If you’re a soon-to-be parent or a parent to a newborn, understanding the various developmental phases in your baby's life will help you to be best prepared for what’s to come. Parenting a newborn can take so much energy out of any caregiver, both physically and mentally. Parents of newborns make a huge adjustment to life with less sleep, less routine, and less normalcy. 

If you’re looking to be best prepared for what comes after the newborn phase, we’ve got you. Keep reading as we review what’s to come next in your and your baby’s lives and how you can best adjust to the new daily routine of a growing and older baby. 

When is a Baby No Longer Considered a Newborn?

Table of Contents

• What age counts as newborn?
• What’s next after the newborn stage?
• When is the newborn phase over?
• 13 Signs that your baby is no longer a newborn
• Tips to make the newborn stage a positive experience

What age counts as newborn?

As much as we want our children to stay little forever, there comes a time when they will no longer be considered newborns. Your baby will be considered a newborn until about 2 months old. With age being an indicator of your baby’s developmental phase, there are other sure signs you no longer have a newborn on your hands. And many milestones are still to come past the newborn phase!

How many weeks is the newborn stage?

There’s really no set range for the newborn stage or other stages like infant or toddler. Expert opinions on what’s considered the newborn stage can also vary, with some classifying a newborn as 28 days or younger and some classifying a newborn as up to 2 or 3 months old. When we think of a newborn, we often think of an extremely delicate baby that’s new to the world. As a parent, you might see them like this for the rest of their life, but this is especially true in the months following birth. 

As you navigate life with a baby and a lack of sleep, it can be helpful to recruit all the support you can, especially from your baby gear. Tushbaby is a multifunctional hip seat carrier that can be used for babies 0-3 years of age, or up to 45lbs. It features an adjustable waistband, storage pockets, and a user-friendly multifunctional design. With four carry positions, including a feeding position, it’s built to grow with your baby from infancy through toddlerhood and evolve with their—and your—changing needs. It’s also the only convertible carrier on the market: when your baby reaches 12 pounds, you can pair the Tushbaby with The Snug attachment for hands-free babywearing.

Before putting your newborn in a carrier or using baby products, be sure to check the age and weight recommendations to ensure they are safe for a little newborn. 

Is a 3 month old a newborn?

A 3 month old baby can technically still be considered a newborn, but you may realize your baby is much more active and responsive at this time. We will review later some of the developmental signs that your baby is no longer a newborn—meaning you are on to the next exciting phase. 

What to expect during the newborn stage: newborn stage milestones

At first, it seems like all babies do is eat, sleep, and poop—because that’s pretty much all they do. But during the first weeks of life outside the womb, your baby is growing, and their brain is developing. Some milestones to look forward to during these early weeks include your baby making a tight fist with their hands and startling at noises (this is known as the Moro Reflex). You may also notice they start jerking in their sleep, but don’t panic; this is normal newborn behavior. 

Is the newborn phase hard?

Every step of parenting is hard. One of the most challenging aspects of life with a newborn is adjusting to life with a baby or life with another baby while your body is simultaneously recovering. On top of that, your sleep schedule is constantly changing. But while the newborn phase is considered hard for most, it’s also rewarding, and you may miss it as your baby becomes more vocal and aware.

As a parent, you’ll need support. Whether that support comes from trusted products like a baby carrier, a pacifier, or simply the helping hands of friends and family, find ways to adjust to life with a newborn baby and be kind to yourself. At Tushbaby, all of our products are designed to make life with a baby easier: our famous Tushbaby Carrier is safe for newborns, too, and evolves with you and them as they grow from early infancy through toddlerhood.

What’s next after the newborn stage?

So, your tiny baby is no longer a newborn, so what’s next? After the newborn stage, your baby will enter the infancy stage. The infancy stage relates to the period from 3 months to about 1 year old, which has many amazing milestones. 

When does the newborn stage end?

