2 weeks old baby

What's New For Infants

Every week of your baby’s life, he will seem a bit more alert and awake. You will see that you are having a bit more fun with him, and will find him doing and learning new things, as little as they may seem. While your baby will still spend much of his time sleeping and eating, you will notice that he is awake a little bit more during this time, and definitely focusing more on his surroundings.

At this point he may startle even while sleeping, and he will jump at loud noises, but not wake up. These noises could range from the phone ringing, to a dog barking, to the vacuum cleaner running. This reflex helps protect newborns and helps them sleep through noise and is the reason why many newborns can sleep in a room that has a loud radio playing or vacuuming.

Developmental Milestones*

By the end of the month your baby will most definitely be able to lift and hold his head off the floor slightly, for a small period of time during tummy time. By this point some babies can lift their heads to about a 45 degree angle, and there are a few that can even lift their heads to a 90 degree angle. You might notice your baby making noises other than cries, perhaps even like dove coos! If you are lucky, you might see your baby's beautiful smile for the first time during the first month

It's a scary world

Your womb was a warm and cozy environment, and it'll take time for your baby to adjust to the various sights, sounds, and sensations of life outside your body. You may not be able to detect much of a personality just yet, as your baby spends his time moving in and out of several different states of sleepiness, quiet alertness, and active alertness.

The only way your baby knows to communicate is by crying, but you can communicate with him through your voice and your touch. (Your baby can now recognize your voice and pick it out among others.)

Your baby probably loves to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. He may even make an "ah" sound when he hears your voice or sees your face, and he'll be eager to find you in a crowd.

Colic cries

If your baby cries for more than three hours in a row on three or more days a week for at least three weeks, and there's no medical explanation for his distress, chances are he's colicky — a term used to describe uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby.

A colicky baby may act truly uncomfortable — alternately extending or pulling up his legs and passing gas. His crying and discomfort can happen at any time of day, but it's usually most intense between 6 p.m. and midnight.

Thankfully, colic doesn't last forever. Sixty percent of babies will be through the worst of it by 3 months, and 90 percent are better by 4 months of age.

Innie or outtie?

After your baby was born, your doctor (or your partner) painlessly cut his umbilical cord, leaving an umbilical stump. You'll notice during your baby's first couple of weeks that the remaining piece of cord tissue will begin to fall off.

During this time, give your baby sponge baths instead of tub baths to keep the area dry. When the cord has totally separated and fallen off, what remains is your baby's cute belly button.

Take it slow

You may notice your baby becoming irritable or fussy at the end of the day. This is normal. It could be that your baby is just overwhelmed by all the new sights and sounds. (There's a lot to take in even if your home is relatively calm.)

A baby's heart rate and sucking patterns actually change when he encounters a new sound. When you see your baby getting agitated, arrange for some quiet time — a massage, snuggle, or rocking — to help soothe him

Picking a right baby names

Picking the right name for your child is a daunting task. It will stick with them for life, so the pressure's on! And while some countries have strict rosters of appropriate names you can choose from, in America almost anything goes. With all the options, it can be extremely overwhelming.

Where do I begin?

Start discussing names with your partner as soon as possible to set some guidelines. Keep a list of favorites handy so you can add to it whenever a name pops into your head.

There are lots of considerations when you're deciding on a name, such as appeasing relatives, avoiding embarrassing initials or nicknames, and steering clear of monikers associated with bad memories. These are a few tips for you when picking a name

* Sound and compatibility. How your baby's name sounds when it's said aloud is one of the most essential things to think about. Is it melodious? Harsh? Does it go well with your last name? Often, longer first names work better with shorter last names, and vice versa. Combining a first name that ends in a vowel with a last name that starts with a vowel generally isn't the best choice.

* Uniqueness. An unusual name has the advantage of making the bearer stand out from the crowd. On the other hand, a name no one has heard of and few can pronounce can bring attention a child would rather avoid. One way of striking a balance is to choose a familiar first name if the child's last name is unusual, and vice versa.

* Relatives and friends. Many parents choose to name their babies after a grandparent, other relative, or close friend. This option can provide you with a good pool of names to consider. Take ideas graciously, but don't tell anyone what you and your partner have decided until after the baby is born.

* Ancestry and heritage. Your child's heritage is an essential part of who she is, and you may want her name to reflect that. Your religious preference may steer you toward a certain category of names. Or perhaps your family has a tradition of naming first-born sons after their fathers.

* Meaning. No one is likely to treat your daughter differently because her name means "hero's daughter," but the derivation of your baby's name is something you may want to think about.

* Initials and nicknames. People, especially kids, can be cruel when it comes to nicknames, so try to anticipate any potentially embarrassing ones. Of course, just because you don't think of something doesn't mean some clever second-grader down the line won't and he'll probably find it utterly hilarious. But at least you can rule out the obvious problems. Also, be aware of what your child's initials spell.

Remember, none of these are hard rules. The most important criterion for a name is simply that you and your partner like it.