What Should I Do With My Baby the First Week?

The long-awaited arrival of your baby has arrived! You've been waiting, wondering, and anticipating for nine months, and now you're holding that sweet-smelling bundle of cuteness. Having spent so much time in your confined and watery uterus, and then having to squeeze through the narrow birth canal, your baby may have emerged with more wrinkles and a more pronounced conehead than you had anticipated. Check out My Baby Nursery for all your baby product needs.

Never forget to savour those early moments of holding your baby close, whether it be a cuddle, a feeding, or just skin-to-skin contact. Get to know your new family member and begin the bonding process right away. It's important to remember that it can take time for emotions like love and connection to develop over the course of a few weeks or months.

The First Seven Days With Your Newborn

For the first week of life, a newborn is focused on adjusting to their new surroundings. The environment outside of the womb is drastically different from the dark, consistent temperature, and quiet confines of the uterus. Warmth, love, security, attention, and lots of cuddles and smiles can help your baby adjust to life in the outer world.

Your Baby's First Week

The physical look of your infant will shift throughout the first week. The contour of your baby's head, which may have been slightly cone-shaped due to the birth canal or a vacuum-assisted birth, should eventually flatten out and return to its regular, round form.

It will only take a few days for the swelling to go down around your newborn's eyes. Bruising on your baby's face or head from birth trauma, like that which could occur during a caesarian section, will heal with time. Babies with visible bruises are more likely to develop neonatal jaundice. In the event that you notice yellowing skin on your newborn's face and are concerned that he or she may have jaundice, you should contact your child and family health nurse, midwife, and doctor.

After about ten days, the umbilical cord of your newborn will have dried, become black, and fallen off. It's important to maintain the umbilical cord dry and clean. Inform your midwife, doctor, or child and family health nurse if the skin around the umbilical cord is red or sticky. There's a chance that your newborn will be born with, or develop, a birthmark. Common birthmarks normally don't require any special care. However, if you have any worries about your newborn's birthmark or if it changes, it's best to have your doctor or a child and family health nurse take a look.

First Week Sleeping And Feeding

In the beginning, your infant will sleep a lot, only waking up to eat every few hours. The phrase "sleep through the night" does not apply to newborns. They need to wake up and eat frequently due to their small stomachs. Most babies need to eat every two to four hours during the first several days. In the case of a nursing infant, this period of time could reach up to an hour.

When it's time to feed, newborns normally awaken. Newborns that have lost a lot of weight, are extremely little, or are jaundiced may need to be revived before they can be fed. Observing a regular eating and sleeping schedule is probably going to take some time.

Taking care of yourself in those initial few weeks is crucial. You can get some shut-eye by taking advantage of nap times for your infant and getting some exercise and rest when he or she is sleeping. Additionally, the support of loved ones can be extremely helpful.

Early Life Development

Because you and your newborn are spending so much time together, he or she is learning a great deal. As they take in information from the world through their senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch, their brain is actively expanding and evolving. Your newborn's natural response to loud noises and the abrupt closure of their hands due to the grip reflex is to startle. It's also common for them to experience sleep movements that are rapid and jerky.

Your kid is honing the skills necessary for life outside the womb during this first week. What are the biggest concerns? Babies have a unique opportunity to create a microbiome distinct from their mother's during the process of breastfeeding and digestion. At this stage, your newborn is learning to use his or her sense of smell and touch, so it's important to spend as much time as possible this week interacting with your baby skin to skin. Numerous reactions, such as startling or what seems like shivering, are present from an early age and are quite normal.

Newborns' breathing patterns are an important developmental milestone. You might expect your baby's breathing to be erratic and full of apnea episodes starting around week 1. (when they stop breathing altogether). Newborns often have erratic breathing, especially when they are asleep, and even awake, this might be alarming to observe for the first time. Of course, there's no doubt that you should keep a close eye on things and always adhere to recommended safe sleep practises. In general, throughout the first week of life, your baby will:

• Show signs of having a genuine, natural smile as early as the first few days of life and definitely by the ten-week mark. It's not the same as the kind of smile you get when you converse or sing to your kid, which is an emotional response. Babies aren't socially competent until they're about one to two months old, when they begin to develop the smile.
• Try to make sure that your arm and leg movements are balanced. Infants as young as a week old should not favour the use of one arm or leg over the other, as this could indicate injury or weakness.
• When lying on their bellies, they should raise their heads for a second. However, keep in mind that newborns have very little control over their own heads and hence must always have their heads supported.
• The distance at which a breastfed infant may momentarily focus on an object is roughly 12 to 15 inches, the same as when an adult looks at their child's face. A baby's vision is also developing at this stage; in the next months, it will be able to see more complex patterns and details. In addition, your infant may start to react to loud noises and begin to stare at and follow things that move towards the centre of his or her face.

