Your baby is 1 week old — welcome to the beautiful, exhausting, and utterly transformative first days of parenthood.
What's Happening This Week
Your newborn is adjusting to life outside the womb, and honestly, so are you. Physically, your baby is operating almost entirely on reflexes right now. You will notice the rooting reflex (turning toward touch on the cheek), the sucking reflex, the Moro or "startle" reflex (arms fling out when they feel unsupported), and the grasp reflex (those tiny fingers will curl around yours with surprising strength). Your baby's movements are jerky and uncoordinated, and their head needs full support at all times. They may still be curled into a fetal position much of the time — that is completely normal.
Sensory development at week one is limited but meaningful. Your baby can see about 8 to 12 inches in front of their face, which is roughly the distance from your arms to your eyes during feeding. They cannot focus well yet, but they are drawn to high-contrast patterns and the edges of faces. Their hearing, however, is remarkably well developed. Your baby already recognizes your voice from their time in the womb and will turn toward familiar sounds. Touch is their most powerful sense right now — skin-to-skin contact regulates their temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
Emotionally, this week is all about bonding. Your baby communicates almost exclusively through crying, and that is their only tool for expressing hunger, discomfort, or the need to be held. Feeding happens frequently — every two to three hours for breastfed babies, sometimes slightly less often for formula-fed babies. Sleep dominates the day, with newborns sleeping 16 to 17 hours in short stretches. There is no schedule yet, and that is perfectly fine.
Play Ideas for Week 1
- Skin-to-skin time: Hold your baby against your bare chest. This is the single most powerful thing you can do this week. It supports bonding, regulates their body, and soothes both of you.
- Gentle talking and singing: Narrate your day, hum a lullaby, or simply talk softly. Your voice is their favorite sound in the world right now.
- High-contrast cards: Hold a simple black-and-white image about 10 inches from their face. They may not focus on it for long, but it gently stimulates their developing vision.
- Brief supervised tummy time: Place your baby on your chest while you recline — this counts as tummy time. Aim for just one to two minutes a few times a day. Always supervise closely.
What You Need
A comfortable, supportive surface for those first moments of tummy time makes a real difference — even at this early stage. A quality tummy time mat gives your baby a clean, cushioned space to spend their brief supervised minutes on their belly. You can explore our collection at /collections/tummy-time-mats to find one that works for your family.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
If your baby is not feeding well, seems unusually lethargic, has a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes that is worsening, reach out to your pediatrician right away. Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it is always worth a call.
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
For a complete overview, read our ultimate baby play mat guide.
FAQ
Is it normal for my newborn to lose weight in the first week?
Yes. Most newborns lose 5 to 10 percent of their birth weight in the first few days. They typically regain it by about two weeks of age. Your pediatrician will monitor this at early check-ups.
How long should tummy time be at 1 week?
Very brief — just one to two minutes at a time, a few times per day. Tummy time on your chest while you recline is a gentle and effective way to start. Always supervise, and stop if your baby becomes distressed.
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