You might be feeling a little overwhelmed with so many exciting new experiences, not to mention the lack of sleep, but there's lots to look forward to in week 2 with your newborn! We've made sure everything you need to know about the most important milestones and your little one's week-by-week development is included in this guide, with expert-backed information and tips.
Some of the changes you might have noticed already include small bruises or scratches on the little one after birth, don't worry, these are completely normal and most of these marks will be clearing up in week 2 – but it's a good idea to keep note of any birthmarks in case they need inspecting. You'll notice some changes in their poo this week too, so if it's yellow and seedy that is also completely normal. The umbilical cord should have fallen off by now if it wasn't already removed, which means baby is ready for their first bath!
Keep reading for more milestones to look out for...
Development milestones for 2 week old baby
At 2 weeks old, you'll be noticing some physical changes in your baby, and they'll have learnt exactly how to communicate their needs to you! They're developing fast, can you keep up?
Awake for longer
Although they will be sleeping for up to 18 hours, by 2 weeks old your baby is now able to stay awake for longer, and you'll notice that they are a lot more alert and reactive, particularly when it comes to communicating they need something through crying!
Crying
Your baby should now be telling you when they are hungry or uncomfortable, and crying is their very effective form of communication. Don't worry if you haven't got the hang yet of what each sound means; before long, you'll know when they're telling you they need a nappy change (the smell is unmistakable), a feed, or just a cuddle.
Bruising and marks
You may have seen a small number of bruises, scratches and even birthmarks since delivery. This can be disconcerting, but it's perfectly normal – being born is a massive adventure, and the journey from your belly into the world has probably left its mark on them. If you see any more permanent marks, like moles or birthmarks, make sure you note where they are and make an appointment with a paediatrician, as they might need to be looked at and treated. Any non-permanent bruising or scratches should clear up this week.
Bath time
If you decided to keep the umbilical cord on, week 2 should be around the time that it falls off, which means bath time is here. Bath time can be scary for both baby and parents, but don't worry if your little one doesn't take to the water like a merbaby. It's common for newborns not to be immediate fans of the bathtub just yet; this could take some time. Bear in mind that your baby doesn't need to have a bath every single day, so there's no need to overdo it – top and tails are just as good in between baths.
Nappy changes
By week two, you might be relieved to discover that the meconium stage should soon be over with. Instead of a black tar texture, it should now be more yellow and with a seedy appearance. Actually, we're not really sure which is the better option – you decide! In case you were wondering, the flecks you can see are undigested milk fat, which is usual for breastfed babies, and there's no cause for concern.
Hunger cues
2-week-old newborns require a lot of feeding and care. So you'll be starting to get familiar with their hunger cues around this stage. Try not to wait until they're crying and at the end of their tether before you feed them, as this can make them too frustrated or tired to feed well. Instead, watch out for visual cues, like if they're drawing any attention to their mouth (hands/fingers in mouth/sucking on their lips or tongue), making faces, fidgeting or wriggling around – because they are probably hungry. Another useful tip is that they will likely wake up because they need to be fed!
Weight changes
Your baby may still be losing weight since they’re not used to feeding yet, this will most likely stop by day 10-11 and is nothing to worry about. Once they do put weight on again, they will gain around 25g per day – of course, every baby gains weight differently, and this is just a guide. You don’t need to be weighing them every day; once a month is advised for the first six months.
Nails
They’ll seem to be growing fast, even if they’re still curled into their womb-like position. One thing you don't expect is that their nails already need trimming by week 2, which is best to do while they are asleep. You may notice them exercising their muscles by sucking, grasping and blinking, so it's a good idea to keep those nails trimmed.
Vision
At 2 weeks old, the 25cm rule still applies, and your baby will only be able to focus on you if you’re within that distance. They’re at the beginning of their exciting journey of learning to communicate with you, though, and are likely to be staring at you with intense concentration at this stage, so take the moment to make eye contact, and don't forget to chat, as it’s a great way to bond. Your baby is yet to develop their little personality, and will likely be moving between drowsiness, quiet alertness and active alertness, so make the most of this special time with them.
Sleep patterns and routine for 2 week old baby
How much should a 2-week-old baby be sleeping?
Your baby is still likely to be sleeping around 17 hours a day, and even when they’re awake, they are unlikely to be actively alert at all times. However, at two weeks old, you can start helping them understand the difference between day and night with our baby sleep tips below. (Fun fact: Newborns are born without a body clock.)
Your baby will only need short wake windows of up to an hour throughout the day, so they'll be napping a lot. You'll know when they're ready for a sleep by looking out for their sleep cues – Yawning, rubbing eyes, becoming less engaged during interactive playtime.
Baby sleep tips for week 2
These tips will help you to start to establish a sleep schedule for your little one.
• Play with your baby as much as possible when they're awake during the day.
• Keep the house bright and full of typical daytime noises.
• If they sleep through feedings, wake them up.
• When it gets to nighttime, keep the lights and noise low and don’t play with them when they wake up. Eventually, they’ll realise the difference!
If you’re finding the erratic sleeping schedule difficult, check out how to fix these sleep mistakes new parents make in the first few weeks. Repeating the same routine every evening before bed will provide a sense of security and safety for your newborn. It also helps establish healthy habits and support development.
Sensory & Cognitive Development for 2 week old baby
• Your little one can still only see up to 25cm away – so make sure you get up close and personal for chats and interaction.
• You might notice them staring at you with intense concentration – it's a good time for lots of eye contact.
• They'll respond to sound and recognise your voice – so chat to them often, about all sorts of nonsense, it doesn't really matter what.
• You might notice that your baby will now blink in reaction to bright light, but we don't recommend shining a torch in their face!
