Baby Daily Life
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Letting baby cry himself to sleep: methods, benefits and limits
Already 1 month! It’s already been several weeks since your baby came and shook up your daily routine. And as you’ve probably noticed, they’re growing and already acquiring new abilities. Motor development, sleep, feeding… What’s going on with your baby right now?
1-month-old baby: here’s everything you need to know.
Motor and Cognitive Development
In just one month, your baby has already changed a lot: they’re developing not only physically but also cognitively. Let’s look at these new milestones.
Motor Development
Your baby’s psychomotor development follows several principles, including the cephalocaudal rule. In other words, the closer a muscle is to the brain, the sooner it will be controlled. Development progresses from head to toe.
At 1 month, your baby first begins to acquire neck control. This control ability will then gradually extend down the body.
Here’s what you may observe:
- Head control: although their head still drops when unsupported, your baby is beginning to lift it when on their stomach.
- Involuntary movements: they don’t yet have full control of their limbs, but they’re not immobile! Their limb movements are still mostly reflexive and involuntary.
- Sucking and sucking reflex: this reflex is essential for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
Cognitive Development
Cognitive development in a 1-month-old baby mainly focuses on their ability to perceive and respond to their environment.
- Limited vision: your baby can only see up to 30 centimeters and mainly detects contrasts. At this stage, their vision allows them to follow objects with their eyes, especially your face, if they’re close and moving slowly.
- Voice recognition: although they don’t understand words yet, your baby recognizes and is comforted by your voice.
When to worry?
The developmental stages mentioned above are general indicators of a baby’s progress. However, every child develops at their own pace! So don’t worry if your baby is ahead or behind others.
However, if you notice a sudden halt in development, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.
Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.
Language and Communication
At 1 month, your baby begins their fascinating journey into the world of language and communication. While they can’t speak yet, they already have powerful ways of communicating. Infants mainly use crying to express hunger, discomfort, or fatigue. These cries are the first signs of language development. In the second month, your baby will likely begin making their first cooing sounds (“goo-goo”), an early step toward language.
To encourage language and communication development, it’s important to create an environment rich in interaction. Here are some daily ways to stimulate them:
- Talking: even though they don’t understand words yet, your voice is familiar and soothing. Talk to them during feedings, describe what you’re doing, or tell them about your day. It supports their development and strengthens your bond.
- Skin-to-skin contact: physical contact fosters nonverbal communication and strengthens the emotional connection between you and your baby (though it’s not mandatory — there are as many ways to bond as there are parents).
- Using facial expressions: your baby is fascinated by faces. Exaggerate your facial expressions when you talk to help them grasp the emotional context of your words.
- Responding to their cries: by responding to your baby’s cries, you show them that their attempts to communicate are effective.
Feeding and Nutrition
At 1 month, your baby’s diet consists exclusively of milk, whether breastmilk or formula. Milk is their main source of nutrients, essential for their growth and development.
Feeding frequency varies between babies, but it’s generally recommended to feed on demand — that is, whenever your baby shows signs of hunger, such as crying or sucking motions.
Breastfeeding
Choosing between breastfeeding and formula is a deeply personal decision. The only right choice is what works best for you. Don’t hesitate to discuss it with your healthcare professionals during pregnancy.
As for breastmilk: it is tailored to your baby’s needs, providing antibodies that strengthen their immune system and protect against infection.
If you’re breastfeeding, here are some practical tips:
- Remember: find a comfortable position for both you and your baby (skin-to-skin contact can help stimulate the sucking reflex), and bring your baby to the breast with their mouth wide open for a good latch.
- Feeding rhythm: let your baby feed at their own pace. It’s normal for them to fall asleep during feeding — it’s a soothing moment.
- Support: don’t hesitate to ask a lactation consultant for help and personalized advice.
Infant Formula
If you choose formula, don’t feel guilty: it’s a healthy and nutritious alternative for your baby — and most importantly, it’s what suits you best. Here are some tips:
- Choosing the right formula: ask your pediatrician for guidance in choosing the right one.
- Use a physiological feeding position: a semi-upright position is ideal for bottle-feeding, as it helps your baby better control milk flow.
- Feeding rhythm and quantity: let your baby drink at their pace, respecting the recommended amounts. Again, it’s normal for them to fall asleep during feeding.
Good to know: between 1 week and 1 month, for a baby weighing 3 to 4 kg, it’s recommended to give 7 to 8 bottles per day.
Sleep of a 1-Month-Old Baby
Ah, baby sleep…! While there’s no manual, here are a few insights to help you understand how sleep works for a 1-month-old baby.
At this stage, your baby is beginning to develop a more structured sleep pattern, although they still don’t distinguish between day and night. They sleep for 16 to 20 hours per day, in very short cycles of 40 to 50 minutes.
Good to know: during the first few weeks, your baby’s sleep is made up of two phases: active (REM) sleep and quiet sleep. REM sleep accounts for about 80% of total sleep (8 to 10 hours a day). That’s why they may move, stretch, make noises, or open their eyes while sleeping! In quiet sleep, their face is calm, breathing steady, and body relaxed.
Night Wakings
Frequent night wakings are completely normal for a 1-month-old. They are usually related to:
- Short sleep cycles: your baby doesn’t yet know how to fall back asleep on their own.
- Hunger: with a small stomach, they need to eat frequently.
How to Improve Your Baby’s Sleep?
Though it’s too early to establish a full sleep routine or expect a full night’s sleep, some tips may help your baby (and you) sleep better:
- Create a calming sleep environment: make sure their sleep space is quiet and dimly lit.
- Introduce a bedtime ritual: simple actions like a lullaby or skin-to-skin before bed can help.
- Respond to their needs: answer their cries to reassure them and help them fall asleep more easily.
- Watch for signs of tiredness: try to spot when your baby is getting tired so you can put them to sleep before they’re overtired. (These signs are hard to read at this age but will become clearer over time.)
Health and Medical Care
Regular check-ups with a pediatrician or general practitioner allow you to monitor your baby’s development and stay up to date with required vaccinations.
Between 1 and 6 months, it’s recommended to schedule monthly visits. These check-ups help monitor your baby’s weight, height, and head circumference. Your doctor will also assess muscle tone and overall development. It’s also a great time to ask questions and get personalized advice.
Tip: before each appointment, make a list of questions and bring any important documents, such as your insurance card and your baby’s health record.
Vaccines This Month
The vaccination schedule starts in the first few months of life. Starting in month two, your baby will receive their first vaccines to protect against serious illnesses. While the BCG vaccine (for tuberculosis) has not been mandatory in France since 2007, it is still strongly recommended in specific cases (such as if your baby is from or traveling to a country with high tuberculosis prevalence, or has family history of exposure).
Take this opportunity to ask about upcoming required vaccinations as well.
Common Illnesses at 1 Month
Babies at this age are often prone to mild illnesses like colds or colic (both of which should be managed promptly to avoid complications). If your baby shows unusual or persistent symptoms, consult a pediatrician for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
In conclusion, at 1 month, your baby is slowly beginning to take control of their body, starting with the head and neck. Their cognitive abilities are also improving, and they communicate mainly through crying.
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Photos: sarawaniza | ckstockphoto | StiahailoAnastasiia | natalialebedinskaia | monkeybusiness
This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.
