Baby Of Mine

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Here she is. This is the day we brought our daughter home.

Honestly, I can't remember much. It's a blur. On top of becoming a mama, I was recovering from an emergency c-section. To top it off, I was totally overwhelmed with all those incredible, amazing, crazy feelings that overcome you when you become a parent.

As I mentioned in my first post, I totally thought I was ready for this. Holy cow. What a ride. I had no idea. Everyone has their stories. My guess is that you have (or soon will) have yours. Hold on to them. Write them down. Video and take the pictures. It all flies in the blink of an eye.

I have a few friends who are waiting for their own little one to be born. Like most of us, they are in the process of scouring the web, parenting books and magazines. Like most of us, they think they will be ready too.

Development is amazing. Within days and the first month babies grow and change so much.

When I was thinking about today's post, I was trying to recall what those first days were like.

Ah, yes. I recall what I was doing...lots of nursing (lots and lots of nursing) and little sleeping. Yep, that about sums it up.

As for my little girl, Ella, well, she was doing what most newborns are doing...lots of nursing (lots and lots of nursing) and sleeping. Alot.

In thinking back to what else she was doing and how quickly developmental changes were taking place, I came across the following typical developmental milestones for babies at one month of age. Of course, development is anything but "typical," but thought it worthy of passing on:

Movement milestones

• Makes jerky, quivering arm thrusts
• Brings hands within range of eyes and mouth
• Moves head from side to side while lying on stomach
• Head flops backward if unsupported
• Keeps hands in tight fists
• Strong reflex movements

Visual and hearing milestones

• Focuses 8 to 12 inches (20.3 to 30.4 cm) away
• Eyes wander and occasionally cross
• Prefers black-and-white or high-contrast patterns
• Prefers the human face to all other patterns
• Hearing is fully mature
• Recognizes some sounds
• May turn toward familiar sounds and voices

Smell and touch milestones

• Prefers sweet smells
• Avoids bitter or acidic smells
• Recognizes the scent of his own mother’s breastmilk
• Prefers soft to coarse sensations
• Dislikes rough or abrupt handling

For the full article listing, check out: www.aap.org

 What were your first days like when you brought your little one home?

 

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