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Newborn Tips

  • Follow Their Cues - Pay attention to your baby's signals for feeding, sleep, and comfort to understand their needs better.
  • Skin-to-Skin - Spend time holding your baby skin-to-skin to strengthen your bond and help regulate their temperature.
  • Gentle Tummy Time - Encourage tummy time when your baby is awake to help strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles.
  • Ask for Help - Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, health visitors, or support groups if you have any concerns or need advice.
  • Look After Yourself - Ensure you are taking care of your own physical and mental health, as a well-rested and healthy parent is the best thing for your newborn.

Adjusting to your daily life together.

Welcoming your newborn into the world is an exciting experience one, but certainly a transformative one! It can also be overwhelming as you adjust to a new normal.

It doesn't always come easily, but establishing a routine together can provide much-needed structure for both you and your baby. While every family is different, having some sort of flexible routine can help manage the demands of newborn life, ensuring that both parents and baby get the rest and nourishment they need. Head here for a typical day in the life with a newborn.

Newborns sleep a lot! Typically around 16 to 18 hours a day, but this sleep is often broken into short periods. It's important to understand that each baby is different, and their sleep patterns can vary widely. During the first few weeks, focus on creating a calm and soothing sleep environment. Following the NHS guidelines, place your baby on their back to sleep, and keep the moses basket or sleep area free of loose bedding and toys. Head here for more safe sleep guidance.

Establishing a bedtime routine, such as a bath followed by a quiet feeding, can help signal to your baby that it's time to sleep. But, don't be hard on yourself if it feel like your little one isn't sleeping in any sort of routine, isn't sleeping for long stretches, or just isn't sleeping! The first few weeks are difficult, but remember that it won't always be this way.

Read More: Follow These Tips to Handle Visitors After Giving Birth.

Taking your newborn out of the house for the first time can be a daunting prospect! It's normal to feel nervous or apprehensive about this. But, in terms of when you can take them out, it's really up to you. According to the NHS, you can take your baby out whenever you feel ready, even if it's just for a walk around the block.

The fresh air and change of scenery can be amazing for both you and your baby. However, it's important to ensure that your baby is dressed appropriately for the weather and it can be best to avoid crowded places during the early weeks to minimise exposure to germs. Keeping these outings short and stress-free will help build your confidence and establish a routine that includes some outdoor time for you and your little one.

Read More: Should I Let Family and Friends Kiss My Newborn?

Newborns are naturally curious and start learning about their environment right away! While they may not actively play with toys in the traditional sense yet, age-appropriate toys can stimulate their senses and support their development. The NHS recommends simple, soft toys with high-contrast colours to help with visual development.

Soft rattles, musical toys, and textured toys can engage your baby's sense of hearing and touch. Always ensure that any toy you introduce is safe and suitable for newborns, free from small parts or sharp edges, and regularly check for wear and tear. Head here for your ultimate guide to tummy time.

Newborns typically have small stomachs and high metabolic needs, so they require frequent feedings, usually every 2-3 hours, including during the night. This means that newborns may need to be fed 8-12 times in a 24-hour period. As they grow, their stomach capacity increases, and they can go longer between feedings, gradually moving towards a more predictable feeding schedule.

The amount of milk a newborn needs varies depending on their age, weight, and individual appetite. In the first few days, newborns consume small amounts, often around 1-2 ounces per feeding. By the end of the first week, this amount typically increases to about 2-3 ounces per feeding. As they grow, the quantity per feeding will increase, and the frequency may decrease as they can consume more milk at each feeding. Monitoring your baby's growth and weight gain during pediatrician visits will help ensure they are getting enough nutrition. It's also important to pay attention to hunger cues and ensure the baby is feeding effectively, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, to support their health and development.

Remember that every baby is different. Speak to your midwife or health visitor if you have any concerns about breadtfeeding or your newborn's feeding habits.

Read More: All Things Breastfeeding

What to expect with your little one.

The first few weeks with your newborn can be a whirlwind. As you and your bundle of joy get to know each other, it's normal to be concerned about any challenges you might face. Understanding the common newborn challenges to look out for and knowing when to seek help can make this transition smoother.

One of the most common challenges for new parents is getting their newborn to sleep. It’s important to remember that it is normal for newborns to wake frequently for night feeds, as their tiny stomachs require regular feeding! 

However, if your little one seems unusually fussy or has difficulty settling, it might be helpful to review their sleep environment and routine. The NHS suggests maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and ensuring that the baby’s sleeping area is quiet, dark, and cool. If you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep patterns, speaking to your health visitor can be a great help. They speak to new parents like you every day, and know how to give tailored advice based on your unique situation.

Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially if your newborn has trouble latching on properly. It’s super common for new mums to experience this in the early weeks. A poor latch can lead to discomfort for both you and your baby, and it’s a common issue in the early days. 

The NHS states that ensuring your baby is positioned correctly is key to successful breastfeeding. Your baby’s mouth should cover more of the areola below the nipple than above it, and their chin should touch your breast. If you’re experiencing ongoing difficulties, seeking support from a lactation consultant or your health visitor can be invaluable. They can provide hands-on help and techniques to improve your baby’s latch.         

Colic is common in babies, affecting 1 in 5 babies, regardless of whether they're breast or formula-fed. The exact cause of colic is unknown, but it’s believed to be related to digestive issues or overstimulation. 

