5-Week-Old Baby
As the weeks go by, you’re likely settling into your role as a parent and beginning to forget what life was even like before baby arrived. Hopefully something of a daily rhythm is starting to emerge, though it can often feel like just as you’ve figured things out, it all changes. But with each passing day you become a more experienced parent and, most importantly, become an expert on your child. Here’s what to know about 5-week-old baby development, milestones and more.
Growth
You probably won’t see noticeable growth from last week, but baby should have gained about 0.5 pounds since then. They’ll slowly stretch out as they get another inch or so taller this coming month too.
Emerging skills
A 5-week-old baby will continue to be more alert with each passing day. While there isn’t typically a physical 5-week-old baby growth spurt, there is often a cognitive one. So if your 5-week-old baby is extra fussy, you can blame it on this so-called “wonder week” as they develop new skills and awareness.
Baby’s vision is improving, though things more than 10 to 12 inches away are still blurry. They should be able to follow large, nearby objects with their eyes and may turn toward the sound of your voice. An infant this age can usually start to pick their head up and have slightly better neck control.
You may start to notice some of baby’s newborn reflexes, like the startle reflex, start to fade, though that one will stick around until 2 to 4 months and other reflexes up to a year.
Feeding
How much should a 5-week-old baby eat? Your little one is probably eating about 3 to 4 ounces per feeding every three to four hours for a total of 32 ounces a day. Keep in mind, though, that every baby is different—the key is that they’re growing well. There still may not be a set 5-week-old feeding schedule, but with every passing week you’re getting closer.
Sleep
As far as a 5-week-old baby sleep schedule, your infant needs about 15.5 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period at this age. So how long should a 5-week-old baby sleep at night? About eight or nine hours in total, but it’s unlikely they’ll sleep longer than five hours at a time. Chances are they’re still up every three or so hours to feed, and that’s okay.
If your 5-week-old baby is fussy and not sleeping, they may be gassy, have uncomfortable reflux or going through a mental growth spurt. Make sure you’re feeding them in an upright position and burping them after each feeding.
Common Ailments
Hernia It may sound strange for a baby to have a hernia, but they’re actually fairly common in children, especially in the first few months after birth. It happens when a bit of the intestine pushes through a weak spot, creating a soft bump under the skin. When it’s in the groin area it’s known as an inguinal hernia, while an umbilical hernia occurs around the belly button. If you notice a bump in either area, consult your pediatrician. Umbilical hernias usually resolve on their own within a few years but inguinal hernias require a simple surgery.
Does my 5-week-old baby know who I am?
Yes! Infants at this age can recognize their parents by the sound of their voice, and breastfeeding babies know their mother by her smell. A 5-week-old baby is still working on their vision, but they’re getting to know your face and will be able to differentiate between your face and that of a stranger by 3 months.
How do I know if baby has a milk protein allergy?
Is your 5-week-old baby fussy? Then chances are, you’ve spent too much time on the internet wondering if they have a milk protein allergy, also known as allergic colitis. Affecting 2 to 3 percent of babies, this sensitivity to cow’s milk proteins can show up any time in the first 6 months but usually emerges within two months after birth. Symptoms can include extreme fussiness, reflux, blood in the stool, diarrhea, green mucousy stools or eczema. If you’re concerned, consult your pediatrician. If you’re breastfeeding, you can eliminate dairy and soy products from your diet to see if that helps symptoms. If you’re formula-feeding, you can try switching to a hypoallergenic option. It can take a few weeks to see results.
Dealing with the baby witching hour
If your 5-week-old baby is fussy in the evenings, you’re not alone; as most new parents learn all too soon, the so-called baby witching hour is very real. Even babies who aren’t prone to colic can get extra fussy in the evening hours between the last nap of the day and bedtime. There’s no single reason it can happen, but it’s generally thought that it’s baby’s way of expressing that they are done. Even the most boring, calm day for you is still a ton of sensory input for an infant, and they may be overstimulated or overtired—and can only express this by fussing or wailing.
If you’re finding that your 5-week-old baby gets fussy around the same time each evening, it may take some trial and error, but chances are you’ll be able to figure out a way to assist them. Try keeping things quiet and calm after their last nap of the day, and if they start fussing, bring them into a low-lit, quiet room and rock, snuggle and shush them to create a calming, womb-like environment. Make sure baby is getting a few naps during the day; less sleep can result in a cranky baby who will actually be harder, not easier, to put down for the night. And know that, like so many phases in baby’s development, this too shall pass.
Baby vitamins
In addition to wondering whether you’re feeding baby enough or too much, you may also be curious about what, if any, vitamin supplements you should be giving your little one. If formula is your child’s primary food source, they’re most likely getting everything they need from the vitamin-fortified mixture. Breastfed babies, however, do not get enough vitamin D and benefit from a daily supplement. Chances are you’ve already been doing this, but if not, find drops that offer 400IU daily of the vitamin. Iron may be recommended starting at around 4 months, but consult with your pediatrician. As for baby probiotics, there’s been some talk of them potentially helping with issues such as diarrhea and colic—but research has yielded mixed results, and based on the available science, the AAP doesn’t see them as beneficial. Check in with baby’s doctor if you’re considering a supplement.
- Don’t let menstruation catch you by surprise. Wondering when your period will return? The answer depends in large part on whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, combo-feeding or formula-feeding, since this impacts the way the hormones in your body regulate. According to one study, about a quarter of exclusive breastfeeding moms and half of partially breastfeeding moms get their period back some time between six and 12 weeks postpartum. Meanwhile, half of non-lactating parents find that their period returns by six weeks postpartum. And some nursing moms find that they don’t see their period again until they’ve weaned completely, so each body responds in its own way. How each person experiences those first periods following childbirth can vary a lot as well; for some it’s lighter than they’re used to, and for some it’s heavier. If you experience excessive bleeding or cramping, it’s always a good idea to check in with your ob-gyn or other medical provider.
- Brush up on alcohol guidelines. After nine+ months of sobriety, you can finally have a drink, if you want. But a lot of breastfeeding parents are worried about alcohol ending up in their milk, so put your mind at ease and read up on the guidance. The CDC and AAP recommend waiting to nurse at least two hours after having a drink, so the best time to pour a glass is right after a nursing or pumping session to maximize the time between drinking and the next nursing session.
- Washcloths. Though infants don’t have to bathe every night, many parents like to incorporate a relaxing bath as part of their nightly bedtime routine. Washcloths are not only useful for getting baby’s little body clean, but they’re also great for keeping their bodies warm while you wash other parts—meaning you’ll need multiple on hand. Stock up on these favorites.
- Newborn toys. Delight baby’s senses with newborn toys that feature different textures, high-contrast patterns and easy-to-grasp designs, helping to build new neurological connections.
At this age, baby is probably starting to make sounds that go beyond cries. Coos and gurgles are not only adorable, they’re also precursors to speaking. If you want to have some fun and aid your 5-week-old baby’s language acquisition, bring on the baby talk. It may seem cheesy, but it turns out there’s a good reason why people tend to use higher voices and more expressive faces when speaking to babies—it actually helps baby’s learn about language while also improving social interaction. So when your baby coos, go ahead and coo right back. Remember, nothing is more entertaining than your face, so watching your mouth move and expression change while listening to your voice is about as entertaining for your infant as it gets.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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