Table of Contents
Physical Development
Your baby is now two weeks old and you might be wondering what changes you can expect to see in them. At this stage, your baby’s physical development will start to become more noticeable. They will be gaining weight rapidly and their head circumference will increase by around 2cm each week. Your baby’s skin will still be wrinkled, but they will be less red and less puffy than when they were born.
You may also start to notice that your baby’s eyes are becoming more alert and they are beginning to focus on objects. Your baby’s hearing is also becoming more acute and they may startle at loud noises. They will still be sleeping for most of the day, but their sleep patterns will start to develop more of a routine.
Emotional Development
Your baby’s emotional development will also be progressing at this stage. They will be more responsive to your touch and will start to look for comfort when they are upset. You may notice that they are starting to make more sounds, such as cooing and gurgling, which are early forms of communication.
It’s important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace, so don’t worry if your baby takes a little longer to reach certain milestones. As long as they are healthy and happy, there’s nothing to be concerned about.
Feeding and Sleeping Patterns
At two weeks old, your baby will still be sleeping for most of the day and night, but they will start to develop more of a routine. They will need to feed every two to three hours, and you may notice that they are starting to become more efficient at feeding. They should also be producing around six wet diapers and three to four dirty diapers each day.
It’s important to make sure that your baby is getting enough milk, so keep an eye on their weight gain and speak to your doctor if you have any concerns. If you are breastfeeding, make sure that your baby is latching on correctly and feed on demand.
Tummy Time
Tummy time is an important part of your baby’s development as it helps to strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles. You can start by placing your baby on their tummy for a few minutes each day, gradually increasing the time as they get stronger.
Make sure that you supervise your baby during tummy time and place them on a firm, flat surface. You can also use a rolled up towel or cushion to support your baby’s chest and arms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often should I feed my baby?
A. Your baby will need to feed every two to three hours at this stage. If you are breastfeeding, feed on demand and look for cues that your baby is hungry.
Q. How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?
A. Keep an eye on your baby’s weight gain and make sure that they are producing around six wet diapers and three to four dirty diapers each day. If you have any concerns, speak to your doctor.
Q. When can I start giving my baby a bath?
A. You can start giving your baby a sponge bath from birth, but wait until their umbilical cord stump has fallen off before giving them a proper bath.
Q. How much sleep should my baby be getting?
A. At two weeks old, your baby will still be sleeping for most of the day and night. They should be getting around 16-17 hours of sleep each day.
Q. How can I help my baby with tummy time?
A. Start with just a few minutes of tummy time each day, gradually increasing the time as your baby gets stronger. Make sure that you supervise your baby during tummy time and place them on a firm, flat surface. You can also use a rolled up towel or cushion to support your baby’s chest and arms.