Newborn

Week 1: Essentials

Forget the milestones. This week is about feeding, sleep survival, and hygiene.

Your only goal this week: Keep the baby fed, keep yourself fed, and sleep whenever humanly possible.

Your baby's stomach starts small but grows fast. They need to eat constantly.

Cluster feeding: Baby might want to eat every hour. This is normal and signals your body to make more milk.
Latching: It shouldn't hurt *too* much. If it's toe-curling pain, break the seal and try again.
Milk supply: Your milk usually comes in around Day 3-5. Before that, it's colostrum (liquid gold).

Temperature: Aim for body temp (~37°C/98°F). Test on your wrist—it should feel neutral, not hot.
No Water: Never give plain water. It has no nutrients and can be dangerous for newborns. Hydration comes solely from milk.
Proper Latch: Ensure baby sucks properly with a tight seal to avoid swallowing excess air. If you hear clicking sounds, adjust the bottle.
Pacing: Keep the bottle horizontal. This prevents the milk from flowing too fast, which can cause choking or overeating (tummy ache).
Amount: Start small (15-30ml). Their stomach is tiny, and overfeeding leads to spit-ups.
Burping: Essential! Babies swallow air when they eat. If you don't burp them, that air gets trapped, causing painful gas and fussiness later.
Sensitivities: Watch for signs of lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy. Soy-based formulas can be an alternative, but consult your pediatrician first.
Leftovers: If baby doesn't finish the bottle, use it within 2 hours (breast milk) or 1 hour (formula). Bacteria from their mouth can contaminate the milk.

Frequency: Pump every 2-3 hours (8-10 times a day) to establish your supply, even if supplementing.
Storage (Rule of 4s): Breast milk is good for 4 hours at room temperature, 4 days in the fridge, and 6 months in the freezer.
Labeling: Always label bags with the date and time. Oldest milk gets used first!

Sleep deprivation is real. Prioritize safety and taking shifts.

Back to Sleep: Always place baby on their back to sleep. This single action significantly reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) by keeping their airway clear.
Room Temperature: Keep the room cool and comfortable, ideally between 20-22°C (68-72°F). Overheating is a SIDS risk factor.
Swaddling: Babies have a startle reflex (Moro reflex) that wakes them up. A tight swaddle mimics the womb and prevents their arms from flailing.
Pacifiers: Sucking is soothing for babies. It also helps keep their airway open, further reducing SIDS risk.

Cord Care: Keep it dry. Sponge baths only until the stump falls off (usually 1-2 weeks). Soaking it can cause infection or delay healing.
Laundry: Use fragrance-free detergent. Newborn skin is extremely sensitive and harsh chemicals can cause rashes.
Bathing: You don't need to bathe baby every day (it dries out their skin). 2-3 times a week is plenty. Use lukewarm water and mild, unscented soap.
Bottle Cleaning: Their immune system is still developing. Sterilize bottles once a day to kill bacteria that hot soapy water might miss.

What's in the diaper tells you if baby is eating enough.

Days 1-2 (Meconium):
Black, tar-like, and sticky. This is normal.
Day 4+ (Transitional to Yellow):
Mustard yellow, seedy, and loose (if breastfed) or tan/pasty (if formula). You want to see at least 6 wet diapers a day by Day 6.

Your body just went through a major trauma. Give it grace.

Bleeding (Lochia): Heavy bleeding is normal for the first few days. Large clots (golf ball size) warrant a call to the doctor.
Baby Blues: Crying for no reason around Day 3-5 is a huge hormone crash. It's normal. If it lasts past 2 weeks, check for PPD.
Hydration: Keep water everywhere. You need it for recovery and milk production.

This is the hardest week. It gets better. You are doing an amazing job.