2 week old baby development

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Huynh Bao Toan - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
After two weeks, your baby's natural reflexes are important. Newborns are growing stronger every day, exercising their tiny muscles by sucking, grasping, grabbing objects and blinking. Occasionally, a 2-week-old infant will look into your eyes. This is the perfect opportunity to reciprocate by looking back, smiling, and talking to your child. Eye contact is just a great way to bond with your newborn. This article will provide you with useful information about the development of a 2-week-old infant and some notes when taking care of your baby during this time.

1. Development of a 2-week-old infant

1.1. Body

Babies continue to grow this week, growing at a rate of about 20 - 30 grams per week and reaching about 4.5 - 5 cm by the end of the first month. The main developmental milestone that occurs with 2-week-old babies is that they will be a lot more alert than they were last week and can stay awake for longer periods of time. Because of this, you may notice your newborn's eyes look like they are crossed. This is normal.
At birth, your newborn may also have slight scratches or bruises on the eyelids after birth, which should go away this week. Some infants may also have ruptured blood vessels in their eyes at birth due to the force of contraction and delivery. The red spots should go away on their own this week.
Take note of any new birthmarks appearing this week. One type of birthmark, called a hemangioma, is not present at birth but can suddenly appear several weeks later. You may also notice that lighter-colored birthmarks seem to darken as your baby grows. If you see an unusual birthmark on your baby, make an appointment with your pediatrician, as some may require treatment, especially if they are on or very close to the eyes or mouth.

1.2. Brain

Your 2 week old baby should be able to:
Moro reflex: When he is startled, he usually raises his arms and legs and extends his hands. Then bring the two arms and two feet together, if the baby cries, this reflex is very important for the doctor to be able to check the baby's arm and leg movements are even on both sides. Can grasp objects in hand Can see moving objects, children see best from a distance of 8-18 cm Cries when babies are upset, hungry, or fussy Hears loud noises, may turn to voices Speak softly, coax the baby Raise your head for a few seconds when placed on your stomach Look at your face from a short distance. Usually, babies have the best vision in a range comparable to the distance you are in while breastfeeding. When to care:
For a 2 week old baby, there is still some time before any potential problems can arise. Observing the newborn will help determine if there are any problems with hearing. If your baby seems unresponsive to loud noises, is having trouble waking up to feed, or seems to be in unbearable pain and crying, you should consult your pediatrician.

1.3. Digest

Only breast milk or infant formula is needed. Breastfeed when the baby is hungry. The amount of formula for babies is about 60-90 ml every 2-3 hours. Feed the baby from both breasts, the average feeding time is from 40 minutes to 1 hour. However, the milk needs of each child is completely different.
Don't be alarmed or surprised if formula-fed friends say their babies are eating less often. Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, allowing your baby's tummy to feed faster - and get hungry sooner.

2. What mothers of 2 weeks old need to know

2.1. Signs of a child asking for food

A good way to master the balance of breastfeeding at the right time is to feed your baby when he seems hungry. Don't wait for your baby to cry longer, either:
Cuddle up to your chest Sucking furiously on that little hand - or your shirt, or your arm Open his mouth Baby opens his mouth and turns his head to the side mouth open in search of food, Sucking a baby's lips or tongue, which may look like a baby sticking out her tongue Making a lip-smacking sound If a baby cries, it will usually be a short, low, high-pitched wail

2.2. The right way to breastfeed

The right way to breastfeed: Hold your baby facing your breast. Chest to chest, belly to belly. The baby's head should be in line with the rest of the body, not rotated, to make swallowing easier. Touch your nipple to your baby's lips to encourage her to open her mouth on her own, like a yawn. If your baby doesn't open, try to squeeze some colostrum onto his lips. If your baby turns away, gently stroke the cheek on the side closest to you. The reflex will cause your baby to turn his or her head towards your breast. Bring your baby forward towards your breast once his mouth is wide open. Don't lean over and push your breast into your baby's mouth - let your baby take the initiative. Hold your breast until your baby has a firm grip and sucks well. You can tell you've got a proper latch when your baby's chin and the tip of his nose touch your breast. Your baby's lips will stick out, like fish lips, rather than sucking in. Check to see if your little one is sucking on his bottom lip or tongue - babies will suck on anything - by pulling his bottom lip down while feeding.
If your baby is nursing, you will notice a steady, vigorous breathing-in-breathing process. You'll also notice a rhythmic movement in your baby's cheeks, jaw, and ears. As your milk comes down, listen for swallowing or sucking. You can tell your baby has latched on properly if you hear noises. A full-fed baby will be able to sleep from 2:30 to 3 hours after each meal.

2.3. burp

You should regularly burp your baby after each feeding to avoid gas getting stuck in his stomach and will make him uncomfortable or even fussy. Breastfed babies may not need to be burped as often as bottle-fed babies because they don't swallow as much air while feeding. But every baby is different, so take special note of how your baby acts after eating. Try to consistently burp your baby for 5 to 10 minutes and you will see surprising results.

