Your 4-Week-Old Baby
One month in! Baby’s next appointment, feeding may be changing and it might be time to step outside—for both of you.
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You’ve officially made it to one month! Sure, we said congratulations just a few weeks ago, but congratulations are in order again—because right now, every milestone deserves celebration, and we think One Month is a pretty big deal.
At four weeks old, your baby’s rhythms are a little more established, and you’re finally used to the cadence of feedings, naps and diaper changes. Maybe you’ve even figured out how to carve out more time for yourself, or for just enjoying unstructured quality time with your baby. If not, we’ve got some advice from Dr. Chris Klunk, board-certified neonatologist at Pediatrix Medical Group, and Houston-based ob-gyn Dr. Faith Ohuoba on how (and why) to get out of the house for a bit with baby in tow.
Reaching one month old also means it’s time for baby’s next visit to the pediatrician, which includes a mental health screening for you, too. Cluster feedings might also be happening around this time, so we’ve got tips for finding a lactation consultant to help you through it.
🚼 Baby’s Development
📅 1-Month Well Baby Appointment
Your baby should’ve already had their first check-up with their pediatrician within their first week, and now it’s time for the one-month appointment. Just like last time (and all the appointments to come over the next year), the pediatrician will check baby’s weight, length, head circumference and reflexes, and they’ll want to know baby’s feeding and sleep schedules, how many diaper changes baby usually needs per day (and what their poops look like) and any concerns you might have.
Even if everything’s going well, this is a great time to ask any questions you might have—nothing is too small or silly.
Routine vaccinations typically start at the two-month appointment, but your pediatrician might take some time during this appointment to talk through the recommended schedule and help you prepare.
💡 Try This with Baby: Take Baby Outside
If you haven’t been out of the house much in the past four weeks, we get it. These early weeks can be so overwhelming (an understatement) and may have passed by in a blur—but now that you and baby have had some time to settle into a rhythm, it can be really beneficial to both of you to get outside for a bit.
"The great outdoors offers a wealth of stimulating sights, sounds and smells that help little brains develop," Dr. Klunk says. Getting some sunshine and fresh air can also help establish and regulate baby’s internal clock (remember how we talked about day/night confusion back in week two?). Not to mention it can help with your own health, too, which we’ll talk about in a moment.
Just remember to dress baby appropriately for the weather—layers in colder weather, and light clothing with a sun shade in warmer weather (and no sunscreen for babies under six months old)—and to be mindful of how long they're staying outside. "How long [babies] can be outside comes down to the environment around them more than anything," Dr. Klunk says. "As babies are really sensitive to temperature, wind, sun, etc., and close attention needs to be paid to their comfort."
But we understand that getting outdoors with a newborn can sometimes be intimidating. There's a lot to think about when you have a baby in tow. But Dr. Klunk breaks it down into just a few things to consider: "Making the first outdoor trip go smoothly mostly comes down to having the right equipment for changing diapers (and probably outfits!), feeding, protecting them from cold, rain and excess sunshine and [bringing] a pacifier if using one."
💗 You, 4 Weeks After Baby
🧑⚕️ Your Physical Health
Recovery from childbirth is still ongoing, though you may be feeling significantly better now than you did a couple weeks ago. Bleeding may be tapering off—or for some, it may have stopped altogether by this point. But you may still be feeling some soreness, especially if you had a C-section. It can take up to three months for a C-section incision to fully heal, so continue to take things easy and follow your doctor’s advice.
If you didn’t give birth, sleep deprivation and exhaustion are probably still pretty prevalent, but not as dire as in the first two weeks. Make sure you’re eating well, staying hydrated and getting a little bit of movement every day. Speaking of which…
Getting outside for yourself: We just talked about how getting outside can be great for baby’s development, but some fresh air and vitamin D is also important for new parents, too. It’s fairly common for new parents to get a bit of cabin fever in the early weeks. Try stepping outside for just 10 minutes.
You don’t have to do anything major if you’re not ready for it. Even just a walk around the block once a day can be enough. It’s understandable if you’re hesitant—your baby’s immune system isn’t fully developed, and you’re exhausted, but Dr. Faith urges you to get just a little outdoor movement.
“Anything that remains stagnant is prone to illness,” she says. “Movement is good not only for your physical health but also for your mental health.” She assures that your baby will get the benefit of having a healthy parent.
🧠 Your Mental Health
The one-month mark is when baby gets a check-up, but don’t be surprised if the pediatrician asks about you, too. Since your postpartum appointment is likely scheduled for around week six, unless you’ve had something concerning with your recovery, you likely haven’t seen your ob-gyn since you gave birth—so your baby’s doctor may take this opportunity to screen you for postpartum mental health concerns.
In week one, we talked about how the “baby blues” can affect up to 85% of new parents during the first two weeks after baby’s arrival. But if, even after a full month, you’re persistently feeling sad, anxious, angry, emotionally numb or not bonded to your baby, this is the time to reach out for support, since it may be postpartum depression.
