Milestones that make parenting your newborn easier
As your newborn passes through the milestones of learning to self-soothe, outgrowing colic, and sleeping through the night, parenting your newborn will get easier.
Caring for a newborn isn't easy, but this challenging stage will not last long. Take a deep breath and look for these milestones in your newborn's near future. With each milestone, parenting your newborn will become easier.
Every baby is unique, but there are certain milestones you can look forward to that will make parenting your newborn easier.
Sleeping through the night. One of the reasons caring for a newborn is so challenging is that you, as a caregiver, are likely to be very tired. You're getting up several times in the night to soothe your crying baby. Fortunately, most babies start sleeping through the night by about 2-3 months of age.
Sleeping through the night means sleeping about 6 hours without waking. Some babies take longer to reach this milestone, but rest assured they too will eventually sleep through the night. Caring for a newborn gets much easier once you can get several hours of uninterrupted sleep.
You learn what works for your baby. There is no universal parenting trick for soothing a newborn. Some babies are soothed when a parent sings to them, while other babies are very sensitive to sounds and might require complete silence to calm down. As you learn what works well for your baby, caring for your newborn will get easier.
Self-regulation and self-soothing skills develop. Self-regulation is the ability to control your own behavior and emotions. This is an important skill for your baby to learn. As it develops, it'll make your job as a parent a little easier. When you comfort your baby, such as by rocking or swaddling, your baby is learning how to comfort themselves as well.
Your patience and hard work will pay off. After the three-month mark, your baby will be better able to self-regulate and self-soothe.
Colic resolves. As many as one in four newborns have colic. Colic is when a baby cries for a long time without any clear reason. Many newborns experience colic in the first 6 weeks of life, and this can be very stressful for parents. The good news is that colic usually resolves itself by 3-4 months of age. If your baby's doctor confirms colic is the reason behind your newborn's endless crying, hang in there and know it'll get better in a matter of weeks.
Breastfeeding gets easier. Most new mothers who choose to breastfeed face challenges getting started. Struggling with breastfeeding can be very stressful for mothers and newborns alike. Don't give up. Contact a lactation consultant if you need extra help or support. Breastfeeding gets easier with practice and experience, and the benefits are well worth the effort.
FAQs
While it'll get easier with each passing day, you can expect caring for your newborn will be much easier by the time they're about 3 months old. As you're waiting with anticipation for when caring for your newborn gets easier, it's important to make sure you're taking good care of yourself.
What is the hardest week with a newborn? ›
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new born baby. And while people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
What age are babies the hardest to take care of? ›
1-3 Months
The first three months with your baby often seem the hardest. Sleep-deprived parents can feel overwhelmed, but that is normal and you will quickly learn how to read your baby's cues and personality. Don't worry about “spoiling” your baby at this stage.
How long does it take to adjust to a newborn? ›
Becoming a parent is a big life change, so it's a given that it'll take some time to get used to. According to a study led by the baby brand Munchkin, on average it takes most new moms four months and 23 days to adjust to motherhood, a new baby and a new lifestyle.
What is the most exhausting age to parent? ›
These findings may seem surprising if you've never had an 8-year-old, but there are some reasons a child's eighth year can be especially challenging from a parent's perspective. Eight-year-olds can be stubborn, slamming doors and rolling their eyes, in their attempts to establish their independence and individuality.
At what week does newborn life get easier? ›
While it'll get easier with each passing day, you can expect caring for your newborn will be much easier by the time they're about 3 months old.
What weeks are newborns Fussiest? ›
Often, babies experience a peak in fussiness and crying around 6-8 weeks. While this is a normal part of newborn development, here are some culprits that may make fussiness more likely: Your baby is overtired: Newborns from birth to 12 weeks can become overtired quickly.
What is depleted mother syndrome? ›
Mom burnout sometimes called depleted mother syndrome, is the feeling of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of fulfillment caused by intense child care demands. Burnout is the result of too much stress and a lack of resources for coping with it.
At what age do babies prefer mom? ›
Babies sometimes prefer their primary caregiver.
This is especially true after 6 months when separation anxiety starts to set in. If one parent starts to assume more of the everyday caregiving, they may become the new "favorite."
How long is the newborn stage? ›
Per the World Health Organization (WHO), the newborn phase lasts for a baby's first 28 days of life — that is, the first month after birth.
Common non-pathological causes of crying
at birth: 16 hours. at 2–3 months: 15 hours. a 6 week old baby generally becomes tired after being awake for 1.5 hours. a 3 month old baby generally becomes tired after being awake for 2 hours.
What do I do with my newborn all day? ›
Here are ways you can spend time together and help your newborn learn about their surroundings:
- Narrate your day. There are few sounds your baby loves more than your voice. ...
- Give them some tummy time. ...
- Dance with them. ...
- Give your baby a home tour. ...
- Read a book. ...
- Provide a sensory experience.
Some feel an intense attachment within the first minutes or days after their baby's birth. For others, it may take a bit longer. But bonding is a process, not something that takes place within minutes or that can only happen within a certain time period after birth.
What is the ideal mom age? ›
Your fertility naturally declines as you get older, which could make it harder for you to conceive. And starting a family later in life could pose greater risks for pregnancy complications. Experts say the best time to get pregnant is between your late 20s and early 30s.
How old is the average mom? ›
More than two decades ago the average age of a first-time mother was 24.9. Now, the average woman or birthing person is having their first child at 27.5 - a record high in the country. Researchers have found that a major factor in this change of age is the decline of teen moms.
What age are parents least happy? ›
The authors also found that children in their teenage years bring less happiness to their parents than kids under the age of 10, and single parents are generally less happy than those in two-parent families.
Why is week 6 the hardest newborn? ›
There is usually a 6-week-old baby growth spurt, so if your child is fussier and hungrier than usual, that's probably why.
What week is no longer newborn? ›
Newborn usually refers to a baby from birth to about 2 months of age. Children can be considered an infant anywhere from birth to 1 year old. Baby can refer to any child from birth to age 4 years old, thus encompassing newborns, infants, and toddlers.
What are the hardest nights with a newborn? ›
Night two can bring way more crying that the first 24 hours. The theory is that during the second to third day postpartum, your newborn is discovering they are no longer in the comforts of your womb.
At what week do most babies survive? ›
By the time you're 24 weeks pregnant, the baby has a chance of survival if they are born. Most babies born before this time cannot live because their lungs and other vital organs are not developed enough. The care that can now be given in baby (neonatal) units means more and more babies born early do survive.
