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A Day With A New Baby
Coming home with a new baby brings with it an exhausting array of new
responsibilities and challenges. Is there such a thing as a typical day for new
parents? Probably not! Remember, your baby has just gone through an enormous
change too, so part of the process when you first bring him home is his
transition from the womb to the outside world. Keep him close to you, wrapped up
and warm.
If your baby is to be formula fed he’ll need to feed around every 3 hours. A
rough guide initially is 3oz every 3 hours. If you’re breastfeeding he may need
to feed more frequently. Sometimes you will feel that all you do day and night
is feed. And there will be lots of nappies to change, especially until you get
familiar with his schedule of bowel movements! His diaper will probably need to
be changed soon after feeding; about once an hour in the very beginning. Be sure
to check frequently.
At first your baby won’t know the difference between day and night, so don’t
expect his sleep patterns to fit into anything like yours. Most babies sleep for
between 16 and 20 hours a day at first; this may seem a lot but it will be
broken up into naps between feeds. If you have a Moses basket your baby will
probably take most of his naps in this. At night, many parents like to have baby
sleep in a crib or cot in their bedroom. This also makes getting up to feed him
more convenient.
Why do newborn babies cry? Probably for as many reasons as there are babies.
Being out of the safety of the womb is terrifying for babies, and many need a
lot of comfort in the early days. Expect to spend most of your time feeding,
rocking, changing, soothing and comforting your baby for the first month or so.
When you’re not doing any of the above you should be sleeping – don’t miss any
opportunity to sleep as you don’t know when the next one will appear.
Try to get out of the house at least once a day, from as soon as you feel able
to walk. Even if you only manage to walk a short distance it will be beneficial
for you and the baby. Fresh air can help babies sleep deeper and longer, and the
exercise will help with your healing process. Wrap your baby up carefully on
colder days, with a hat to keep the warmth in, and socks and mittens to protect
delicate hands and feet. Remember, babies often have cold hands and feet as
their circulation isn’t developed, but their core temperature may still be warm.
Check their temperature by feeling their chest or the back of their neck
instead.
If you feel overwhelmed with your new baby and all the changes at first, try and
remember this stage does not last forever. Keep a diary – if you have time. You
will be amazed at how different it all seems in only a few short months from
now.
You might also be interested in:
Read our Diary Of A New Mum and discover what happens when Jessica-Ann comes
home from the hospital and during her first year at home. This fun read is
perfect for new mums and experienced mums alike! New episodes weekly.
Diary Of A New Mum
More about Newborn Babies
Back to AV Baby home
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