Symptoms of postpartum depression can start within the first few weeks after having a baby, but they can also start up to a year after giving birth, Dr. Faith says. The CDC reports that as many as 20% of new moms experience postpartum depression—“it’s the most common complication of childbirth,” says Dr. Shoshana Bennett (AKA Dr. Shosh).
That statistic of new moms affected is really high, and your risk of postpartum depression may be even higher if you have certain risk factors. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, those risk factors include:
Hormone changes
Prior history of depression
Pre-existing negative feelings about pregnancy or your baby, including if the pregnancy was unplanned or if you or baby experienced complications
Fatigue, especially from chronic sleep disruptions or deprivation, like we talked about last week
Stress
Whether you talk to your ob-gyn, your baby’s pediatrician, an official maternal mental health hotline or even just a trusted loved one, the important thing is to get support so that you can feel better sooner. “People can support women experiencing this by being a safe place to allow for open and non judgmental communication,” Dr. Faith says. “Encourage them to seek out medical help immediately.”
And remember: Postpartum depression isn’t a reflection of you. “It doesn’t mean you’re not ready to be a parent,” says Dr. Shosh. “It happens to the best of us. [Postpartum depression] does not discriminate.”
If you’re experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, don’t wait to get support. You can reach the National Maternal Mental Health hotline by calling or texting 1-833-TLC-MAMA—they’re available 24/7.
Make friends with other parents: Along with talking to a mental health professional (because you should definitely still do that), one thing that can help a lot is talking to other new parents. Parenthood can feel isolating, especially if you’re the only one in your regular social circle with a baby.
This is where things like local Facebook parenting groups, meetups or even virtual communities can really help. “The internet has made us closer, and online communities and social media platforms are avenues to look into,” Dr. Faith says. No matter how you find other new parents, just chatting with someone else who gets it can be a game-changer when you’re having a difficult time.
🧑🍼 Feeding Baby
🍼 Week 4 Feeding Guidelines
Breastfed babies: Still feeding on demand, whenever they show hunger cues. Your baby may still be eating every 1–3 hours, or they might be starting to space out their meals and eating larger quantities less often.
Formula-fed babies: Right around now, your baby may start getting closer to 3–4 fluid ounces per bottle every 3–4 hours. At 6–8 bottles per day (nighttime bottles are still a thing right now), you want to aim for about 32 fluid ounces of formula per day.
😩 Cluster Feeding
At one month old, some babies may be reducing the frequency of their feedings, but others may be doing the exact opposite. Feeding frequently in small amounts is known as cluster feeding, and it can hit hard right around now.
Specifically, “cluster feeding is when your baby wants to nurse very frequently for several hours, usually every 30-60 minutes instead of every two to three hours like you're used to,” says Krystal Duhaney, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), registered nurse and founder of Milky Mama.
Cluster feeding can happen for both breastfed babies and formula-fed babies. “It’s completely normal and usually occurs during growth spurts,” Duhaney says. “They need extra calories to fuel the rapid development in their tiny bodies.”
And if you’re breastfeeding, Duhaney says that “all that frequent nursing also signals your body to increase milk production for the following day.” But whether you’re breastfeeding or providing bottles, cluster feeding can be really exhausting for new parents, but thankfully it’s temporary—it usually lasts about two to three days, then things go back to normal, Duhaney says.
To help you manage this phase, Duhaney suggests setting up your nursing or bottle station before baby’s evening feeding session, which is often when babies cluster feed the most. Make sure your station has all the essentials: “water, snacks, phone charger and something good to binge-watch,” she says.
And don’t even think about getting other stuff done. “During cluster feeding sessions, let the dishes sit in the sink and forget about folding laundry,” Duhaney says. “Focus on feeding your baby and taking care of yourself.”
She also recommends bringing in your support system. “Your partner can offer support during cluster feeding by bringing you food, handling diaper changes between sessions and reminding you that this phase won't last forever.”
🍼 Introducing a Bottle to a Breastfed Baby
If you’re breastfeeding and thinking about introducing a bottle, Duhaney recommends waiting until right around now at week four, since you’ve likely established a pretty solid breastfeeding routine by now.
One month in, you might be ready for a bit more flexibility around feeding—especially after we shared that caregiver sleep trade-off schedule last week. “Exclusively breastfeeding doesn't work for every family, and that's perfectly okay,” Duhaney says.
Start by offering one bottle a day, with about one to two ounces, at a time of day when baby is calm and not overly hungry or fussy. “And have someone else offer [the bottle], since babies can sense when mom is nearby,” Duhaney says.
The main thing to keep in mind is that some babies take to the bottle right away, while others need a little practice. Just be patient and keep at it—it’ll be worth it to be able to share feeding responsibilities.
The other thing about introducing a bottle: you might’ve heard about “nipple confusion,” or what some experts call “nipple preference,” which is when some babies start to prefer a bottle over breastfeeding.
