• If your baby urinates 6-8 times and has 3-4 bowel movements a day,
•  If your baby gains an average of 20 grams or more per day (600 grams per month) from birth to 3 months, and 9 grams or more per day (270 grams per month) from 4 months onwards, we can consider that your milk supply is sufficient.

A Healthy Future for Your Baby

By monitoring your baby's growth and development in the newborn period and ensuring they are nourished according to their needs, you lay the foundation for a healthy life in the future. By not neglecting regular health check-ups and prioritizing breastfeeding, you can support both your baby's physical and immune system development.

Healthy Generations, Happy Tomorrows...