Even with an adorable 2 week old baby in the house, as a new mom, you might not think to celebrate the end of the second week of your baby’s life.

The reality is, by this time you probably don’t know what day it is, and even if you do, you’re too tired to do much celebrating.

Labor and birth are already fading into memory as your helpless newborn demands your full attention. Your growing baby is beginning the most rapid development of her life outside the womb.

Your body is still recovering from labor – either a vaginal birth or c-section birth. As you and your baby will probably encounter sleeping problems, it’s an important time of rest for you both. You’ll be surprised at the difference a good rest makes for you and your baby in the early weeks.

You can read more in The Undervalued Therapeutic Power Of Postpartum Rest.

It could take up to six weeks to recover and much longer if you had a c-section birth. Your uterus is shrinking down to its pre-pregnancy size, and you might still experience some light bleeding.

If you notice your bleeding gets heavier after more physical activity, take this as a sign to slow down and rest. Reach out to your doctor right away when you feel like bleeding is not normal anymore.

It’s easy to start getting back to your busy life, but your body deserves and needs the time to recover fully.

Many cultures worldwide recognize this first month after birth as a time for the new mother to be cared for, as she recovers and gets to know her baby.

Find out more in our article Why You Should Have A Postpartum Month After The Birth.

It’s not just about your body; you should also prioritize your mental health. While some level of ‘baby blues’ is normal, be sure to speak to your health care provider or doctor if you’re having intrusive or disturbing thoughts. Mental health is really important especially for new moms like you.

Make sure to eat healthy foods and find someone you can talk to. Look for credible sources that are content-accurate for all the information you need. Peer-reviewed studies are also helpful.

Some postpartum mood disorders, such as postpartum depression, have symptoms that appear or peak at 2-4 weeks after the baby is born.

These conditions need to be taken seriously, as appropriate treatment is important for the safety of both mother and baby.

Breastfeeding your 2-week old baby

By week two, if your baby is feeding effectively and efficiently, any nipple tenderness should now be easing. Your breasts will begin to adjust to the supply and demand rhythm of breastfeeding.

You’ll spend most of your waking hours with your baby at the breast and, quite possibly, most of your non-waking hours as well.

It might help to read our article about The Early Days Of Breastfeeding – What’s Normal And What’s Not?

This second week is an important time for your breasts to get feedback from your baby.

It helps establish a good milk supply and prime the cells that produce breast milk, in order to maximize production.

At this age your baby is still learning, so you can expect a few attempts at each feed before she can latch.

She might doze off to sleep mid-feed and have a short nap, before rousing again and getting on with it.

This is due to her immaturity, but it can make nursing sessions drag out over more than an hour. Bath time before sleeping is also a great way to help your 2 week old to have a comfortable sleep.

Rest assured, as she grows, she will become more focused and efficient.

Both of you are learning new skills, so it might help to read the tips in our article How To Breastfeed – 5 Key Steps For New Mothers.

How much does a 2 week old baby eat?

All babies are different, but it’s normal at this age for new babies to feed frequently throughout the day (and night).

In week two, your baby might breastfeed an average of 8-12 times in a 24-hour period. Sometimes it can be more often than this.

It’s a sign your baby is growing rapidly and needs frequent feeding. It isn’t a sign you aren’t making enough breast milk for her, or that you should think about formula feeding or bottle feeding.

Sometimes one feed can even run into the next one; this is called cluster feeding.

Expect that your breast milk will now be mostly mature, with the last traces of colostrum fading by the end of this week.

Your breasts will feel firm and full before you feed, and softer afterward. If your baby and your breasts get out of sync sometimes, you might experience engorgement.

You might occasionally or regularly leak some breast milk and need to use breast pads. Don’t worry if you don’t; leaking varies between women and isn’t related to your milk supply.

If you’re formula feeding your baby, read our article Formula Feeding – 9 Things To Avoid When Using Formula for important health and safety information.

How much does a 2 week old baby poop?

By now you’ll be a dab hand in your diaper changing skills. You’ve probably already encountered your first poop explosion, and become well acquainted with your baby’s bowel movements.

Who knew parenting could be this much fun?

Your little one will now be having at least five heavily wet disposable nappies and at least five bowel movements each day.

The poop will have gone past the meconium, brown, and green stages, and will have moved swiftly on to yellow.

