What a newborn baby does in the first two weeks
A newborn already sees, hears and smells. Vision is sharpest at about 20–30 cm — roughly the distance to your face during a feed — hearing is fully mature at birth, and your baby knows the scent of their own mother's milk from day one. Most of the first fortnight is feeding, sleeping and recovering birthweight.
What is my baby doing at newborn?
- Your baby may be seeing you best from 20–30 cm — feeding distance.Source: AAP · Infant Vision Development
- Your baby may be recognising your voice; hearing is fully mature.Source: AAP · Milestones at 1 Month
- Your baby may be knowing the scent of their own mother's milk.Source: AAP · Milestones at 1 Month
- Your baby may be preferring your face over any pattern.Source: AAP · Milestones at 1 Month
What does a baby need at this stage?
Feed often — at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours
In the first days it can be as often as every hour. That is the milk supply being built, not a problem.
What to do: Offer the breast or bottle whenever the cues appear, day and night.
Source: NHS · Breastfeeding: the first few daysOnly 2 or 3 wet nappies is expected right now
In the first 48 hours the count is genuinely low. It climbs sharply once the milk comes in.
What to do: Note each nappy as it happens — the ramp over the next days is what matters, not today's number.
Source: NHS · Is my baby getting enough milk?Follow the cues, not the clock
Rooting, hands to the mouth and lip smacking are the early signs. Crying is a late one.
What to do: Offer a feed at the first cue rather than waiting for the cry.
Source: AAP · How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?Burp through the feed, not just at the end
With a bottle, pausing about every 60–90 ml works better than one burp at the end; when nursing, switching sides is the natural moment.
What to do: Rotate the three holds: on your shoulder, sitting on your lap, or face-down across your lap with the head above the chest.
Source: AAP · Baby Burping, Hiccups & Spit-UpFrom today, look for 6 or more heavy wet nappies a day
The wee should be almost colourless or pale yellow. Alongside them, at least 2 soft yellow stools a day.
What to do: If the wet count sits below 6 for a day, ring your midwife or health visitor.
Source: NHS · Is my baby getting enough milk?Weight gain restarts around day 5
Birthweight is usually back by about 2 weeks, and almost all babies have regained it by 3 weeks.
What to do: Log a weight when you have one — the trend across weeks is the useful part.
Source: AAP · Your Baby's First MonthFollow the cues, not the clock
Rooting, hands to the mouth and lip smacking are the early signs. Crying is a late one.
What to do: Offer a feed at the first cue rather than waiting for the cry.
Source: AAP · How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?Burp through the feed, not just at the end
With a bottle, pausing about every 60–90 ml works better than one burp at the end; when nursing, switching sides is the natural moment.
What to do: Rotate the three holds: on your shoulder, sitting on your lap, or face-down across your lap with the head above the chest.
Source: AAP · Baby Burping, Hiccups & Spit-UpThings worth knowing at newborn
- Your baby sees you best from 20–30 cm away — almost exactly the distance to your face during a feed.Source: AAP · Infant Vision Development
- Hearing is fully mature at birth — your baby may already turn toward familiar voices.Source: AAP · Milestones at 1 Month
- Your baby can recognise the scent of their own mother's milk — smell is working from day one.Source: AAP · Milestones at 1 Month
- Losing a little weight in the first days is normal — most babies are back at birthweight by 3 weeks.Source: NHS · Your baby's weight and height
- Faces are your baby's favourite thing to look at — preferred over any other pattern.Source: AAP · Milestones at 1 Month
- Those fleeting newborn smiles are practice runs — the real social smile arrives by the end of month two.Source: AAP · When Do Babies First Smile?
- Your baby prefers sweet smells and turns away from bitter ones — taste and smell arrived ready.Source: AAP · Milestones at 1 Month
- Talk softly and watch the tiny lip movements — that's your baby holding their side of the conversation.Source: AAP · Social Development: Birth to 3 Months
When should I call a doctor?
Some signs mean call the same day whatever the stage — a rectal temperature of 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) or higher under three months, fewer wet nappies with a dry mouth, or a baby who is unusually hard to wake. The full list, with thresholds and sources.
Next: 2-Week-Old Baby: What to Expect.
This is general information, not a substitute for your own doctor, midwife or health visitor — they know your baby, and this page does not.
Track feeds, nappies and sleep — free No account, works offline, your entries stay on your device