2.4. Children's sleep

A 2-week-old baby sleeps a total of 15-18 hours/day, he only wakes up when he's hungry or needs a diaper change. It's completely natural for a 2-week-old baby to fall asleep after breastfeeding. Babies sleep soundly day and night if they are cuddled by their mothers.
At this time, the mother can train the child to distinguish day and night, avoiding the situation that the baby sleeps day and night. During the day, when the baby is up and playing, open the window very bright, pull the curtain or turn on the light to light up the room, turn on the TV or the radio a little noisy. At night, you should keep a quiet space and turn off all the lights. Gradually, the baby will adapt and settle into his sleep.

2.5. Umbilical cord care

If your 2-week-old baby's umbilical cord hasn't fallen off, you can ask your doctor about techniques to help dry it up. Avoid getting it too wet and keep your baby's umbilical cord as dry and clean as possible. Make sure the skin folds around the umbilical cord are dry at all times, and never pull on the cord or try to loosen it.

2.6. Changing diapers

Your 2-week-old baby will let you know when he wants a diaper change with a cry or you can check his diapers often instead to avoid discomfort.
After the first stage of meconium and black stools, by this time the baby's stools will be pale yellow or light yellow granules

2.7. Bathing for children

Bathing the baby should be done before feeding or before you want to put your baby to bed at night. Because a clean body will help children have a good night's sleep.
Prepare baby bath water with an appropriate temperature between 32 and 37.7 degrees Celsius. Test the water with the inside of your forearm to make sure it is not too hot. The bathroom should be airtight. You can soak the baby's whole body in the toilet water from top to bottom, avoiding letting the baby soak for too long in the bath. Then clean with a soft dry towel and wear seasonal clothes

2.8. Father's acquaintance

Sometimes dads feel a little jealous because all the attention has been focused on the baby. Or perhaps he's worried that he's not as close to the baby as you are, and wants some advice on how dads bond.
Skin to skin is a great way for your partner to spend bonding time with a newborn. He could try massaging the baby or giving the baby a bath a few times a week. Make sure your partner knows how important he is to you. Encourage him to help as much as he can in the early days.
Don't be afraid to seek professional help if you need it too. If you have any concerns about any of your postpartum symptoms, or if you are having trouble coping with your emotions, contact your midwife or GP.

2.9. Take care of your mother

In addition to taking care of the newborn, the mother also needs to take care of her own health. Some useful information below will help mothers quickly balance their health, by adding some of the following nutrients:
1) Eat high-fiber cereals. Opt for whole grains, bread, brown rice, anything made with bran, oat bran or flaxseed.
2) Go for dried fruit with nuts for an omega-3 boost — and add some anti-constipation fiber.
3) Complement on fresh fruits and vegetables, and even coarser ones even more by leaving the peel on.
4) Cook a pot of beans, such as lentils or black beans, and add to soups, salsas, or salads.
5) Avoid refined foods like white rice and white bread.
6) Be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Some women find a cup of hot water to have a distinctive lemon flavor. Vegetable and fruit juices can also help - especially prune juice.
After two weeks of parenthood and the excitement of welcoming a baby can begin to tire and be practically sleep deprived, tired and stressed. It is more important than ever to be aware of potential physical problems you may have, such as:
Lactation problems: As your milk supply continues to grow, you may experience More problems this week with nursing. For example, sore, cracked or bleeding nipples. If you are experiencing any of these problems, consult a lactation consultant or talk to your doctor. Mastitis: Mastitis is a possible complication of breastfeeding, especially if you are providing too much breast milk or your infant is having trouble fully breastfeeding. Milk can get blocked in the milk ducts (postpartum lactation) and eventually lead to painful infections that need to be treated with antibiotics. If you experience any fever and extreme fatigue along with a red, red spot in your breast, it could be a blocked duct or mastitis. Take Ibuprofen if your doctor recommends it, massage the area with a warm towel or in the shower, and feed your baby often, even if it hurts to try to clear the area. Postpartum Complications: By week two, as your body continues to recover, it's also a good idea to be on the lookout for any postpartum complications such as depression. If you had a cesarean section, check the incision for redness and pain, swelling, or drainage. If you've had a vaginal birth (vaginal delivery), you should also look for any sudden increase in bleeding (it should have slowed, but you could still bleed for up to six weeks), clots large blood clots, bad odor, or increased pelvic pain. A good rule of thumb to remember is that you should start to feel better at this point, not worse, so if that changes, seek medical advice. With a 2-week-old baby, parents can get in tune with their little one and learn everything from their baby's hunger cues to their baby's different crying patterns. Parents should also pay attention if they notice unusual problems in their children, they should take their children to reputable medical facilities for examination and treatment.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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Reference sources: babycentre.co.uk, parents.com, verywellfamily.com, whattoexpect.com
SEE ALSO:
2nd week after the baby is born Clogged milk ducts after caesarean section, can you breastfeed? 3rd week after the baby is born