2-Week-Old

A whole week has passed, but doesn't it seem more like a lifetime? Time goes by now in a whole new way as your world shrinks to the primary concerns of sleeping and feeding — at all hours. As you're adjusting to feedings and getting by on less sleep, your baby is also adjusting to his new world. He sleeps in short naps, wakes to feed, and spends some time quietly alert before drifting off to sleep again.

He can't see as well as an adult, but your baby does visually distinguish objects in the first weeks of life. Babies focus best on objects between 8 and 15 inches away — not coincidentally, the distance to your face when held in your arms. Research shows that newborns have a preference for the human face. They're also most attracted to high contrast of light and dark (as opposed to, say, soft pastels), which is why so many newborn toys come in black-and-white patterns.

How your baby's growing
Your womb was a warm and cozy environment, and it'll take time for your baby to adjust to the various sights, sounds, and sensations of life outside your body. You may not be able to detect much of a personality just yet, as your baby spends his time moving in and out of several different states of sleepiness, quiet alertness, and active alertness.

The only way your baby knows to communicate is by crying, but you can communicate with him through your voice and your touch. (Your baby can now recognize your voice and pick it out among others.)

Your baby probably loves to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. He may even make an "ah" sound when he hears your voice or sees your face, and he'll be eager to find you in a crowd.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 2-week-old's development.

Your life: The baby blues

It seems to make no sense: At a time when you expected to be so happy, you feel down, weepy, moody, or irritable. In fact, there are very good reasons why about half of all new moms get the so-called baby blues.

During the first weeks home with a baby, sleep deprivation, recovery from childbirth, the demands of newborn care, lack of experience with babies, and not having adequate help can all be highly stressful. The huge hormonal shifts that occur postpartum can also affect your moods, especially if you have a history of severe PMS. Then factor in modern America's expectations about moms "doing it all" and new moms being "blissed out," and you have the makings of a perfect storm for mild depression.

Knowing that these feelings are normal can be a huge help. It's a good idea to confide your feelings to people you love and trust: your partner, your parents, a close friend, or a relative. Connecting with other new parents online or in your community can help provide the perspective that you're far from alone.

Carve out time for yourself. Let your partner or a grandparent stay with your baby while you visit a friend, go shopping, or just take a relaxing bath. Even sitting outside or taking a walk with your baby in fresh air can help.

Leave work behind. Really! Remember this is maternity leave. Turn off your cell phone and avoid your computer. Use these weeks to nurture your ties with your family.

If feelings persist more than a couple of weeks, tell your doctor. You may have postpartum depression (PPD), a more serious condition. Its causes aren't completely understood, but it's not a reflection on whether you're a "good" mom or "coping well." Symptoms of PPD include extreme anxiety, panic attacks, changes in eating habits (overeating or loss of appetite), insomnia, and thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

3 questions about: SIDS prevention

What is SIDS?

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is sometimes called "crib death." It occurs when a baby under 1 year dies suddenly and without warning, usually while asleep.
Should I worry?Even though SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between 1 month and 1 year, it's still rare. SIDS claims about 2,500 victims a year, usually between 2 and 4 months. No one knows exactly what causes SIDS, although the following things are thought to increase the risk:
• A parent or caregiver who smokes

• Putting the baby to sleep face down on the mattress

• Being born prematurely

• Low birth weight

• Sleeping on a too-soft surface

• Becoming overly hot while sleeping

How can I reduce my baby's risk?

Always put your baby to sleep on her back. When pediatricians and SIDS researchers began recommending this in 1994, the rate of SIDS deaths fell an astounding 40 percent. Clear the cradle or crib of any pillows, soft toys, and bumpers. Keep the room cool, especially if you swaddle your baby.

Some experts advise against sleeping with your newborn in your bed during the early months because the soft bedding is a risk. Others believe that bed sharing allows a mother to respond faster to changes in her baby's breathing or movements. If you do co-sleep, remove fluffy comforters and make sure the mattress is firm. Your baby should sleep on her back even in your bed.

Never smoke around your baby and keep her away from those who do.