Your newborn baby will undergo a variety of physical changes during her first month. Here are some of the things you can expect to see:

Baby’s birth weight

• normal birth weight ranges from 5.5 pounds to 10 pounds
• 7.5 pounds is the average birth weight
• boys are usually heavier than girls
• first babies generally weigh less than later siblings
• large parents tend to have large babies, and small parents usually have small babies
• newborns lose around 8 ounces in the first few days after birth and regain it by about 10 days
• newborns typically gain about 4 to 8 ounces per week during the first month

Baby’s head and face

• average head circumference at birth is 13.5 inches
• by the end of the first month, the average head circumference is 14.8 inches
• a baby’s head and brain grow at their fastest rate during the first 4 months of life
• a baby born vaginally may have an irregularly shaped head and bruising which should correct itself by the end of week one
• babies commonly develop small pimples on the face in the first few weeks
• some babies have squinty, bloodshot eyes caused by swelling during labor and delivery
• babies’ eyes look bigger and brighter within a couple of weeks after birth
• baby — especially one born before her due date — may have downy hair on forehead and cheeks; it goes away within a few weeks
• babies may lose some or all of the hair they had at birth, creating temporary bald spots; new hair will replace it

Babies do a lot of changing and growing during the first month. Knowing what to expect can reduce the amount of stress and worry new parents have.

Source: Web MD

Read more about the exciting first month at Bringing baby home: Surviving the first month postpartum

No two babies are exactly alike — each develops at a unique pace. While most babies reach milestones at similar ages, even healthy, normal babies may fall behind in some areas or speed ahead in others.

According to the March of Dimes Foundation, here’s what you might expect by the end of baby’s first month:

• brings hands to face
• makes tight fists
• makes jerky arm movements
• moves from one cheek to another while lying on stomach
• focuses on objects about 12 inches away
• prefers looking at human faces, black-and-white, and high-contrast patterns
• hears well, and recognize parents’ voices

Milestones are based on your baby’s due date, not birthday. Babies born prematurely — before 37 weeks of pregnancy — will likely achieve milestones later than the above guidelines predict. If you have concerns that your baby’s progress is lagging, consult the doctor.

My personal favorite milestone is baby’s first laugh. Share your favorite…

Read more about baby behavior at Baby body language: The basics