The first month of children's life is a joyful and exciting period

Finally, this important event happened - your baby was born, and after a few days was at home. And his parents have a lot of questions: "How to take care of the baby, how to feed and bathe, how to develop?" In the first weeks after birth, not only does the baby adapt to the world around him, but parents also get used to the child, learn to satisfy his needs and take care of him. The first month of children's life is a rather difficult period for all members of the family. In this article we will consider the physiological features of newborns, their mental development. Also we will tell you how to properly care for an infant.

Physiological and neuropsychic development in the first month of life of children

In the period of newborn, that is, from the time of birth to 3-4 weeks of age, the baby adapts to the extra-uterine independent life, all its systems and organs begin to function correctly. At this time the child has regular breathing and blood circulation is being restructured. In the first month of life, the umbilical wound gradually heals, the skin covers adapt to the environment, etc. The newborn loudly screams, has pink skin, regular pulse and loud heart tones. The infant's movements are active, but chaotic, the legs and arms are in a bent state, since the extensor muscles are not yet sufficiently developed. All his motor activity is built on congenital reflexes: upper and lower grasping, as well as reflexes of crawling, prop and walking. The baby is about 80% of the time sleeping, and the periods of wake are equal to 20-30 minutes. In total, the child is in active phase about 2-4 hours a day. The baby is awakened from the discomfort caused by hunger. After sleep and feeding, the child may be a little scared, unconsciously jerking the handles and legs. After healing of the umbilical wound, the crumb begins to lay out a little on the tummy, which allows to strengthen the muscles of the neck and back, and also improves digestion and stimulates the release of gases. The newborn does not see well, he is short-sighted and can examine objects or the face of the parent only at a distance of half a meter. At loud sounds, the baby reacts with a flinch - the so-called Moro reflex. The child is well developed search (helping to find and grab the nipple) and sucking reflexes. The key to productive saturation with breast milk is the absence in the "arsenal" of parents of pacifiers and bottles. Eats a newborn every 1.5-2 hours, feeding is not interrupted even at night. The actual intake of food lasts about 20 minutes. The weight of the baby should increase by 700-1000 g, and the height - by 2 or 3 cm per month. At normal temperature in the room, adequate clothing and full-fledged breastfeeding, the child is not doped with water.

As for neuropsychic development, in 1 month of life a child can distinguish between tastes (bitter, sweet, salty and sour), react to sharp and loud sounds. Two weeks after birth, the child already knows how to focus on the sound: after hearing a noise, stops moving and listens. Approximately by the end of the 4th week, visual concentration on the bright object or on the face of the mother appears. Baby recognizes relatives and reacts to them with a smile, movements of hands and feet. In the first month of the life of children, the need for communication is laid, fine emotional connections are established with significant adults. Therefore, for a full-fledged physical and mental development, it is necessary to provide full-fledged breastfeeding and care for the baby competently.

The first month of a child's life: care and development

The main thing that is required from the mother is providing breastfeeding and emotional affinity with the baby. To feed the newborn should be on demand, offering a breast every 2 or 2.5 hours, and even more often. Do not give a baby a dummy, because the baby is still weak, and therefore will spend his energy on her sucking, tired and bad to take the breast, which will lead to insufficient weight gain and wrong grip of the nipple.

Care of the child consists in bathing, processing of an umbilical wound and care of a skin. Before healing, the umbilical wound is treated with a green or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If the wound becomes wet or there is a suppuration, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician. To bathe the baby begins after healing of the umbilical wound (approximately on the 10th day of life). Pediatricians are advised to bathe the baby in boiled water, where it is necessary to add a solution of potassium permanganate. The water temperature in the bath is maintained in the redistribution of 36-37 degrees. After bathing, the baby's body is dipped with a soft towel and processed by the groin area, wrinkles on the neck, handles and legs. For procedures use special children's cosmetics or olive oil. Wash the baby with warm water and baby soap.

For a full-fledged mental development, a newborn needs close emotional contact with his mother, affection, embrace, and being on his hands. Also you need to play with a crumb. For this purpose, a bright rattle will do. During the waking period, you need to drive a rattle in front of the baby's eyes at a distance of about 20-25 cm. Seeing that the baby has focused on the subject, lead them from side to side, and so that the baby follows his eyes. Wear a baby in your arms, caress, rock, creating for him a comfortable and peaceful environment.