Week 4 Newborn
NewbornWhat to expect from day 22 to day 28.
Welcome to Week 4. Your baby is now almost one month old. The first month of parenthood is a huge achievement — you have learned countless new skills, survived sleepless nights, and spent nearly four weeks getting to know your baby. Many parents also find they feel more confident this week than they did during those first days after birth.
Sleep
14–17 hours/day
Feeding
Frequent feeds; growth spurts may continue
Major milestone
More alert and aware — longer eye contact, stronger movements, approaching first social smile
Physical development
- check_circleGrowing noticeably — fuller cheeks, longer limbs, heavier to hold
- check_circleStronger neck muscles — brief head lifting during tummy time
- check_circleTurning head from side to side with better control
Brain development
- check_circleFocusing on faces for longer periods
- check_circleWatching moving objects briefly
- check_circleBecoming interested in contrasting colours and patterns
Social development
- check_circleLonger eye contact that feels increasingly intentional
- check_circleBright facial expressions in response to faces and voices
- check_circleEarly signs of social smiling may be approaching — every baby develops at their own pace
Communication
- check_circleShowing clear preferences for soothing methods and voices
- check_circleDifferent cries for different needs becoming more recognizable
- check_circleReacting to familiar voices with calmer body language
What parents may notice
- check_circleMore personality — favourite ways of being soothed, preferred sleeping positions, reactions to different voices
- check_circleMore meaningful eye contact — these moments often feel incredibly rewarding after the challenges of the newborn weeks
- check_circleFussier evenings — many babies become harder to settle in the evening, which is very common during the first months
- check_circleGreater confidence in daily parenting tasks — feeding, diaper changes, bathing, and reading baby cues
Monthly checklist
- Continue tummy time daily
- Feed on demand
- Attend scheduled appointments
- Spend time talking and singing to your baby
- Take photos and videos
- Celebrate one month of parenthood
Frequently asked questions
Is my baby supposed to smile yet?
Some babies begin showing social smiles around this time, while others take a few more weeks. Both are completely normal.
Why does my baby seem fussier in the evening?
Evening fussiness is very common during the newborn stage and usually improves gradually over the coming weeks.
Is it normal that sleep is still unpredictable?
Yes. Most one-month-old babies do not yet have a consistent sleep schedule and that is completely expected.
How much tummy time should we be doing?
Several short sessions throughout the day are ideal. Aim to build up gradually as your baby's neck strength improves.
Looking ahead
Next month brings many exciting changes. Your baby may become more social, spend longer periods awake, smile more intentionally, and interact more with the people around them. The tiny newborn who spent most of their time sleeping is slowly becoming a curious little person.