During the first month of life, your baby will focus on learning how to make sense of a new environment using her eyes, ears, sense of smell and touch. Through the love, comfort and attention that you'll provide, your baby will bond even more closely with you.

You may notice a lot of crying, so be reassured that it's an integral part of the way your baby communicates with you. After all, she sees that you respond and attend to her cries with an appropriate reaction be it to change her diaper or feed her. She's learning to communicate and to tell you what she needs! With your help, your baby will keep learning new things and growing every day. At each checkup, your doctor will measure her height, weight and head circumference, then plot the development in percentile on a growth chart that has been developed by health professionals.

What you can do:

During this month, you can help your baby develop awareness of the surrounding environment by stimulating her senses. To stimulate hearing, play soothing music, hang wind chimes outside the window or provide soft toys that make interesting sounds. When you speak to your baby, use a lifting, higher-pitched voice - this is the sound she will best respond to. Stimulate visual development by hanging bright mobiles or soft sculptures in black-and-white patterns near the crib (these are the two colours babies this age seem to like best). To stimulate a sensation of touch, provide soft toys and blankets for your baby to caress.

This month, some babies may:

• Lift their head slightly as neck muscles strengthen.
• Focus on your face as they begin to learn how to focus both eyes together.
• Visually follow an object that moves about 15-16 cm above their face (high contrast colours such as black and white are what can be seen best at this time.)
• Blink at a bright light.
• Recognize familiar sounds and voices and respond by turning their head toward them.
• Grip your finger when you stroke their palm as part of developing grasping reflex.
• Turn toward your finger when you rub a corner of their mouth. This rooting instinct is what helps to latch onto your nipple for feeding.
• Recognize you by your scent. Babies can smell your milk if you are breastfeeding

The skills described above generally appear during the indicated time frame. But don't worry - all babies are unique and develop at different rates. Talk to your doctor if you become really concerned about your baby's health and development - at any time.