The good news is that these are all reliable indicators your baby is getting enough milk.

Check out 3 Reliable Signs your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk for more information.

What if your 2 week old baby is not pooping?

It’s unusual for babies of this age to become constipated, especially if you’re breastfeeding, but if you’re concerned speak to your baby’s doctor for further advice.

If you’re bottle-feeding, make sure you’re making up feeds with the correct amount of water, in accordance with the instructions.

If your baby seems uncomfortable when trying to pass stools, warm water might be comforting to her. Introduce a calming bath time routine, to help soothe her. It might also help her to fall into a more restful sleep afterward.

You can also use a stool softener if it is prescribed by your doctor.

Settling your 2 week old baby

You can expect your baby will settle best when held against your warm body, especially if you’re also moving. She’s used to the movements she felt while in the womb as you moved during pregnancy.

Rocking, bouncing, and swaying are instinctive movements we make when soothing a crying or sleeping baby. These movements aren’t accidental. They’re crucial to help babies develop proprioception – an awareness of their own bodies.

This is important to help your baby learn to move her limbs – a change from a bundle of uncoordinated reflexes to purposeful movements.

Can you take a newborn out at 2-weeks?

Taking your little one out for some fresh air will do her the world of good. Outdoor walks and a change of scenery are also great for your own mental health.

Stepping out with a newborn can often feel a bit daunting in the first few weeks. Many parents worry about needing to change nappies or breastfeeding while out and about.

Just try going a short distance to start with, and build up gradually as you begin to feel more confident.

Babywearing is one of the best ways to keep your baby close to you for feeds, and a natural way to provide her with lots of movement. It’s great for walks, but also ideal to help you get some things done hands-free.

It helps soothe a fussy baby and promotes bonding. Your partner and other caregivers can get in on babywearing too.

Read more and get more details on the reasons to wear your baby in Babywearing – 10 Benefits To Wearing Your Baby.

Your 2-week old baby – sleep

At 2 weeks if your baby isn’t feeding, it’s likely she’s sleeping. This is normal.

Newborns don’t really spend much time awake. When they are awake, they usually want to feed.

It’s also normal and natural for a 2-week old baby to end a feed asleep at the breast.

Day and night, you’ll probably find your baby sleeps best when in contact with a parent or in close proximity to her mother.

It’s normal for your baby to wake about every three hours to eat. Some babies have one longer stretch of sleep in a 24-hour period. Remember that babies are easily distracted from their sleep by loud noises – so watch out.

How your 2 week old baby falls asleep?

You will probably have encountered sleeping problems by now. At about this stage many parents reevaluate the family’s sleeping arrangements.

You might find your baby’s sleep happens far less in her carefully decorated nursery than you anticipated.

The safest place for your baby to fall asleep is in the same room as you, at least for the first 6 months.

See our article 5 Sleep Options For Your Baby – Where Will Your Baby Sleep? for some tips to help you decide.

After breastfeeding in the day, your baby will often sleep against your chest.

You might decide to use this time effectively by tackling some household chores while your baby sleeps. However, you also need to rest as often as you can. ‘Sleep while your baby is sleeping’ is one of the best rules you’ll ever hear. Daytime naps are a great way to do that.

It’s important to avoid falling asleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby, though, as these are not safe sleep spaces.

Always make sure you don’t place your baby anywhere where she could potentially roll and fall off.

Never leave your baby unattended for any length of time – for example, on a changing table. And make sure she’s never sleeping where something can cover your baby’s mouth and nose.

Instead, plan to nap together, and learning to breastfeed lying down in your bed. Remember that the safest place for your baby is beside you. Always follow guidelines for safe bed-sharing.

You might like to read our article Sleeping With Baby – Is Co-Sleeping Safe?

Your midwife, lactation consultant (IBCLC), or child health nurse can show you how to breastfeed lying down.

You might also like to read our article How To Breastfeed Lying Down (And Why You Should Try It!).

Play and development

Interaction

Most babies sleep a great deal at this stage. In the brief periods when your 2-week old baby is awake, alert, and isn’t hungry or tired, she’ll enjoy getting to know you by gazing at your face. This is one of the ways your little one’s brain development occurs.

What can a baby see at 2 weeks?