Aside from age, there are some changes you will begin to see and feel as you move from having a newborn to an older baby. Parenting a newborn can come with some sure exhaustion as you navigate sleepless nights and parenting worries. After the newborn phase, these challenges may start to seem a bit smaller. As you get more confident in your parenting skills(and hopefully more sleep), you will see the differences in parenting a newborn versus an older baby. Here are some signs that your baby is no longer a newborn:

13 Signs that your baby is no longer a newborn

1. You can decipher between cries

You will start to decipher what your baby needs when they’re crying. As you adjust to parenthood, newborn cries can all sound the same. As your baby gets older, you will start to sense whether a cry is due to hunger or a diaper change. Talk about a parenting win!

2. You’re on a routine

As your baby gets older, you may find that you’re getting into a better groove of things with a routine. Both you and your baby may start to dial in a daily routine that works for you for feeding, sleeping, and even playing. The certainty of a routine will be good for both your baby and you as a parent. 

3. Feedings are quicker

It’s completely normal for parents to struggle with feedings early on. Difficulty latching or even just getting in a comfortable position is a common feeding struggle early on. As your baby ages, these feedings will start to get quicker as you both get the drill down. 

When it comes to feeding, the Tushbaby hip seat carrier is the perfect option for comfort and support. Simply strap the Tushbaby hip seat carrier high and tight around your waist and hold your baby in the feeding position. The carrier evenly distributes your baby’s weight across your body, taking the pressure off your baby and saving your arms. 

4. You change fewer diapers

Fewer diaper changes and fewer diaper purchases are on the horizon as your baby will start to need fewer changes throughout the day after their newborn phase. 

5. Your baby can hold their head up

As your baby begins to hold their head up alone, you will no longer need two hands to hold them. Because babies undoubtedly still want to be held outside of the newborn phase, the Tushbaby hip seat carrier is the perfect option to provide you with extra low back support. And an added bonus: your baby’s tush will have a comfortable seat, and you’ll only need one arm to support them.  

6. Your baby starts to show some personality

As your baby grows older, they will start to let their personality shine! Just wait for those deep baby belly laughs. 

7. You leave the house more often

With an older and more active baby, you’ll both want to get some much-needed time outside the house. 

The Tushbaby hip seat carrier will provide you with the support to be sure that no adventure gets cut short due to pain or exhaustion. In addition to your Tushbaby hip seat carrier, there are some other must-haves to be best prepared for any trips out of the house—many of which fit into Tushbaby’s five storage pockets! 

If you plan to go hands-free, you’ll want to attach the Snug to your Tushbaby. Whether you’re taking a walk, going to the park, or even running errands with baby, the Snug makes it easy to keep baby close, comfortable and safe.

If your Tushbaby storage pockets are full or you need to bring more things along, our Totebaby can pack all you’ll need for your adventures with your baby. Totebaby comes fully stocked with a slim vegan leather fold-up diaper changing pad, a removable organizer, an extra crossbody strap, and a divider pocket to pack your Tushbaby. Totebaby even wipes down for easy cleaning, so no matter where the day takes you, you’ll be ready whenever sh*t happens.  

And don’t forget to put baby’s binky in the Paci Pod for safe keeping while on the go. You can also keep your keys or earbuds in the Paci Pod for quick access when you need them. Whatever your outing has in store, you’ll want to be ready for it; and with the help of our Tushbaby products, being prepared is that much easier. 

8. You’re taking fewer pictures/posting fewer social media updates

Those adorable sleeping baby photos may begin to slow as you now have a much more active little one on your hands. No question you will still take lots of pictures, but you’ll now be spending more time keeping your baby busy. 

9. Baby is sleeping longer (...maybe)

While every baby is different, you may start to settle into a better sleep routine as your baby gets older. Babies typically start to sleep in longer increments as they age. 

10. Baby can roll over

Typically around 4 months, your baby will begin to roll over, an exciting milestone that is a sure sign you no longer have a newborn. 

11. Baby stays entertained long enough to cook or take a shower

That’s right, a little more personal freedom will come back to you. It’s funny how we take for granted things like showering alone before babies. After the newborn phase, your baby may stay entertained long enough for you to enjoy these things alone again! 

12. You’re introducing solid foods

By about 4 to 6 months, you will start swapping more bottles for different baby foods, experimenting with what flavors and foods your little one likes. 