Don't worry if your little one hasn't quite reached all of these milestones, don't forget that all babies develop at the own sweet pace and your cherub is unique. If you are concerned about anything that doesn't seem quite right to you, however, we do recommend you speak to your GP or health visitor as soon as possible.
Growth curve and weighing
• Babies are usually weighed at birth and then again around day 5–10.
• Your midwife will plot baby's weight on a centile chart in their red book.
• Midwife clinics are only for the first week, though, so monthly weights are completed by health visitors in child health clinics.
• If you’re unsure about weight gain, you can attend a free baby clinic (check with your local GP or children’s centre) where health visitors (specialist public health nurses) weigh your baby monthly.
Feeding and nutrition for 2 week old baby
If you are breastfeeding your baby at 2 weeks, let them have as much as they want. If you're worried and not sure if your baby is getting enough or if they're having too much, a general guide is to roughly feed 16 to 24 ounces of breast milk within a 24-hour period. The same goes for formula.
Don't worry too much about measuring if you are breastfeeding without pumping at this stage – as long as they are feeding every 2-3 hours, approximately 8-12 times per day, they should be getting enough. For formula-fed babies, each feed will be between 1 and 2oz.
If you are breastfeeding, a good tip to know whether your baby has had enough once they have stopped feeding is to check your breast to see if it has softened. A contented baby post-feed is another good indication that they're nice and full. You can also listen while feeding to check they are actually feeding (you should be able to hear them swallow).
If you’re breastfeeding, it may be more difficult to know how much your baby is eating, but as long as your baby is latching on and feeding until they want to stop, rest assured, all is ok. Check out these tips for the best positions to use when breastfeeding your baby.
2-week-old baby - nappies
While we're on the subject of feeding, at 2 weeks your baby's poop will typically have transitioned from the tarry black meconium to a soft and sometimes seedy texture that is either yellow or greenish in colour. This is especially true for breastfed babies. However, if they're on formula, they may have firmer and darker stools. Don't be alarmed if the frequency of their pooping isn't consistent, as it can vary a lot at this stage. Some babies go several times a day, whereas others may only go a few times a week.
It might sound obvious, but with the increase in food and growth comes the increase in poo! If you're more concerned about what they are pooing than how much, you might want to check out a poo colour chart to put your mind at ease.
However, if you're concerned about frequency, your baby may be constipated and need some help. Look out for a loss of appetite, crying and discomfort before doing a poo, less than three bowel movements a week or a dry hard poo. If you notice these things, contact your GP.
Your baby's health and safety: tips for 2 week old baby
Colic
If you’ve noticed that your baby is crying for more than three hours at a time for no particular reason, they may have colic. Colic is uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby, and there’s no definite medical explanation for it.
• 5-20% of babies experience Colic at some point
• 60% of babies will settle down by three months
• 90% of babies are better by four months.
Jabs
None as of yet! Your baby doesn’t need jabs until they’re eight weeks old, but get prepared with these handy tips on how to keep your baby calm during routine vaccinations.
Fussiness
It’s normal for your 2-week-old baby to be irritable at the end of the day, as they get used to a whole load of new sights and sounds! Heart rate and sucking patterns change when your baby hears a new sound, but if they seem to be getting agitated a lot try and find a quiet place to soothe them with massage or rocking.
Losing the umbilical cord
When your baby was first separated from the umbilical cord, it would have left an umbilical stump at their belly button. In the first two weeks of life, that remaining piece of cord tissue will fall off. You should give your baby sponge baths instead of tub baths during this time to keep the area dry until the cord has completely fallen off.
Practical parenting tips - looking after yourself
Get outside
You’ve probably been bound to your house for over a week now, and you may be going a bit stir-crazy. Take the opportunity to get out of the house and give yourself and your baby some fresh air.
Energy
You're going to be up at all hours with your little one, so it might be worth switching up your diet with some energy-boosting foods. Also, accept help from family and friends if they offer, especially if it's home-cooked meals they're offering to deliver to your doorstep.
Postnatal Depression
Around the two-week mark, your baby blues should dissipate as your hormones settle. Therefore, if you're overwhelmed by feelings of failure or as though everything could go wrong and it’s all your fault, you may be experiencing postnatal depression. Here are some of the key differences between the baby blues and postnatal depression for you to look out for. Remember, there’s no shame in seeking help; one in ten women experience postnatal depression.
In conclusion
At 2 weeks old, your new life with your newborn is still all a bit of a blur, and you'll probably find the days and nights all roll into one. Even though your little one is still a fresh, teeny, tiny baby, they are growing at a rapid rate and will be eating a lot more than they had been in the first few days. If you're breastfeeding and notice that you are not producing enough milk for your hungry bub, it is best to call your midwife or voice your concerns to your health visitor. Babies have no concept of night and day at 2 weeks old, so try to rest when you can and ask for help if you need it. Make sure you make time for yourself, even if it is just for a quick shower; your body is still healing after birth, and you're doing so well!
2-week-old baby FAQs
What should a 2-week-old baby be doing?
Sleeping, feeding, burping, pooing and a lot of growing! Babies this young are led by refluxes, and you won't be seeing any smiles yet, but you will be getting a lot of eye contact from your baby - you are their absolute world after all.
About the authors
Hannah Mellin is Digital Writer at Mother & Baby. She is a mama to a nearly two-year-old little boy and is navigating her way through first-time parenthood, every developmental leap at a time. She is up for trying anything and everything to make mums feel less anxious and overwhelmed. She is passionate about nature, body positivity and children's mental health.
Zara Mohammed is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a proud aunty and has thoroughly enjoyed helping to raise her niece from newborn to awkward teen. Over the past 10 years she has produced content on a variety of lifestyle and health topics during her freelance career, including home and garden, pet care, relationships, and mental health.