First Week Bonding And Communication

Newborns respond to the mother's voice, touch, sight, and smell. Your newborn will feel comfortable and secure with you and learn valuable information about his or her place in the world through your gentle touch, snuggling, smiling, and gazing. This first week is also a great time to begin recognising your baby's unique infant cues and body language.

Providing consistent, loving care for your newborn is essential to fostering attachment and bonding. The growth of your child's brain is just one of many aspects that benefits from parental affection and bonding. Our exclusive range of baby nursery products will help create the perfect baby nursery for your baby.

Early Health Issues

Weight Reduction

For the first week following delivery, it is typical for neonates to experience a loss of birth weight. This is due to their body losing too much fluid, which causes this effect. They shouldn't lose more than 10% of their birth weight. After about a week or so, most infants have returned to their original weight. Your newborn may need to be readmitted to the hospital if they've lost too much weight, and they won't be discharged until they're gaining weight normally.

Sticky Feelings

In the first few weeks of life, it is usual for a newborn's eyes to get sticky or discharge. Congestion of the tear ducts is the most typical reason for this. In most cases, this problem resolves itself, but if it persists, try giving your eyes a light massage and cleaning. If you notice that your infant has red, sticky eyes, you should have your doctor or a child and family health nurse take a look.

Rashes

Babies are susceptible to a wide variety of rashes, most of which are mild. If your infant has a rash, though, you should have your doctor or a child and family health nurse take a look. Cradle cap, nappy rash, heat rash, eczema, milia, and dry skin are all examples of common rashes.

In What Circumstances Worrying Is Appropriate

Although infants 1 week old will sleep a lot, you should talk to your baby's doctor if they don't wake up for feedings or if they seem considerably less active than usual. Moreover, if you get other symptoms like skin discoloration or a high temperature, it's important to get medical help right once. In the event that your baby, who is just a week old, develops a fever, you should not wait to take him or her to the doctor or the emergency room because this could be an indication of a life-threatening infection.

Seek medical attention if you notice anything unusual about your newborn child. Get in touch with either your family doctor or the child and family health nurse at the facility where your kid was delivered. Newborns should get medical attention right away:

• isn't gaining weight, like in the case where your baby is only eating half as much or as often as they should in a 24-hour period, or when they throw up more than half of three consecutive meals
• has fewer than six to eight wet diapers a day
• appears cranky, listless, or exhausted; has trouble waking up for feedings
• has a very light complexion, almost yellow.

Infant Crying Within The First Week Of Life

Sometimes infants cry because they are:

• are starving
• have a soiled or wet diaper
• temperature discomfort
• They want comfort from being near you.

If your infant is fussy, try feeding them, changing their diaper, holding them close, rocking them, speaking or singing to them in a soft, soothing voice, or giving them a warm, relaxing bath. And if your newborn is crying a lot, keep in mind that this is a natural part of their development. You can make your infant feel more at ease by soothing them.

When It's Time To Get Some Help If You Can't Stop Weeping

Talk to your doctor or a child and family health nurse if you feel like your newborn is crying too much or if you're having problems handling the situation. In particular, if you're a newborn, you should visit a doctor:

• has a meow that sounds like a kitten
• is making a feeble noise, perhaps a moan
• cries for extended lengths of time

Checkups For Babies, After The First Week

Two, four, and eight weeks after birth are prime times for free checkups at your local early care centre. Checkups are a great chance to discuss any concerns you have, from diaper rash to excessive crying to nausea. To ensure that you ask the nurse all you want to know during your checkups, consider writing down your questions in advance.

How Is The First Week With A Newborn?

There's nothing more exciting and terrifying than bringing home a newborn. We assure you, however, that you will prevail. Follow our advice so you can prepare for the early days of parenthood and avoid being caught off guard by the inevitable aches, fatigue, and tears.

1st Day: After Delivery, Your Body Is Shock.

Most first-time mothers are so preoccupied with the birth that they don't give much thought to the difficulties they'll face in the postpartum period. It's only natural to feel a lot of pain after giving birth vaginally to a baby the size of a Virginia ham. Within the first 24 hours after getting stitches, the region should be iced to reduce swelling and pain. After that, frequent warm baths can help soften the stitches and keep the wound from closing up.