13. Your baby starts to drool

Remember how we said you’d begin to leave the house more? Bringing an extra set of clothes with you will be key, as you never know when the added drool—or any other bodily fluid—will become what your baby is wearing. Pack an extra set of clothes in one of your Tushbaby or Totebaby pockets to be prepared! 

While you may not have a newborn on your hands anymore (or yet!), your job as a parent is complex and so important. For all parent must-haves that can help you prepare for life with a growing baby, shop Tushbaby. Just because your baby may not be a newborn anymore doesn’t mean they won’t want to be held close; It just means that holding them will be even more exhausting. But not with help from Tushbaby. The Tushbaby Carrier is safe for babies from birth up to 45 pounds. In addition, the Totebaby is the perfect sustainable tote bag for parents with kids of all ages. With plenty of room, pockets, and additional baby gear items, you’ll be ready for anything while keeping up your style status quo. 

Tips to make the newborn stage a positive experience

• Keep their nails trimmed: As your baby starts to grab onto things (like your skin or hair) and flail their arms more, those fingernails can turn into weapons. Keep them trimmed and ask your doctor or a medical professional for help if needed.
  
  
• Swaddling: Newborns are adjusting to a noisy life outside the womb, and swaddling is a way to mimic the feeling of safety that your baby grew to know in the womb. Swaddling your baby can help them sleep and sleep more comfortably, especially when paired with a sound machine.
  
  
• Make a to-do list that you can achieve one-by-one: It can start to feel like time slips away with a newborn, as does a sense of who you were before. With your whole life revolving around your precious baby, it can be hard to stay on track of everything non-baby related that needs to get done.
  
  Without putting too much pressure on yourself, make a to-do list of things you want to achieve with or without your baby. It can be rewarding to prove to yourself all that you and your baby can accomplish. The to-do list can be for daily activities, weekly or monthly goals, or whatever fits your needs best.  Some to-do’s may require the assistance of a much-loved baby carrier like the Tushbaby.
  
  
• Enjoy this stage—it doesn’t last long! We know you’re tired, and might be finding yourself dreaming of the day your baby can take themself to the potty or get their own milk from the fridge. That day will hopefully come, but don’t forget to enjoy the moments of life with a newborn. It’ll go faster than you can imagine!
  
  
• Have an emergency pack ready for unexpected travel or accidents in the home: Being prepared can lead to positive experiences with a newborn. Whether you’re prepping a bag for an unexpected trip, doctor’s appointment, or family emergency, it’s good to think ahead about what you might need in a moment’s notice.
  
  Keep an emergency bag handy with essentials like diapers, clothes, formula, or your baby’s non-negotiables like a sound machine or pacifier. Our sleek vegan leather Totebaby is perfect for just that—it’s lightweight, wipes down clean, and comes with removable baby tote features like an organizing caddy, changing pad, and divider pocket to pack your Tushbaby. It’s the perfect getaway bag for a fun day with baby or an emergency to keep your necessities organized in one place. 

One item you’ll want to keep close with your Tushbaby carrier is The Snug, our new hands-free attachment wrap designed exclusively for your Tushbaby. To wear The Snug, just attach it to your Tushbaby Carrier, place your baby on the seat, wrap the straps over your shoulders, then buckle up and go! When it’s time to stretch those little legs, you can stash The Snug in the under-seat pocket of your Tushbaby and carry on. It’s easy to put on alone, and can be worn with babies as early as 12 lbs. While your baby may be getting older, they’ll likely still take plenty of naps, even on the go. The ability to babywear hands-free while your baby naps is a game changer—as is being able to convert that same carrier you to a full hipseat that allows you to interact with your baby while you support them with one arm. Are you thinking it yet? You need a Tushbaby.

If your Tushbaby storage pockets are full, or you need to bring more things along (and you likely will), Totebaby can pack all you’ll need for your adventures with your baby.  With the help of our Tushbaby products, being prepared for any outing is that much easier.

From newborn to toddler Tushbaby products can grow with your family. Shop online today!