Welcoming Baby Home
What to Expect from Your Newborn's First Few Weeks
Your baby has arrived and you’re ready to bring him home for the very first time. What are some of the biggest surprises?
You might be excited… and scared.
If you’re secretly unsure you’re ready for the huge responsibility of caring for a tiny newborn, you’re not alone. Keep in mind that babies are resilient, and long before we had carseats, cars or even the wheel, houses, huts or even the discovery of fire, babies were born, comforted, fed, carried and kept warm against their mothers’ bodies. Our babies still prefer this age-old arrangement best: being held snugly, being walked or rocked, and feeding frequently are the things young babies find most comforting during these early days, and these are all things that you can do.
Just taking care of the essentials will be a full time job.
Your first weeks at home will focus on keeping yourself and your baby reasonably well fed, rested, clean and comfortable. Just managing these mere basics may take more time, effort and energy than you might imagine, but will likely be more rewarding than you might expect.
You may rarely have your hands free.
Newborns spend most of their time sleeping, eating and fussing. When he is eating or sleeping, he’ll need your hands, lap, time and attention, and when not feeding or sleeping, you’ll be actively involved in keeping him clean with diaper changes and skin care, and keeping him comfortable with cuddling, rocking, walking or by providing gentle stimulation.
A sling is like an extra set of arms.
Learning to use a baby sling or soft carrier will certainly benefit you both, keeping your baby close, content or asleep while leaving hands free to make a sandwich, check email or put away groceries. Since babies sleep longer when held or cuddled, a sling offers the perfect combination of close physical contact and comforting movement, reminding them of the lulling conditions of the womb. Many studies and parents agree that newborns that are carried more, cry less.
Babies sleep a lot, but not always at night.
Newborns may sleep for up to 18 hours out of 24, but much of their sleep occurs in short stretches, and they may have their days and nights reversed during the first week or two, sleeping more during the day but becoming more fretful overnight. To begin reversing this pattern, try to feed your baby every 1.5 – 3 hours during the day, and provide gentle stimulation when you see your baby is awake. At night time, contrast the daytime noise and activity by keeping the lights and sounds low, speak softly and encourage your baby to fall asleep again soon after feeding by snug swaddling and gentle rocking.
Babies eat up to a dozen times a day!
While you are both learning to breastfeed, some feeding sessions may go well while others may be challenging. It’s common for babies to fall asleep after drinking just a little warm milk, and it may take persistence to make sure your baby stays awake and interested enough to take in a full meal. Since feeding often stimulates a bowel movement, a diaper change may help your sleepy baby wake up and eat a bit more. During the first two weeks, offer to feed your baby at least every 1.5 – 3 hours during the day, and every 3 – 4 hours overnight (if he is willing to sleep that long) aiming for 10 –12 feedings over 24 hours. That way, even if one or two feedings don’t go as well as others, your baby will likely be taking in plenty of milk.
What goes in… comes out. In abundance.
Keep track of diaper changes during the first week or two. By the fourth day, your baby should be wetting four wet diapers and having several greenish or yellow bowel movements. By the end of the first week, your baby should be wetting six or more diapers and having several loose yellow bowel movements each day. Once most feeding sessions are going well, your baby is wetting and dirtying plenty of diapers each day, and the pediatrician confirms that your baby is regularly gaining weight, it is no longer necessary to track feedings or diapers.
You’ll be a diapering pro in no time.
With 6 – 10 practice sessions each day, you’ll soon perfect your diapering skills. If you’re recovering from a c -section, a second, temporary changing station is helpful to avoid going up and down the stairs frequently. It’s fine to use a folded towel or waterproof pad on the floor, couch or counter. Remember never leave your baby alone on a raised surface even for a moment.
Babies are noisy!
Expect frequent sneezes and occasional coughs, both help keep your baby’s airways clear and are not a sign of illness. Your baby’s breathing may sound louder at times, especially when asleep, with rapid breathing periods interspersed with short pauses. Digestive noises range from tummy squeaks and gurgles to grunting, straining, tooting and the particular explosive precursor to a diaper change! Loud burps and quiet sighs round out your baby’s repertoire, joined soon by sweet coos in response to your conversations.
Your baby is looking and learning.
Several times each day, your baby may have brief phases of being awake, calm and interested in taking in the environment. Gaze at your baby while you speak to him softly and let him look at your face, stroke his arms and legs or sing a quiet little song. Give him a guided tour of your yard or the kitchen. He’ll enjoy your voice and movement and high-contrast items like dark picture frames against a white wall or sunlight coming through the blinds. Move slowly and let him focus his attention on anything that seems to catch his interest.
Babies are fascinating.
One of the biggest surprises is how infatuated you may be with each tiny detail of your baby’s expressions, responses, fingers and toes. Though the first few weeks may feel like a rollercoaster ride of joy and anxiety, the intensity of emotions may surprise you. An afternoon may go by in a blur of so-called “routine” activities, but you may be surprised at how satisfying you find these special early weeks.