A newborn’s vision is fuzzy and although she can make out light and movement, she can only focus on things around 20-30 cms (8-12 inches) away. This just happens to be the distance from your face to her eyes while she is feeding.

It’s probably instinctive for those meeting a newborn for the first time to move their faces to this distance directly in front of the baby, and smile broadly.

Don’t take it personally if she frowns back at you, though. As your baby watches your face and expressions, she’s practicing her own facial expressions.

At this age, most babies close their eyes when feeding. But otherwise, your baby enjoys looking at the facial features of her parents, siblings, and close family members and beginning her first interactions.

What do you do with a 2 week old baby?

Talk and sing to your baby, say her name and match her expressions. Even at just two weeks old she’s learning about language, conversation, and emotions.

The best time to interact with your baby in this way is when she is in a quiet-alert state. This is when the baby isn’t fussy or sleepy but is gazing with wide eyes and her limbs are fairly still.

At two weeks of age these quiet-alert times aren’t very long or frequent, so pay attention and catch them while you can.

Remember, newborns can be overstimulated quite easily. Your baby will communicate with you about this through some quite subtle actions.

One way a newborn lets you know she’s getting overstimulated is by looking away from you, breaking eye contact, and turning her head.

Your baby will get the hiccups or start to be a bit fussy if things are getting too intense for her.

Make sure to pay attention to your baby’s cues. Babies each have their own personalities and limits. You’ll be amazed at how much they can communicate even at this young age, and your response really supports their brain development.

Read our article Does Pretending to Understand Babies Make Them Smarter? to learn more about their communication and development.

Your 2 week old baby – Umbilical cord

Umbilical cord care includes cleaning your baby’s belly button at least 2 times a day. Tummy time is recommended on a daily basis from the time your baby’s umbilical cord falls off.

In these early days, place your baby flat on her tummy on your chest. She’ll try to raise her head in response to your voice. Wearing your baby against your chest also is a way to get some tummy time in for your little one.

Not all babies enjoy tummy time and it’s important to introduce it gradually for very short periods.

Check out some ideas to help you both enjoy the experience, in our article Tummy Time – 6 Ways To Do It (And How To Make It Fun!)

2 week old baby – Crying

All babies cry. It’s the primary way our babies can communicate with us.

Babies might cry for a number of reasons. As you get to know your baby, you’ll become better at deciphering what your baby is trying to tell you.

Research shows consistent response and physical closeness reduces infant crying.

Follow your instinct and don’t worry about ‘spoiling’ your new baby.

Remember, human infants, are born more immature than other mammals. During the first month after birth, they’re adjusting to life and the environment outside the womb. We call this the fourth trimester and it’s an important part of a newborn’s transition to the world.

Growth spurt and development

Your baby’s physical development happens from head to toe, and from the trunk out to the smaller muscles of the hands and feet. Many growth spurts can happen within six weeks.

This means your baby’s first big physical task is holding up her head and gaining control of her neck.

Newborns can hold their heads upright for short periods of time, but a baby’s head still needs a lot of support as she practices this skill. Tummy time and babywearing against your chest support this milestone.

Newborns don’t have much control over their movements at this point of development. They’re born with several neurological reflexes:

Moro reflex (sometimes called the ‘startle’ reflex). Your baby will pull her legs and arms tight into her body if she feels a loss of support. Safe swaddling can help settle her if this reflex happens often
Grasp reflex. Your baby’s hands are often in tight fists. They only relax when she’s sleeping or finished feeding. Your baby can hold onto your finger but letting go isn’t a skill she can consciously control. So don’t put toys in her grasp as she might hit herself
Suck/root reflex. Your baby searches for a nipple and sucks when her cheek is brushed. She might suck in her ‘dreamy’ state of sleep, too.

Do babies have growth spurts at 2 weeks?

You’ll almost be able to see your baby grow over the next few weeks, although this period can sometimes cause you concern about your baby’s weight gain. A growth spurt means your baby is having a more intense period of growth.

Around this time your baby is likely to regain any initial weight loss and be close to, if not above, her birth weight.

You might find your baby goes through many growth spurts over the coming weeks and months. Understanding how babies grow and how growth is measured will be helpful.

You can learn more in our article Baby Weight Gain – What’s Normal? 5 Questions Answered.