If you’re a new parent, congratulations! Being a new parent can be an exciting time as you watch your little one grow and develop at a rapid pace. As a new mom or dad, you’ll quickly notice that days will start to disappear in the blink of an eye, so it’s important to be aware of the various developmental milestones to look out for in your child.

At SoftMats, we’re passionate about offering high-quality playmats for moms and dads-to-be. We specialize in carrying safe, non-toxic and durable playmats that your little one can crawl, roll, and play on. If you’re interested in learning more about our fun and affordable children’s mats, browse our online store today. We carry Bubba Mat, Comflor, and Dwinguler playmats, among others, and we would love to help you find the best mat for your baby.

In this blog, we’re going to look at some developmental milestones you should keep an eye out for during the first few weeks and months of your little one’s life.

The First Few Weeks With Your Baby

The first few weeks with your baby will be extremely memorable as a new parent. As you learn how to feed your little one and take care of them on a daily basis, it’s important to remember that your child is just getting used to the outside world. What matters most during this stage is that you’re here to help them eat and sleep, and also available for an occasional diaper change. As your baby’s basic needs, these things are essential.

As soon as you bring your child home from the hospital, they will start to learn and develop their reflexes. Some early reflexes to keep an eye out for include the rooting reflex (this helps the baby locate the breast or bottle during feeding time), the sucking reflex, the Palmar reflex (your baby’s ability to grip your finger), and the Moro reflex (the jumpy reaction babies can have when they are startled). A few other things to keep in mind are:

Your baby’s weight. While your baby may have weighed a healthy 10 pounds at birth, don’t be surprised if he or she drops a few pounds early on. The reason for weight-loss in babies is due to normal post-delivery fluid loss. When your baby reaches around 10 to 14 days old, they should be able to regain or surpass their birth weight. Your baby’s sleep schedule. While newborn babies sleep a lot, they don’t usually get all their sleep at once (as much as we’d like them to!). You can expect your newborn to sleep anywhere between 14 to 17 hours a day or more, waking pretty frequently for feedings. Your baby’s feeding schedule. A good rule of thumb is to feed your baby on demand, rather than by the clock. This will help you when it comes time to spread out your feedings. Babies eat a lot during their first few weeks outside of the womb, at least 8 to 12 times a day.

Developmental Milestones: Age 1-3 Months

Between the age of one to three months, your baby will start to grow into an active and responsive infant. Your baby’s vision will change dramatically during this time, and he or she will become more aware and interested in their surroundings. Your face will become more interesting and recognizable, and your child may smile at familiar faces and voices as well. Your little one may also begin to make cooing sounds such as “ooo” and “aaaaaa.” During the first few months, your child’s neck muscles will start to develop and become stronger. This means that your little one will be able to hold their head up for a few seconds at a time.

Things For New Parents To Remember

If you’re a new mother, you’re likely recovering from the strenuous act of childbirth. The labor experience can be extremely exhausting on your mind and body, so it’s important that you take the time you need to rest during your recovery period. You’ll want all of the help you can get once your child is born, especially since your body has to adjust to life without a baby inside of it. Do everything you can to take care of yourself. This includes eating a healthy diet and slowly incorporating physical exercise back into your daily routine. If you need help getting back on your feet with a newborn, reach out to family and friends for support when you need it.

SoftMats: Baby PlayMats With Safety In Mind

If you’re shopping for a safe, non-toxic playmat for your newborn, look no further than SoftMats. We carry a wonderful selection of cute and affordable playmats for newborns, infants, toddlers, and kids. Check out what’s new in our store or visit our blog today!