Welcome to motherhood! Well…almost motherhood.
The time has come for your baby to arrive and now you may be wondering, what can you expect during your baby’s first week?
During your baby’s first week, you can expect lots of feeding, sleeping, and bonding.
Here are the top 6 things to keep in mind as you navigate this new stage of life.
Newborn Baby’s Sleep A lot During Their First Week
As you may have heard, newborns need a lot of sleep! After all, they have just gone through the intense process of being born into the world.
In fact, it’s not surprising that many newborns sleep up to 16 hours a day in the first few weeks of life. Although it is difficult for many new parents who are already feeling overwhelmed to adjust their sleeping and waking schedule around their baby’s needs, getting ample rest during these first few days lays the foundation for optimum development in your infant.
It’s important to get enough sleep during those initial days and nights so you can handle all the milestones – big and small – that come with raising your baby!
Newborn Babies Eat Often
During the first week at home with your new arrival, you’ll find that eating takes up lots of their time.
Infants need to eat at least every two to three hours to help them grow and develop properly, so make sure that their meals are scheduled into the routine.
Breastfed babies tend to feed more often than those who are bottle-fed, so watch out for signs from your baby’s body language – they will communicate when they’re ready for another helping of milk or formula! Take note of how much your baby is consuming each time too; this will help you tell whether they’re taking in enough nutrients throughout the day.
Newborn Babies Get A lot of Diaper Changes!
One important task parents must tackle during their baby’s first week at home is to ensure frequent diaper changes.
Depending on the child, they may require up to 10 diaper changes throughout the day, so it’s advised that you have plenty of diapers stocked and ready.
Though at times daunting, a regular changing schedule can keep your baby comfortable, clean and ultimately relaxed as they adjust to their new environment.
Newborn Babies Sometimes Cry a Little More!
The first few days of a baby’s life can be a difficult, yet rewarding, experience for parents. Crying is their only form of communication at their young age, and it can often be misinterpreted by those without knowledge or understanding of what baby needs are.
It is important to remember that newborns may cry from hunger or discomfort, and this does not necessarily mean they are unhappy; it just means that they need attention and care.
Comforting techniques such as swaddling and gentle rocking may help soothe the baby back to sleep once the cause of the crying is addressed.
Patience and understanding are key during this early period in a baby’s life, as their care providers take time to get familiar with what their cries indicate and how to respond appropriately.
Newborn Babies Gain A lot of Weight During Week 1
During their first seven days, babies typically experience quite a transformation!
At birth, they typically weigh between six and nine pounds, but they’ll start gaining weight quickly as they adjust to life outside of the womb.
Their growth will be remarkable – from a mere 17-20 inches in length at birth, their size can nearly double within the first month alone. Not to mention how much wider and longer their head circumference becomes!
This newfound growth is thanks in part to eating multiple times a day for nourishment and forming good sleep patterns that help foster valuable developmental milestones.
Mom and Dad May Be Tired
The first week with a newborn baby can be overwhelming and exhausting due to the sudden change in lifestyle. From hospital visits to midnight feedings, it is common to feel both exhausted and excited during this time.
While you may worry that you are not doing enough or making the right decisions, rest assured that it isn’t always easy at first but it will get better.
The extra efforts you make now – such as attending appointments, feeding regularly, and making sure your little one is comfortable – will pay off and serve as the groundwork for a strong parent-child bond.
Although there are often sleepless nights and moments of uncertainty, remember that these growing pains will eventually pass.
With each day comes more knowledge and understanding of what parenting entails – so hang in there! It may be hard during those first few days but it is all worth it in the end!
Summary of Your Baby’s First Week
Being a new parent can be a daunting task, but with a little bit of preparation and care you’ll be ready to welcome your new bundle of joy home!
During the first week of parenting, it’s important to remember that your newborn will sleep for up to 16 hours a day. They’ll also need to eat often and have their diapers changed frequently.
You may find it surprising that infants cry very often – sometimes even when they’re happy or content! With time, you’ll be able to recognize their needs just by the sound they make. Additionally, babies gain weight quickly in the first few weeks, so make sure monitor their growth carefully.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and exhausted during this period in life; however don’t forget all the wonderful moments you’ll experience and cherish forever. The tough times may pass quickly but your heart will remain full with love for years to come.
