Your 3-week-old baby is still a newborn, which means learning how to navigate life together is still very new for both you and your baby. You might be spending your time doing a lot of feeding, diaper changing, and hoping to catch a few hours of sleep.
Life with a 3-week-old baby can look a lot like life without any predictability—and while we might not be able to help with those middle-of-the-night feedings, we can help you learn more about what to expect with a 3-week-old baby.
Read on to learn about your 3-week-old baby from development and milestones to feeding and sleep, plus get some tips for taking care of your baby.
Newborn Baby Milestones to Know
3-Week-Old Baby Development
At 3 weeks old, your baby is still very much a newborn, but they are developing and growing every single day. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) details key development and milestones for babies at different ages. There are no specific 3-week-old baby milestones, but the AAP does outline what most babies should be able to do by 1 month, or around four weeks old.
Physical developments
Despite being only a few weeks fresh from the womb, your 3-week-old baby is already making remarkable strides in the physical strength and development department.
By 1 month old, the AAP explains that your baby should be able to:
Lift and turn their head for a few seconds while on their stomachLift their hands in the direction of their faceMake jerky arm motionsRock those newborn reflexes
Sound and vision-wise, most 3-week-old babies:
Focus best on things 8–12 inches away from their face (Fun fact: That's about the exact distance between their face and yours as you cradle them in your arms!)Recognize some soundsStart to turn toward noisesHave fully mature hearingPrefer human faces over everything elseMay still have crossed eyes that wander occasionally
Quick Tip
Young babies love looking at faces, so offer plenty of closeup time for you and your little one to stare lovingly into each other's eyes. Bold-pattern toys—like books, balls, and rattles with black-and-white stripes, bullseyes, or checkerboards—can also grab your baby's attention and help boost their developing vision.
Taking Care of Your 3-Week-Old Baby
As we mentioned earlier, you and your baby are still getting the hang of this thing called life together, so it's perfectly normal if you haven't mastered all parts of parenting yet. There's still plenty of time to learn everything you need to know about taking care of a baby, but for now, here are some things to expect with a 3-week-old baby, along with some tips that might help.
Sleep
Between 2 and 3 weeks old, your baby's still sleeping a lot. Three-week-old babies are classified as newborns, so they will snooze for 16-18 hours a day, usually in three- to four-hour stretches. And in between those snooze sessions? It's time to eat!
A 3-week-old baby's main job is growing, so your baby is eating and sleeping like it's their job, because it is. And don't worry if your baby's sleep-wake schedule is all over the map for now. Babies are still learning to differentiate between night and day, and they don't usually settle into any semblance of a regular schedule until 6 weeks of age or beyond.
Until then, it's very normal for babies to sleep when they want to, day or night.
Bath time
By 3 weeks old, your baby's umbilical cord should be long gone, so when you're ready for bathtime, it's safe to move from newborn sponge baths to baths in a tub. (And if your baby's umbilical cord has not completely fallen off, or looks red or swollen, be sure to let a health care provider know.)
If the idea of lathering and lifting that slippery, wiggly little body makes you nervous, invest in a baby bathtub with a sling or insert to cradle your baby.
Babies don't need to be bathed every single day, but bathtime can be a relaxing way to wind down at night as part of a bedtime routine and it may be necessary when those baby folds start to smell less-than-pleasant.
Before you get started, grab all your supplies and make sure they're within arm's reach, since you shouldn't take your hand off your baby for even a second once they're in their baby tub.
You'll need:
Baby washSoft washclothSmall cup for rinsingBaby hairbrushTowel
Next, give your baby a bath by following these steps:
Test for a lukewarm feel by dribbling some water on your wrist, or use a tub thermometer, aiming for 95 to 100 FFill the tub about 3 or 4 inches deep, then slide your baby in.Soap your baby up with the washcloth and baby wash being sure to wash in between folds, such as in the neck, armpits, thighs, and armpits. Do not wash inside the vagina or pull back a baby's foreskin.Gently massage your baby's scalp with the hairbrush.Rinse with a few cups of warm water, then wrap your baby up in a towel. All clean!Baby Genital Care 101: What Parents Need to Know
Feeding
Eating is your baby's full-time job right now and if you're breastfeeding or chestfeeding, it probably also feels like your full-time job too.
A 3-week-old baby should be fed on demand, which means that anytime your baby wants to nurse, you can safely feed them. Your 3-week-old baby will also most likely still be doing a lot of cluster feeding, especially as they grow.
On average, most newborns eat every 2 to 3 hours. If your baby is bottle-fed, they will most likely be eating around 2 to 3 ounces with every feeding, according to the AAP. However, keep in mind that all babies are different, and if you have any concerns about how much or how often your baby is eating, be sure to talk to your baby's pediatrician.
Parenting Your 3-Week-Old-Baby
The truth? Parenting is not always an easy journey and it's important to acknowledge that, even when you're only three weeks into it. And as your newborn gets older, the idyllic phase of snuggling with a sleeping baby may also start to look a little different.
For instance, if you happen to have a baby with colic, the crying could be in full-force right now and peak around the time your baby is 6 weeks old.
Dealing with a fussy baby can be very stressful, particularly if you're not sure how to soothe them. It may help to keep a list of potential solutions you can turn to, such as:
Offering a pacifierMassaging your baby's belly or backSwaddling your babyPopping your little one in the baby swingChanging their diaperChecking for irritations from clothingTaking your baby for a car ride or walk in a stroller or baby carrier
But no matter how prepared you are or what solutions you try, sometimes babies just cry. Babies can cry as a way to vent their out-of-control emotions when they're feeling overstimulated or overtired. They also might cry to them calm themselves down or because they're uncomfortable or are dealing with an issue like colic or gas.
Sometimes, you won't know how exactly to comfort your baby, which can be stressful. If your baby is changed and fed, it's OK for you to take a few minutes to calm yourself when you're feeling overwhelmed. As long as they are safe, they will be OK for a few minutes for you to take a breather.
If your baby's crying is ongoing and overwhelming, talk to your pediatrician to make sure nothing else is going on.
Practice Safe Sleep
As you get accustomed to having your little one at home, you want to be sure you are practicing safe sleep. This means putting your baby on their back in a crib or bassinet without any blankets or toys. You also should refrain from allowing them to sleep in swings or rockers. And if they fall asleep in the car, transfer them to their crib when you get home.
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