1 Week Old Newborn Development: Those Adorable Eyes, Fingers, & Toes

It's crazy, right? That bulge in your belly that called for elasticized waistbands and mammoth body pillows is now an actual person lying in your lap (or perhaps spitting up on your shoulder).
What You're Thinking: "I can't believe they let me leave the hospital with this baby!"

• Newborn Vision: Can your baby see you? His vision is fuzzy at best since newborns can only see 8 to 15 inches away. Babies don't see clearly at a distance until about 6 months of age, but studies show that they can recognize Mom's face even just hours after birth! So however blurry, he'll know it's you.
• Eye Color: What color are baby's eyes? (That's what everyone's asking, anyway.) Too bad for them: Your newborn will keep that little secret for a while since her eyes will stay tightly shut most of the time. (You could use that much shut-eye!) And even if you do get a glimpse, newborn eye color changes over the first couple of months, so you won't really know the true hue till baby is between 6 and 12 months old. (And then she'll get colored contacts when she's 18 and everyone will be back to guessing ... )
• Startle Reflex: Don't worry about that startle response! Babies are born with a number of reflexes, and the startle or "Moro" reflex is one of them. It happens in response to a loud sound or a sudden shift in position when your baby will tilt her head back and fan both her arms out like a tiny skydiver.
• Finger Gripping: Another cute reflex is the palmar grasp. If you put your finger into your baby's palm, she'll curl her tiny fingers and hold you tight ... She can even do it with her toes (only there it's called "plantar reflex"). That palmar grasp provides a great photo op!

• You amble around the corner and only wince in pain once.
• You finally realize why your friends told you to wear nursing pads to bed (that puddle of leaking breast milk yesterday morning was an effective reminder).
• Today you showered and washed your hair (shampoo only—your split ends will just have to wait to be conditioned).
• You only checked to make sure the baby was still breathing 75 times today. Progress!
• Your milk's come in and your new "girls" could definitely give Pamela Anderson a run for her money. Unfortunately these fabulous new boobs often come at a price. It's totally normal to have breast pain. Try wearing a bra to bed for breast support, taking a hot shower or sticking cold cabbage leaves on 'em. Sounds gross, but hey, whatever works! If they're really killing you and are red and swollen, you might have mastitis or a clogged milk duct, so call your doc.

Is your baby covered? We're not talking disposables versus cloth here—we mean on your health insurance! If you've already taken care of adding Junior to your family health insurance policy, rock on, Mama! But if you've been too busy diapering, feeding, cleaning spit-up off your shirts and trying to get some sleep, now's the time to give your insurance company a buzz. Check out our tips for making sure your newest high-value item is fully covered. Read more ...

• How do I clean my newborn's uncircumcised penis properly?
• How should I care for my newborn's newly circumcised penis?
• Dealing With Breast Engorgement
• Postpartum Depression
• Signs That Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk
• Tips on Offering Your Baby a Bottle

Do It: Kegels
The doc says you can't resume exercising yet. But there is one body part you can begin to whip back into shape.
Buy It: Bra Back Extender
Keep up with your ever-expanding boobs without overextending your budget.
Share It: Cuddling vs. Cribs
One co-sleeping mama extols the virtues of snuggling with her babe.
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.

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All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.