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My baby is one month old. What can my baby do at this age?

Last Updated: October 04, 2007

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A one-month-old baby will cry when hungry, wet, tired, in pain, or when needing to be held. Baby will begin to make some throaty sounds and root around trying to suck even when not feeding. Baby will begin to roll part way from back to side, so never leave baby unattended or baby may fall. Baby may keep hands in a fist or slightly open most of the time. Baby likes to be held. Spend as much time as possible (when baby is awake) smiling and talking gently to baby, and do not worry about spoiling baby because baby thrives on this parent-infant contact. Baby can recognize Mom's smell, voice, and heartbeat and will tune in to Mom's rhythm. Baby will also begin to recognize others who are close caregivers such as Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa. Baby likes contrasting colors and will stare at objects. Baby cannot reach for objects yet, but baby loves to look at different things. Baby likes faces most of all and will begin smiling (real smiles) between two and eight weeks old. To keep baby safe, make sure when holding baby you have your hand behind baby's neck so baby's head does not wobble, and keep the sides of the crib latched whenever baby is alone in the crib.

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