And the good news is? Because of the high blood volume in the vagina, the area heals swiftly – in a matter of days. Pain medication, either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed, can ease the discomfort and tension at the incision site after a caesarean delivery.

If you want to speed up your recovery, it's crucial that you take your medication as prescribed throughout the first week. It will take four to six weeks for your C-section incision to heal completely, so be on the lookout for infection during this time. Call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: bleeding, odour, burning, redness, or a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

No matter how you give birth, you'll experience intense discomfort as your uterus contracts back to its size before you were pregnant. If you're experiencing discomfort when nursing, it's likely to be at its worst when your baby latches on and your body begins generating oxytocin, the hormone that causes contractions. And lochia, a vaginal discharge consisting of blood, mucus, and fragments of placental tissue, affects every woman for a few weeks after giving birth. It's important to stock up on sanitary napkins and avoid using tampons for at least six weeks because of the bacteria they can spread.

The question is, shall we continue? Urinary tract infections (UTIs), haemorrhoids, and incontinence are all possible complications. Kegel exercises (contracting the vaginal muscles as though to obstruct the flow of pee) performed on a regular basis can be helpful in warding off incontinence. Moving around, drinking lots of water, and using a stool softener can help with haemorrhoids. Any discomfort or soreness during urination, as well as a sudden increase in temperature, should be reported to your doctor as possible signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI).

2nd Day: Baby Jaundice Is Possible.

This illness, which manifests when bilirubin levels in a newborn's bloodstream rise too high, is difficult to deal with because it typically manifests between the third and fifth day of life, when you are probably already at home with your infant. The unmistakable yellowing usually manifests itself first on the head and then travels down the body.

About 60% of newborns will show signs of jaundice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jaundice usually goes away on its own, but paediatricians take it seriously because it might cause brain damage if not addressed.

Jaundice is a common problem in newborns, and while it can be distressing for parents, it is easily treatable if the baby's level of jaundice is outside the normal range. Some paediatricians recommend bringing your infant in for a checkup two days after they come home from the hospital to make sure they don't develop jaundice.

In the event that you notice any yellowing on your infant's body, including the legs, arms, tummy, or the whites of his eyes, you should immediately contact your paediatrician. Having your infant become cranky, difficult to wake up, or not eating properly after a diagnosis of jaundice should prompt a visit to the doctor.

3rd Day: Feeding Is Hardest Ever.

Mothers of older children may wax lyrical about how much they "loved, loved" nursing their babies, but they are usually not referring to the first week. When nursing, it's important to take things slowly. What you want to see right now is your baby's lips flipped out, her chin close to your breast, and her jaw and ear moving slightly in a rhythmic pattern while she sucks. During the first week or two of breastfeeding, it is normal for the baby to experience some tingling or irritation at latch-on; nevertheless, the nursing session should not harm. (It is common for women to experience mild uterine discomfort in the first several days.)

Consult your physician and think about working with a lactation consultant if you're experiencing pain during breastfeeding or are worried about your baby's intake. Remember that some women may not start producing milk for up to five days after giving birth, and that the average time is closer to 36 hours. Reasons for this include gestational diabetes, a difficult birth experience, or the need for a caesarean section.

In the meantime, keep nursing to encourage milk production. Your body is preparing for your baby to start sucking at the breast very soon. If it doesn't work, you can stimulate milk production by acting like a baby and pumping.

Do you plan to use baby formula? Ask your child's doctor for a recommendation on a brand to help narrow down the options. You should be aware that there are three primary types of formulas: powders, which must be reconstituted with water; concentrates, which are already in liquid form but must be diluted with water; and ready-to-use liquids, which may be poured straight into bottles. It's possible that your choice will have to take into account both your financial constraints and your baby's preferences. It is important to keep note of when you feed your baby, whether by breast or bottle, so that you can ensure that he or she is getting enough to eat.

4th Day: Expect Some Tears.

Since more than a third of all births are now C-sections, they hoped to shock a sizable percentage of women into realising how they missed out on a meaningful life event by not being there for their child's delivery. Also, your hormones are all over the place in those initial weeks, regardless of how you provided. You may experience new heights of joy when you bond with your newborn, but you also may fall to new depths of despair. Boobies pain, bottom hurts, you're not sleeping, and there might not be much aid available. Depression after giving birth amplifies all of that pressure.

A strong bond isn't always formed between people. At first, it's normal to feel distant from your newborn and apprehensive about how to care for him or her. Dr. Mittal recommends taking breaks throughout the day to bond with your baby while performing duties like changing and feeding. Attend to him when he is awake. Observe your baby's reaction to being held in various postures. Make eye contact, sing to him, and try to mimic his voice.

