What Do I Need to Know When I Bring my Baby Home?
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Bringing your baby home is thrilling, but it can also feel overwhelming. Suddenly, all the questions, advice, and worries come together in a swirl of new responsibilities. You might wonder if you are doing things right or if your baby is getting everything they need.
The truth is, newborn care is a learning process. By understanding what to expect in the early weeks, including feeding, sleeping, soothing, diapering, and more, you can feel more confident, calm, and connected with your baby, and truly enjoy these special moments.
Feeding Patterns Newborns Often Follow
Newborns may want to eat often. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “your baby may want to eat as often as every 1 to 3 hours.” This frequent feeding is expected in the early weeks and supports your baby’s nutrition and breastfeeding establishment.
Look for these signs that your baby is feeding well:
Strong sucking and swallowing during feeds
Appearing content or relaxed afterward
Regular wet and dirty diapers
Gradual weight gain within healthy ranges
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notes that even before a child can talk, they show signs of hunger and fullness through sounds and movements. The CDC explains that recognizing and responding to these cues helps caregivers understand when a child is ready to eat or is full.
Typical Sleep Patterns in the First Weeks
Newborns need a lot of sleep in the early weeks of life. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that babies from birth to 3 months typically need 14 to 17 hours of sleep per day, spread over a 24-hour period.
Safe sleep practices are essential. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend:
Placing your baby on their back for all sleep times
Using a firm, flat sleep surface free of soft bedding or loose items
Keeping your baby’s sleep space in the same room for the first few months
Following these practices helps your baby sleep safely and allows you to respond quickly to cues.
Understanding Newborn Crying and Soothing
Crying is your baby’s main form of communication. In the first weeks, crying may feel frequent or intense, but it is rarely a sign that something is wrong. Common reasons include hunger, discomfort, fatigue, or a need for closeness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This will help them feel cared for and secure.” The CDC also explains that the way parents cuddle and hold their baby helps form bonds of love and trust that support social and emotional development.
Diapering and Umbilical Cord Care Basics
Tracking wet and dirty diapers can help you understand how your baby is feeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notes that one sign a newborn is getting enough milk is that your baby has enough pees and poops throughout the day.
The World Health Organization and MedlinePlus explain that the umbilical cord stump naturally dries and falls off within one to three weeks. Keeping it clean and dry and folding the diaper down so air can reach the stump helps it heal. Avoid submerging the cord in a full bath until it has fully healed.
Bathing and Hygiene for Newborns
Full baths aren’t needed every day. In the first few weeks, sponge baths are sufficient until the umbilical cord stump falls off. According to American Academy of Pediatrics via HealthyChildren.org, “Newborns don’t need a bath every day. They rarely sweat or get dirty enough to need a full bath that often.” The article also notes that “Three baths per week during baby’s first year may be enough,” as bathing more frequently can dry out a baby’s skin.
Why Burping Matters for Newborns
Burping helps release air swallowed during feeds and can reduce fussiness and discomfort. The HealthyChildren.org explains how to hold your baby and gently pat or rub the back in a rhythmic motion. If a burp doesn’t come immediately, that’s normal. Some babies release air naturally during feeds.
Recognizing Early Developmental Cues
Even in the first days, babies communicate and learn. Observing early cues, like eye contact, alert phases, hand-to-mouth movement, turning toward sounds or touch, helps you know when your baby is ready for feeding, play, or rest. Responding to these cues supports attachment, trust, and healthy early development.
Supporting New Parents in These Early Weeks
The first weeks at home are a learning curve for both you and your baby. Having support, guidance, and reassurance can make a meaningful difference in how confident you feel.
If you are in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, Haven Place Doulas offers hands-on support. Our team can help you understand feeding cues, sleep patterns, soothing techniques, and overall newborn well-being so you feel informed and empowered during these first weeks.
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