“When babies breastfeed, the flow of milk naturally varies—it can start, stop and change speed throughout a feeding,” says Briana Engelbrecht, a Babylist editor and certified lactation counselor. “But when feeding from a bottle, milk tends to flow at a steady, continuous rate depending on the nipple’s flow design. Because milk comes more easily from a bottle, babies don’t have to work as hard to feed. This difference can sometimes lead them to prefer the bottle over the breast, making it difficult to switch between the two.”
The solution: Duhaney says to offer a bottle with a slow-flow nipple “to better match the rhythm of breastfeeding.”
So if you’re planning to do both—known as combination feeding—it can absolutely work, it may just take a bit of practice. It can help to use a bottle designed specifically for breastfed babies, or try out a variety of different bottle styles.
🔍 How to Find a Lactation Consultant
If you haven’t found one already, a lactation consultant can be a great source of support and reassurance throughout your breastfeeding journey, including trying to introduce a bottle into your baby’s feeding routine. Lactation consultants and counselors are trained to help with literally all your breastfeeding and pumping needs, including latching, positioning, navigating low or oversupply, nipple pain and getting the most out of your breast pump (which we’ll be talking about in just a few weeks).
The best time to get a lactation consultant, according to Duhaney, is whenever you need any kind of feeding support. “After giving birth, if you're experiencing pain while nursing or pumping, noticing nipple damage (cracking, bleeding, peeling, etc.), are worried about your baby's weight gain or diaper output or are having trouble with latching or pumping, reach out to a lactation consultant right away,” she says. “Don’t wait until you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed to ask for help.”
They’re not just there for issues or worries, though—lactation consultants can also help you prep for future changes to baby’s feeding routine. “Lactation consultants can also be very helpful when you're getting ready to return to work, thinking about starting solids or planning to wean,” Duhaney says.
She recommends you start your search for a certified lactation consultant by checking with your hospital or birthing center, asking your pediatrician or ob-gyn for a referral or searching through directories like Boober, the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) and the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA).
“Local mom groups on social media are another great resource,” Duhaney says. “They’re often full of honest, real-world recommendations from parents.”
As you research, you’ll see a couple different acronyms: a CLC (certified lactation counselor) can help you with basic breastfeeding and pumping support, while an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) will have a clinical background and can provide more extensive care.
Some consultants offer virtual visits—which can be especially helpful in the early weeks when leaving the house is still a major production—or you can meet with them in person or over the phone. And many insurance plans cover lactation support, so it’s worth checking your benefits, too.
😴 Sleep
🛏️ Total Sleep: 14–18 Hours
Day and night confusion may still be real (four straight weeks of nighttime wake-ups can be brutal), but exposure to natural light during the day can actually help baby sleep longer at night. So take baby for that walk like we talked about earlier. Getting outside consistently (like, every day) can gradually help baby sleep in longer stretches at night.
❓ Weekly How-To: Find Childcare
Yeah we know, it’s only week four—but even if you’re not returning to work for a couple more months, it’s never too early to start thinking about childcare. No matter what childcare option you choose, they often have long waitlists, so researching options now can give you more flexibility later. Check out our primer on how to choose a daycare, which can be particularly research-heavy, as well as choosing an in-home daycare, a nanny or a nanny share.
As you research, it’s a good time to think about what kind of childcare your family needs, including schedule, budget and learning style.
And when it comes to getting recommendations, word of mouth and neighborhood parent groups—including online ones—can be goldmines for leads. Be sure to have a list of questions ready for any tours you take, or if you’re hiring a nanny, be prepared to conduct interviews for at least a few candidates.
👀 Looking Ahead
Common newborn conditions: Skin and health conditions like cradle cap and thrush are really common in the first couple of months, and they’re usually easily treatable.
Baby first aid: No need for a full first aid kit—just a few safety basics and how-tos that can help you feel more prepared.
Postpartum anxiety: We’ll talk about how it differs from postpartum depression, what signs to look for and how to get support.
🛍️ Panic Order
Ergobaby
Omni Deluxe Mesh
Skip Hop
Forma Diaper Backpack
Little Unicorn
Outdoor Blanket
Manhattan Toy
Wimmer-Ferguson Infant Stim-Mobile To Go & Travel Toy Bundle
Dr. Brown's
Formula Dispenser
Skip Hop
Pronto Signature Changing Station
Earth Mama
Organic Nipple Butter
momjug
Breastfeeding Water Bottle
Babylist
Bottle Box (5 Bottles)
Sprucely
Milk Storage Bags
Dr. Brown's
Options+ Wide-Neck Breast to Bottle Slow Flow Set
Expert Sources
Babylist content uses high-quality subject matter experts to provide accurate and reliable information to our users. Sources for this story include:
Dr. Chris Klunk, board-certified neonatologist at Pediatrix Medical Group
Dr. Faith Ohuoba, Houston-based ob-gyn
Dr. Shoshana Bennett (AKA Dr. Shosh), maternal mental health expert
Krystal Duhaney, IBCLC, registered nurse and founder of Milky Mama
Briana Engelbrecht, Babylist editor and certified lactation counselor
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