Postpartum depression may be present if you experience persistent emotions of apathy, anxiety, or a deepening of your grief, especially if you start to entertain suicidal thoughts. If you need immediate assistance, it's best to speak with your gynaecologist.

5th Day: Realise Sleep Deprivation.

The initial months are the easiest since the excitement of having a baby is so overwhelming. Then the bottom falls out, and you realise this isn't a passing storm. The care of a newborn baby necessitates frequent nighttime awakenings for feedings, typically every two or three hours. If you're trying to catch up on sleep while caring for a newborn, you might try sleeping when your baby does.

If you and your spouse are both formula-feeding late at night, take turns giving the baby its bottle so that you may both get some rest. Once you and your baby have mastered breastfeeding and you're ready to pump and give your baby a bottle, you can start the same switch-off technique. (Consult your physician or lactation consultant beforehand, but typically this is okay after about a month.)

Your partner taking over the other "fun" of the middle of the night like swaddling, burping, changing filthy pyjamas,and diapering can be a game changer in terms of sleep. Babies typically sleep for 16-18 hours a day, though not at "normal" hours. If he sleeps for longer than four hours at a time throughout the day, you should wake him up to feed him so that he continues to acquire weight. Nighttime diaper changes and feedings shouldn't fully wake him up, so keep the lights low. If your baby is fussy after being fed but before falling asleep, try rocking him, giving him a pacifier, or swaddling him to calm him down. And despite how tempting it may seem, refrain from sleeping with your newborn.

6th Day: Maintain The Health Of Her Skin.

That initial photo of them in the tub is priceless, we all know it. You shouldn't suddle her the first week. The vernix, a white waxy substance that coats your unborn kid and which she will be coated with upon birth, has been shown in studies to help reduce the skin's pH level and act as a barrier against irritation.

The microbiome, a layer of beneficial bacteria that helps maintain good skin, is also influenced by this. (The microbial makeup of infants varies from one to the next. Bacterial composition differs depending on a number of factors, including the mode of delivery (natural or C-section), whether or not you plan to nurse, and where you live. Using a cleanser on your newborn can interfere with her developing microbiota, which could leave her more vulnerable to skin problems like eczema in the future.

Since babies go through between eight to twelve diapers each day on average, it stands to reason that you'll need to do some cleaning. In the first few weeks of life, it is common for breastfed infants to have a bowel movement after every meal, while formula-fed infants may have three or four bowel movements each day.

It's fine to give your baby an extra thorough bath if her diaper is particularly filthy, as water alone won't completely remove faeces and urine. You should clean her dirty skin with a pH-balanced cleanser that is kind to the microbiome by using a soft cloth and a gentle cleanser. After the first week, continuing to use this product while bathing could be beneficial. Choose diapers with a high absorption rate and wipes with no added aroma (either synthetic or organic). The irritation can be treated with ordinary petroleum jelly or a zinc oxide paste.

7th Day: Accept Your New Normal.

It's likely that you won't have the same amount of stamina for socialising as you did before the kid was born, so you and your partner should discuss who can be excused from visiting. Some folks should be made to wait. Acknowledge the willingness of your friends to lend a hand in various ways by accepting their handmade soups, allowing them to walk the dog, and accepting their grocery deliveries. Then they can have a look at your newborn without you worrying. My Baby Nursery is your one-stop baby product store.

Keep your expectations in check. Every day, you may challenge yourself to accomplish something that isn't baby-related, like washing a load of clothes or writing two thank-you cards. Put your fussy infant in a swing or a baby carrier and get things done without disturbing him. Ignore the expectation that your home be spotless if you simply cannot meet it.

Conclusion

A newborn's first week of life is spent learning how to function in their brand-new environment. Please take time to enjoy cuddling up with your newborn. A baby's transition to the outside world is facilitated by your warmth, love, security, attention, and cuddling. Your newborn's eyelid swelling will disappear in a matter of days. Baby's face and head bruises from delivery trauma will fade with time.

If the skin around the umbilical cord is red or sticky, you should contact your midwife, doctor, or child and family health nurse. In the first few days of life, newborns typically need to eat every two to four hours. Maintaining a regular routine of eating and sleeping will likely take some time. During the first week of pregnancy, your baby's breathing may become irregular and full of apnea episodes. Babies start smiling within the first week of life, and almost always by week ten.

