Important Phases of a Growing Baby: How to Know What to Expect
A baby’s growth is a miraculous process that should be celebrated and monitored. There are several essential phases during a baby’s growth, and it can be helpful for parents to know what to expect. This article will discuss the different phases of a baby’s growth and some common concerns parents have during each stage.
Phase one is birth to two weeks.
During this phase, babies learn to eat, sleep, and poop on a regular schedule. They will also start to develop their sense of touch and taste. Babies this age need to be fed every two to three hours, and they should sleep for about 16 hours each day. It is normal for newborns to lose up to ten percent of their birth weight during this phase.
Some common concerns parents have during this phase include:
-Feeding: Am I feeding my baby too much or too little?
-Sleep: Why isn’t my baby sleeping through the night?
-Pooping: Why is my baby’s poop green/yellow/orange?
These concerns are all normal and can be easily addressed by talking to your child’s pediatrician. A newborn baby will have their days and nights mixed up. It is not uncommon for a baby to want to feed every hour or two during the day and then sleep for long stretches at night. As your baby starts to get used to the world around them, they will start to establish a more regular sleep schedule.
Next, we have phase two, which is two weeks to three months.
During this phase, babies will start to gain weight and grow taller. They will also begin to develop their own sleep patterns and wake up more during the day. Babies of this age should be fed every three to four hours and sleep for 14-15 hours daily.
Some common concerns parents have during this phase include:
-Feeding: My baby always seems hungry. Am I doing something wrong?
-Sleeping: Why is my baby still not sleeping through the night?
-Pooping: My baby’s poop is now green; should I be worried?
Again, these are all normal concerns. Your baby is growing and changing quickly, so it’s important to stay flexible and adjust your expectations accordingly. Remember that babies this age are still learning how to eat, sleep, and poop, so there will be some trial and error.
Phase three is three to six months.
During this phase, babies will continue to grow and develop. They will start to eat solid foods, and they will begin to babble and make other sounds. Babies of this age should be fed every four to five hours and sleep for 13-14 hours daily.
Some common concerns parents have during this phase include:
-Feeding: When and how do I start my baby on solid foods?
-Sleeping: Why is my baby waking up more at night?
-Sounds: Is my baby’s babbling normal?
-Pooping: Is solid poop normal?
Again, these are all normal concerns. Your baby is growing and changing quickly, so it’s important to stay flexible and adjust your expectations accordingly. The sounds that babies make at this age are expected, and they will eventually start to form words. As for solid foods, it is a big milestone, and it’s essential to do it gradually. You can start by offering your baby a small amount of food once or twice a day and then increasing the amount as your baby becomes more comfortable with eating solid foods.
Phase four is six to nine months.
During this phase, babies will continue to grow and develop. They will start to eat more solid foods and begin to crawl and pull up to a standing position. Babies of this age should be fed every four to five hours and sleep for 12-13 hours daily.
Some common concerns parents have during this phase include:
-Feeding: How much solid food should my baby be eating?
-Sleeping: How do I know my baby sleeps through the night?
-Mobility: Why isn’t my baby crawling/walking yet?
These concerns are normal, and resources are available to help parents through each phase of their baby’s development. Your baby’s sleeping schedule at this age is quite tricky as they are growing and changing rapidly. A good rule of thumb is to feed your baby every four hours during the day and then put them down for a nap two to three hours after they eat. You can read this 6 month old sleep schedule to help narrow down a window for your baby’s sleep. As far as mobility goes, every baby develops differently. For example, some babies start crawling as early as six months, while others may not crawl until nine or ten months. The important thing is that your baby is making progress and learning new skills each day.
Babies go through a lot of changes in the first year of life. Parents need to be patient and understanding during this time. Many resources are available to help parents through each phase of their baby’s development. Remember that every baby is different, so try not to compare your baby to others.
