Your Baby’s Development at One Month Old
The first month of life your little was changed so month already! The baby is more alert and already has better visual awareness. Overall, your baby is much more extended (stretched out) and has more purposeful head movements. Random arm and leg movements, maximum effort required for head lifting while on their stomach, and a full head lag when pulled to sit, characterize the 1 month old.
Supine (while laying on their back)
While in a supine position the 1-month-old now demonstrates increase arm movements. Their arms are no longer resting close to their body and now has a wide range of should and movements. They now may even be able to grasp and hold onto an object for a brief period due to a reflex known as the grasp reflex, however the baby has no hand control. It is likely you must open their hand for them to hold onto a toy before quickly dropping it. Your baby’s hips are starting to loosen and now their legs may rest flatter on a surface as compared to at birth. They are demonstrating random kicking, both in a reciprocal pattern (one than the other) and symmetrical kicking. In addition to improved hip range of motion, the 1-month-olds head turns to each side more so than it did at birth. Because of this increase in range its likely your baby’s head is less frequently resting in the middle. The neck righting reaction (the immediate rotation of the body in the direction to which the head is rotated to) is still present, and this may still cause the baby to roll to the side spontaneously. Another reflex that may be present is known as the asymmetrical tonic neck reaction (ATNR). This reflex occurs when your baby turns their head in one direction and that arm extends, while the opposite arm bends. This is often referred to as a fencing posture. This reflex is usually most common during the second month. In the 1-month-old, as during the newborn phase, your baby has better vision on the side as compared to in the middle. Your baby can now visually track an object or face from the side to middle, although not smooth and may even be seen as jerky movements. High contrast black and white objects are best at this age.
Prone (while laying on their stomach)
While in a prone position that initial flexed posture is still present however less pronounced. Their head continues to be rotated to one side and they can now lift their head slighter higher and clear the nose better than as compared to the newborn stage. Head lighting also known as head righting is also stimulated though optical righting reactions. Visual feedback is used to adjust and orient the head and eyes with the horizon. At this age, most of your baby’s weight will be pushed up towards their arms making it difficult to have functional use of their arms as well as to lift their head. As your child gets older their weight will be shifted down more towards their pelvis, making it easier to use their arms and hands to play and extend their neck.
Sitting
When pulled to a sitting position from a supine position, the 1 month old does not have any head control and demonstrates what’s called a full head lag. This is normal at this age! You may start to see your baby try to assist however this is usually fleeting and unsuccessful. In a supported sitting position, your baby’s head falls forward and they are unable to successfully extend their head and neck.
Standing
Usually the standing position of a 1 month old does not differ from that of a newborn. The arms are usually bent at their elbows and their hips are bent well behind the shoulders. Automatic walking may still happen because of a reflex, the baby still lacks postural and balance control and purpose in this activity. Automatic walking usually disappears between the fourth and six weeks of life in a full term baby.