Infants lack social maturity until roughly the second month of life. Even at a week old, babies shouldn't favour one arm or leg over the other. In the first few days of life, it is normal for a newborn's eyes to get sticky or discharge. The most common cause of this is blockage of the tear ducts. However, if your baby gets a rash, you should have a doctor or a child and family health nurse take a look.

Bringing a new baby into your home is both the most exciting and scariest thing you will ever do. Your baby will appreciate your efforts to calm them. Pain is normal after delivering birth vaginally. If you heed our guidance, you'll be better prepared to handle the challenges of parenthood.

Content Summary

1. The day of your child's birth has finally come!
2. After nine long months of wondering what you'll name your baby and hoping for the best, you finally get to hug that adorable bundle of joy.
3. Your kid may have more wrinkles and a more pronounced conehead than you expected after spending so long in your constricted and moist uterus and then trying to squeeze through the small birth canal.
4. Spend time with your new addition to the family and start bonding straight away.
5. Keep in mind that feelings of love and connection are not instantaneous, but rather evolve over the period of weeks or months.
6. A newborn's first week of life is spent learning how to function in their brand-new environment.
7. Your kid will have an easier time adjusting to life outside with the support of your warmth, love, security, attention, cuddles, and smiles.
8. Your baby will undergo noticeable changes in appearance throughout the first week.
9. The puffiness around your newborn's eyes will disappear in a matter of days.
10. Birth trauma, such as that which may occur during a caesarian section, might cause bruising on your baby's face or head, but these bruises will go away in due time.
11. Bruises increase the risk of newborn jaundice in infants.
12. Yellowing skin on a newborn's face is a sign of jaundice, so if you're worried about your baby, you should talk to your child's nurse, midwife, or doctor.
13. The umbilical chord of your newborn will dry, turn black, and fall off after around ten days.
14. Keep the umbilical cord clean and dry at all times.
15. If the skin around the umbilical cord is red or sticky, you should contact your midwife, doctor, or child and family health nurse.
16. You should expect your newborn to either be born with a birthmark or to develop one over time.
17. However, it is best to have a doctor or a child and family health nurse have a look at your newborn's birthmark if you have any concerns about it or if it changes.
18. You should expect your newborn to sleep for long stretches at first, waking up just to eat every few hours.
19. Newborns do not fit the description of "sleep through the night."
20. Newborns typically wake up when it's time to eat.
21. Maintaining a regular routine of eating and sleeping will likely take some time.
22. The first few weeks are the most critical, so make sure you take care of yourself.
23. In this first week of life, your child is preparing for a future outside the womb.
24. Spend as much time as possible this week connecting with your baby skin to skin; your newborn is beginning to use his or her sense of scent and touch.
26. Consistent breathing is a major developmental step for newborns.
27. During the first week of pregnancy, your baby's breathing may become irregular and full of apnea episodes.
28. By the time your baby is ten weeks old, you will have seen traces of a true, natural smile beginning as early as the first few days of life.
29. Make an effort to strike a balance between your arm and leg motions.
30. Learn to read your baby's distinct infant cues and body language as early as the first week.
31. Attachment and bonding in a baby are fostered by parents' continuous, loving care.
32. Create a cosy, comfortable space for your newborn with our curated selection of premium baby nursery essentials.
33. Emerging Health Problems Loss of Body Fat It is common for newborns to lose some of their birth weight in the first week after birth.
34. They must not lose more than 10% of their initial weight.
35. If your newborn has lost too much weight, they will need to be readmitted to the hospital, and they won't be able to go home until they start gaining weight properly.
36. Tacky Emotions During a newborn's first few weeks of life, it is common for the infant's eyes to get sticky or discharge.
37. The most common cause of this is blockage of the tear ducts.
38. A doctor or a child and family health nurse should examine a newborn with red, sticky eyes.
39. If you detect anything out of the ordinary with your infant, it is important to get medical help right once.
40. Remember that your newborn's weeping fits within a normal pattern of expression.
41. Your baby will appreciate your efforts to calm them.
42. When Crying Becomes Too Much and Help Is Needed If you are concerned that your infant is crying too much, or if you are having trouble coping with the situation, it is important to discuss your concerns with your doctor or a child and family health nurse.
43. Adhere to our guidance, and you won't be unprepared for the aches, weariness, and tears that accompany the early days of fatherhood.
44. Having a baby the size of a Virginia ham means you're going to endure some discomfort after giving birth vaginally.
45. Applying ice to the area in the first 24 hours after obtaining stitches might help minimise swelling and discomfort.