When Does The Newborn Period End?

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If you’re reading this, I know you’re probably exhausted and likely sleep-deprived. The newborn period is hard! You know you love your little human being more than anything, but yes this time period can feel overwhelming. 

These newborn days might feel like they are never-ending. Feeds blur into naps, nights stretch forever. You’re running on broken sleep, soothing, feeding, and changing your newborn without knowing if it’s Wednesday or Sunday.

I won’t tell you that it all goes by so fast, but the newborn period does end. And even better, when you look back on it, you’ll know it ends pretty sooner than you might have believed.

So if you’re wondering exactly when that moment comes, come let’s look at what counts as the newborn stage, what’s going on with your baby’s growth week by week, and how you can make the most of it (without overburdening yourself)!

The Newborn Age Range

I know, it feels daunting to hear, but the newborn period is actually pretty short. The World Health Organization (WHO) calls a baby a “newborn” from birth until 28 days old, which is not even a whole month. 

However, most parents (and honestly, many baby experts) stretch the “newborn stage” a bit further to around 2-3 months. Why? Because before 3 months babies are still doing all the “newborn” things. They are feeding frequently and sleeping most of the time. 

I like to think of the newborn period as the baby’s fourth trimester (and mom’s too)! They are adjusting from the dark, quiet, and cozy womb to this bright, loud, and cold world outside. And parents also learning and understanding their little human being.

When the newborn period ends around 8-12 weeks, your baby will now be an “infant” until they are one year old. 

Newborn Baby Development

During the newborn period, your baby is growing at the fastest speed ever. The remarkably rapid newborn growth might be the reason having a newborn feels so exhausting for the first few weeks! 

Your newborn drops a bit of birth weight in the first few days (which is totally normal), and usually climbs back up by two weeks! Then onwards, your newborn may gain around 5-7 ounces per week.

Their brains continue to build up millions of new synapses (neural connections) every single day. Their eyesight is still blurry beyond 8-12 inches, but they can recognize your voice and smell by birth. (1)

You’ll also notice several instinctive reflexes during this period. The Startle Reflex in response to loud noise, the Rooting Reflex when you touch their cheek, and the Grasping Reflex when they can’t let go of your finger (or hairs)!

Newborn Milestones Week-by-Week 

These first twelve weeks are full of tiny but amazing changes. Some days feel like a blur (because they are!), but each week your baby is growing and learning day by day.

Here’s what to expect and how to support your newborn week by week: 

Week 1

Your baby is learning to breathe, feed, and sleep in this new world. Lots of skin-to-skin contact helps them feel secure. Tummy time on your chest is perfect at this stage. We have a whole blog post breaking down 5 best ways to practice tummy time with newborns here!

Week 2 

The second week is usually when the first growth spurt arrives! It’s when babies have regained their birth weight, and are feeding more often than usual to meet the increasing demands of their growing body. 

Make sure you are tuning into baby’s cues for feeding more than watching the clock. Be sure to check out our blog that breaks down what’s normal when it comes to feeding your newborn for more!

Week 3 

By week three, your newborn’s wake windows start to get a bit longer, where you’ll find a few minutes to incorporate simple play activities in routine. The umbilical cord stump has likely fallen off, so it’s a great time to bring the baby to the floor and play with them!

Week 4 

Your almost one-month old may now try to lift their head briefly, and even turn their head around during tummy time. Your baby can now focus on your face. So talk with your baby a lot and don’t forget to pause when talking to give them time to process too!

Weeks 5-6

Until now, your baby had a reflexive smile (they smiled because it was involuntary muscle movement). Somewhere around four to six weeks, the first real smile happens! (2)

Your baby is more alert and starting to enjoy the interaction. Simply look at your baby, and smile at them. If they make a noise, imitate it for them and continue the conversation!

Weeks 7-8 

Your baby’s vision range starts getting better day by day. Continue using high-contrast black, white and red toys or cards to work on tracking eye movements. Your baby will now spend a longer time awake, and try to explore everything. 

Weeks 9-12

Between 2-3 months, your little one will officially “graduate” from the newborn stage. You’ll start seeing them bringing their hands to mouth for oral exploration, which means it’s the perfect time to introduce teethers. 

Lay them on the floor, and practice lots of sidelying play with your baby in preparation for rolling and midline grasping. 

Baby Milestones By Month

What Can One Month Old Babies Do?

In the first few weeks of life, newborn babies sleep a lot. It might seem like all your one month old baby does is to “feed, sleep and poop.” But there’s really a lot more than that. You can actually play with your baby even when they are a newborn! 

Your one month old milestones are all about bonding with your baby. Feeding is still frequent, and sorry, sleep really has got no magic fix (yet)!

At one month, you’ll find your newborn more active and alert. You’ll also see them moving their arms and legs more smoothly, and begin to recognize you.

Two Month Old Milestones

Between 4-8 weeks, your newborn is becoming more social. The first real smile emerges, and they start cooing when you talk to them. They can also follow your face and track objects from side-to-side (2). 

Your 2 month old baby can hold their head up a little longer during tummy time. If you see them struggling with tummy time, and just not being comfortable, even in frequent, shorter intervals, check out this blog post on how to make tummy time enjoyable!

Three Month Old Milestones 

Your 3 month old baby is no longer the sleepy newborn you brought home! They can now easily turn their head in both directions when laying on their back and on their tummy. 

You’ll find them trying to bring their hands to midline, and grasp any toy or object placed. They will soon start to reach for, and bat at toys hanging overhead. (3)

When you’re face-to-face with your three-month-old, you’ll see a lot more connection. They are maintaining eye contact, smiling and just interacting with you.  

Check out this blog about all the best play activities for your 3-month-old. 

Signs Your Baby Is Outgrowing the Newborn Phase

You might not notice it happening day by day, but around 2-3 months, suddenly you’ll realize, your baby is no longer a newborn! 

Your baby starts to have longer wake windows, where they can now stay alert for 60-90 minutes rather than those brief 15-20 minutes. Their sleep and feeding is becoming more predictable, and you’re starting to recognize new routines. 

Your baby’s social smile and eye contact is just adorable. Stronger head and neck control during tummy time means they will push up and look around their environment.

When Does the Newborn Stage Really End?

Some sources say 8 weeks, some say 10-12 weeks, but really just remember that it’s the shortest period of all! 

So yes, having a newborn is so exhausting, but also filled with so many “firsts” that bring so much excitement! The nights may feel long and lonely, but the newborn stage is going to be over in just a few weeks!

And as the newborn haze begins to lift, and you’re starting to feel like yourself a bit, that’s when the fun part begins, play!

Playing with your baby (even when they are newborn) is actually simpler than you might think! You don’t really need fancy toys or elaborate setups to help your little one meet their milestones.

Babies learn best through play, and you are your baby’s favorite toy. You may be wondering exactly how to play with your baby as they grow. And we made it so simple and so much fun! That’s what our Infant Playbook is all about! 

We have created a month-by-month guide with over 100 play ideas that require no toys, and help your baby meet all of their milestones in the first year.

Download it Here!

Sources:

1. Vaglio S. (2009). Chemical Communication and Mother-Infant Recognition. Communicative & integrative biology, 2(3), 279–281. 
2. Rossetti, L. (2006). Infant-Toddler Language Scale: A Measure of Communication and Interaction. Linguisystems.
3.  Folio, M. R., Fewell, R. R. (2000). PDMS-2 Peabody Developmental Motor Scales Second Edition. Austin, TX: PRO-ED, Inc.