What is neonatal?

Neonatal is a term that refers to the first four weeks of life. It is a time of rapid change for babies, as they transition from being completely dependent on their mother to becoming more independent. Neonates are born with a number of reflexes that help them to survive, such as the sucking reflex and the Moro reflex. They also have a very high metabolism, which means that they need to eat frequently.

During the neonatal period, babies are vulnerable to a number of health problems, such as respiratory distress, jaundice, and infections. They are also at risk of developing developmental problems, such as cerebral palsy and mental retardation. However, with proper care and medical attention, most neonates will go on to develop into healthy adults.

Here are some of the important things that happen during the neonatal period:

* Weight gain: Babies typically double their birth weight by 4 months of age.

* Head circumference growth: Babies' heads will grow about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in circumference during the first month of life.

* Body length growth: Babies typically grow about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length during the first month of life.

* Development of vision: Babies are born with very poor vision, but their eyesight will improve rapidly during the first few weeks of life.

* Development of hearing: Babies are born with the ability to hear, but their hearing will continue to develop during the first few months of life.

* Development of speech: Babies will start to make sounds and coo during the first few weeks of life. They will start to say words by 12 months of age.

* Development of motor skills: Babies will start to hold their heads up, roll over, and sit up during the first few months of life. They will start to walk by 12 months of age.

The neonatal period is a time of rapid growth and development for babies. It is a time of joy, but it can also be a challenging time for parents. With proper care and attention, most neonates will go on to develop into healthy adults.