It’s characterised by prolonged periods of crying in an otherwise healthy baby, and it can be incredibly stressful for parents. Seeing your little one in such distress and feeling like you’ve done everything you can think of to make things better can be upsetting. 

The NHS recommends several strategies to try and soothe a colicky baby, including burping them, gentle tummy massages or using white noise to create a calming environment. If your baby’s crying seems excessive or you’re worried about their health, it’s important to consult your GP to rule out other potential causes.         

Managing newborn feeding challenges can be a critical aspect of ensuring both you and your baby have a positive feeding experience. One challenge may be related to milk supply, whether too much or too little.

If you’re breastfeeding and concerned about low milk supply, ensure you’re feeding frequently and effectively, and consider expressing milk to stimulate production. For formula-feeding parents, managing the right amount and type of formula can be challenging, especially if the baby has specific dietary needs or sensitivities. Monitoring your baby’s reaction to different formulas and speaking to your GP or health visitor.

Feeding challenges can also include clogged milk ducts, mastitis, and managing reflux or colic, which can cause discomfort during and after feedings. For reflux, feeding smaller amounts more frequently and keeping the baby upright after feeds may help reduce symptoms. 

Colic can be particularly stressful, but maintaining a soothing feeding environment and experimenting with different feeding techniques or types of bottles may provide relief. Overall, patience and seeking professional advice when needed are key to overcoming these challenges. You may hit a few bumps in the road, but implementing these suggestions can make feeding time with your baby something you both look forward to!         

Read More: Colic 101

Know what to look out for.

Watching your newborn reach developmental milestones and start hitting their 'firsts' is an exciting part of being a new parent. Each baby progresses at their own pace, but understanding these milestones can help you support their growth and identify any potential concerns early on.

It's good to know about key developmental milestones in the early weeks, including your baby's vision and hearing abilities, as well as the important health appointments that will help monitor their progress.

Read More: Development & Playtime

Newborns have limited eyesight at birth, but they are capable of seeing their parents’ faces, especially during close interactions. Initially, babies can see objects and people best at a distance of 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches), which is perfect for gazing up at you during feeding sessions! According to the NHS, newborns are also drawn to high-contrast patterns and faces. That’s why you’ll see lots of black and white contrast toys for newborns.

Over the first few weeks, their visual acuity will gradually improve. Engaging in face-to-face time with your baby, using high-contrast toys, and ensuring they get enough light exposure can support their visual development.         

Hearing is well-developed at birth, and newborns can recognise and respond to familiar voices, especially their parents. They’ve spent nine months listening to your voice, so don’t think they don’t know you! Right from the start, your baby will be soothed by the sound of your voice and may even turn their head towards you when you speak. 

The NHS highlights the importance of talking, singing, and reading to your baby from birth to stimulate their auditory development and bonding. Newborn hearing screenings, usually performed before leaving the hospital or within the first few weeks, help ensure your baby’s hearing is normal and identify any potential issues early on.         

Regular health check-ups are crucial in the early weeks to monitor your newborn’s growth and development. It might feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s important that there are plenty of opportunities to spot potential concerns early on. 

Your baby will have several key appointments, starting with the newborn physical examination within 72 hours of birth. This is followed by a heel-prick test (newborn blood spot screening) at around five days old to check for specific health conditions. At six to eight weeks, your baby will have a comprehensive health review with your GP, which includes checking their weight, length, head circumference, and development. 

Head here for more on the newborn checkups to expect.

These appointments are also opportunity to discuss any concerns. Don’t feel embarrassed, there is no question that is too big or too small. This is your chance to get some reassurance and advice on anything you might be finding challenging, as well as to consider how you are recovering both physically and mentally after birth.

Read More: Am I suffering From Birth Trauma

Monitoring your baby's growth and development is one of the most important aspects of early parenting. From tracking physical changes like weight, length, and head circumference to observing developmental milestones such as motor skills and social interactions, these indicators help you ensure your baby is growing as expected. Your pediatrician will provide growth charts and regular assessments to guide you in understanding your baby's progress. While every baby develops at their own pace, these benchmarks help identify areas where your little one may need extra support.

In the early weeks, your baby will begin gain weight, after a potential initial drop, averaging about 25 grams a day. They'll also begin to recognise familiar voices and smells and might even mimic your facial expressions. At one week old, their vision will allow them to see roughly 25 cm in front of them, and they'll develop reflexes like gripping your finger or rooting for food. By four weeks, they may find their own hands and feet, respond to loud noises, and start lifting their head during tummy time. Encouraging these early skills through interaction and support is crucial to your baby's development.

Milestones like these are divided into social, communication, cognitive, and physical development categories. Keep in mind that these milestones are just guides - every baby reaches them at their own pace, and it's perfectly normal for some to develop faster in certain areas than others. Growth and development can vary widely from baby to baby, so try not to worry if your little one takes a bit longer to master certain skills. Trust your instincts and talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns.

Read More: Baby Development By Month

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Lil-Lets Maternity Pads
£6.57
Tommee Tippee Baby Grooming Kit
£24.99
Lupantte 7 in 1 Baby Play Mat
£49.29

The information on the Your Baby Club website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always discuss any health concerns with a qualified healthcare provider and carefully review all guidance that comes with any medications or supplements before taking.