How Long are Babies Considered Newborns? A Parent’s Guide

Bringing your baby home is a moment you’ll never forget. Everything feels new, from those tiny fingers and toes to the soft little sounds they make… and yes, even their endless crying.

You’re probably wondering: how long is my baby really a newborn? Knowing the timeline can make those first weeks feel a little more predictable and help you notice all the tiny ways your baby is growing each day.

How Long are Babies Considered Newborns?

When it comes to defining a “newborn,” there are a couple of ways to look at it.

Medically, a newborn, also called a neonate, is a baby from birth up to 28 days old, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (1).

During this time, babies go through rapid changes as they adjust to life outside the womb. They learn to feed, regulate their body temperature, and begin developing the reflexes that will guide their growth in the weeks ahead.

In everyday conversation, the term “newborn” is used more loosely. Many parents might call their baby a newborn for the first two to three months, especially while the baby is very small and daily life still revolves around their care. It represents the way parents naturally see the newborn stage — as a time of transition. 

Understanding the Stages

As your baby grows, you’ll notice just how quickly each stage brings something new. I’ve noticed it too! Below are the typical age ranges and what you can expect at each stage:

Newborn Age Range and Stages (0–4 weeks)

During the first month, your baby spends most of their time sleeping, feeding, and growing. You’ll notice reflexive movements, like their hands curling into tiny fists or their legs kicking automatically, along with small stretches as they wake.

They’ll also begin responding to sights, sounds, and touch. For example, they might turn their head toward your voice, blink at bright lights, or grasp your finger when you place it in their hand.

Infant Age Range and Stages (1-12 months)

In the infant stage, your baby becomes more alert and interactive. Smiles, coos, and eye contact start to appear. Those first smiles are especially exciting because they show your baby is responding to you. It’s a moment when you can really interact and get to know your little one a bit better.

Soon after, babies begin rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and possibly taking their first steps. Introducing solid foods is another big milestone during this stage.

Toddler Age Range and Stages

Toddlers go through rapid growth while exploring the world around them. Your child will walk confidently, form words into sentences, and begin expressing preferences, opinions, and emotions more clearly.

They'll also start to test boundaries and make choices about what they like or dislike. A common scenario is a toddler insisting on picking out their own clothes in the morning, even if the outfit doesn’t match.

Gross motor skills, like running, jumping, climbing, and throwing, improve rapidly as they gain strength, balance, and coordination. At the same time, fine motor skills — such as stacking blocks, turning pages, and using utensils — become more precise.

Signs Your Baby is Growing Out of the Newborn Stage

As your baby approaches the end of the newborn phase, you may start noticing changes that show they’re becoming more aware of the world. Pay attention to these cues:

Social and environmental interaction cues

Babies are born ready to connect with the world around them. From the very beginning, they have built-in abilities that help them respond to voices, faces, and movement. Over time, their social and communication skills grow as they interact with others, especially their caregivers (2).

Some of the first signs that your baby is becoming socially aware show up in eye contact. You may notice your baby following your face or gaze with their eyes.

For example, when our baby was around two months old, my husband did a little shadow boxing, and we noticed our baby tracking his movements. It was both fun and heartwarming to watch!

Babies also begin making coos and other sounds to get your attention or respond to you. You might notice your baby turning toward stimuli, such as voices, movement, or gentle touch. This response shows that they are interested in their surroundings.

Around six to eight weeks, many babies develop a social smile, which is different from a reflexive smile that may occur during sleep. Their social smile is a true response to seeing a familiar face or hearing a comforting voice.

Finally, babies start calming more easily when comforted. When you hold them or speak softly, they learn to soothe themselves.

Consistent feeding and sleeping routines

Newborns eat and sleep on a completely irregular schedule, but as they move into the infant stage, they start settling into routines. You might find that they have slightly longer stretches of sleep at night or more regular intervals between feedings.

Our baby, for instance, used to wake every two hours at night to feed as a newborn, but once he exited the newborn stage, he was able to sleep for five hours straight — and we were the ones gently waking him to drink milk!

This is something parents can really look forward to, as those longer stretches bring a much-needed sense of relief and allow everyone to rest a little better.

Improved head control and muscle strength

By the end of the newborn phase, babies can hold their heads up more steadily during tummy time or while being held upright. Their neck and upper body muscles are gradually strengthening, and this lays the groundwork for rolling over and sitting up.

You may also notice your baby starting to turn their head from one side to the other while on their tummy. These small movements show that their neck muscles are getting stronger.

Longer awake periods

Newborns typically sleep most of the day and wake only to feed. As they enter their second month, they can stay awake for longer stretches between naps, so you can expect them to be more alert during the daytime.

Whenever they’re awake, you can engage with your baby through gentle play, talking, singing, or showing them colorful toys.

Soft books (fabric or padded books with different textures, colors, and sometimes crinkly sounds) are also great for sensory exploration. They help stimulate your baby’s touch, sight, and hearing.

Skin becomes less red and blotchy

Many newborns have sensitive skin that appears red, blotchy, or slightly peeling after birth. As a new parent, I remember worrying about this and learning about mottling, a term used to describe a patchy skin pattern that’s often more noticeable when a baby is cold.

As babies mature, their skin tone usually evens out, becoming smoother and less irritated. This is another subtle sign of growth and adjustment.

Consistently gains weight

Finally, steady weight gain is one of the clearest indicators that your baby is thriving. You can reference growth charts, which show typical weight ranges for each age, so you’ll know if your baby is on track. Your doctor will also check your baby’s weight and height during routine checkups.

It’s really adorable to watch. Soon you’ll be amazed at how quickly your little one grows. They become rounder and plumper right before your eyes!

Tips to Navigate the Newborn Stage

The newborn phase can feel overwhelming, but before you know it, it will be over. What’s most important is making the most of this time while you’re still here. Create those experiences that will benefit both you and your little one.

For your baby’s needs

Your baby relies on you as their primary caregiver, and meeting their needs consistently helps them feel safe. Responding to their cues lays the foundation for healthy emotional and physical development. 

Here are ways you can support your baby every day: 

• Feed your baby on demand: Watch for hunger cues like rooting, sucking on hands, or fussiness, rather than sticking strictly to a schedule. Remember, crying is usually a late sign of hunger (3).
• Soothe your baby's cries: Crying is your baby’s main way of communicating. Gentle rocking, swaddling, singing, or skin-to-skin contact are some effective ways to calm your baby.
• Bond with your baby: Regularly touch and cuddle your little one. Talk to them in a soothing voice, sing, and make eye contact. Take time to simply enjoy being with your baby. These small moments help build a strong, loving connection.
• Safety first: Always put your baby to sleep on their back. Never shake them, even gently. Avoid carrying hot liquids or foods near your baby, and never hold your baby while handling them. Keep up with vaccines, which protect your little one from serious illnesses. 

For parents’ well-being

The newborn stage comes with long, tiring, sleepless nights, but it’s important to remember that you deserve self-care. You shouldn’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself. When you take care of your own needs, you’re better able to care for your baby.

• Accept help: Let family or friends assist with chores, meals, or even holding the baby for a short break, as long as they are healthy and have washed their hands before touching your baby. Most people genuinely want to help but don’t always know how you’d like them to, so they often wait for guidance. Don’t hesitate to let them know what would be most useful.
• Sleep when your baby sleeps: Nap whenever you can, even if it’s just short bursts throughout the day. Prioritize rest over chores when possible. Your energy and patience will thank you.
• Other tips for self-care: Stay hydrated, eat nourishing meals, and take a few minutes for gentle movement or deep breathing. When I feel overwhelmed during those first few months, I sometimes go for a quick 15–20 minute walk or run outside to get some fresh air. It helps clear my mind. Find what works for you. 

The Takeaway

The newborn stage may feel endless at times, with sleepless nights and constant demands, but believe me, it passes quickly. Before you know it, this special time will be behind you.

The last thing any new parent wants is to look back and regret not cherishing these fleeting moments.

I hope this guide has given you clarity on what to expect and helped you feel a bit more prepared for the journey ahead. Take a deep breath, savor the little moments, and remember: these early days are as precious as they are short-lived.

Sources:

1. World Health Organization: WHO. (2018, August 27). Newborn health WPRO. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/newborn-health#tab=tab_1
2. Ilyka, D., Johnson, M. H., & Lloyd-Fox, S. (2021). Infant social interactions and brain development: A systematic review. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 130, 448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.001
3. Signs your child is hungry or full. (2024, October 21). Infant and Toddler Nutrition. https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/mealtime/signs-your-child-is-hungry-or-full.html