Your First Weeks Home with Baby: A Practical, Gentle Guide for New Parents
Bringing your new baby home is such a beautiful, life-changing moment — and let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, and full of questions. You're not alone. Every new parent wonders: Is this normal? Am I doing this right? Should I call the doctor? These first few weeks can feel tender and overwhelming as you adjust to feeding, sleeping (or not sleeping), and caring for this brand new little person.
Take a deep breath. You are doing beautifully. This guide is here to gently walk beside you — offering simple, reassuring information on baby care, common newborn behaviors, when to seek help, and some thoughtful tips for both parents and partners.
What to Expect in the First Few Weeks
1. Feeding Your Baby
Feeding will feel like your baby’s main job — and yours too. Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding, or using a mix, all feeding choices are valid and part of caring for your baby with love.
Expect to feed your baby 8–12 times per day — sometimes more — especially during growth spurts or cluster feeding.
Watch for early hunger signs like rooting, hand sucking, or restlessness — try not to wait until baby is crying.
Wet and dirty diapers are reassuring signs your baby is getting enough — at least 6 wet diapers and 3–4 stools a day by the end of the first week.
Gentle Reminder: It's normal for babies to lose a little weight after birth and regain it by 2 weeks old.
2. Newborn Sleep
Newborns sleep a lot — about 14–17 hours per day, but in short little stretches (2–4 hours at a time).
They may mix up days and nights at first — this will gently sort itself out.
Always place baby to sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface with no loose blankets or pillows.
Your Rest Matters Too: It's okay to nap when baby naps and to accept every offer of help. You are healing and adjusting — give yourself grace.
3. Diapering and Cord Care
Your baby’s diaper output is a helpful guide to feeding success. Expect wet diapers every few hours after day 4–5.
Umbilical cord care is simple: keep it dry and clean — no special products needed. It will fall off naturally in 1–3 weeks.
Mild redness at the base is normal, but watch for swelling, discharge, or a bad smell.
4. Bathing and Skin Care
Newborn skin is delicate and perfect just as it is.
Sponge baths only until the umbilical cord falls off.
Bathing 2–3 times per week is plenty.
Peeling skin, baby acne, or tiny white bumps (milia) are common and will fade with time — no need to scrub or treat.
When to Call the Doctor
You are never "bothering" your baby's doctor — they are there to support you. Call if your baby:
Has a fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
Refuses to feed or feeds very poorly
Has fewer than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours after day 5
Is very hard to wake or seems unusually floppy
Is breathing fast, grunting, or pulling in at the ribs when breathing
Vomits forcefully or green vomit
Has a reddened or draining umbilical cord or circumcision site
Has yellowing of the skin or eyes that worsens (jaundice)
Trust yourself. If something feels "off" — call. You are the expert on your baby.
Normal Newborn Behaviors (That Might Surprise You!)
Hiccups, sneezing, grunting, and startle reflexes are all normal.
Babies may have irregular breathing — fast then slow — when sleeping.
Hands and feet may appear bluish — this is typical and improves with warmth. If you observe bluish color to their bodies or face, call 911!
Baby acne, peeling skin, and milia (tiny white bumps) are harmless and fade on their own.
Tracking Feeds and Diapers
In the early days, keeping track of your baby’s feeds and diaper changes can be a helpful way to make sure they’re eating well and staying hydrated — and to give you peace of mind. It can also be reassuring to have this information handy when you visit your pediatrician or speak with your lactation consultant.
What to watch for:
Feeds: Your baby will usually feed 8–12 times per day. Writing down the time, type of feeding (breast, bottle, pumped milk, or formula), and which breast you started with (if nursing) can help you stay organized — especially when you’re sleep-deprived.
Diapers: Expect at least 6 wet diapers and 3–4 dirty diapers per day by the end of the first week. Diaper tracking can help you feel confident that your baby is getting enough milk and staying well-hydrated.
You don’t have to track forever — just during those early weeks when everything feels new. It’s simply a gentle tool to help you feel more in control.
Need a simple tracker to get started?
Download our free printable Newborn Feeding & Diaper Tracker here to make those first few weeks a little easier.
Partner Tips: How You Can Support the New Parent and Baby
Partners are essential. Your support, presence, and care make all the difference — for baby and the birthing parent.
Learn baby's cues together — feeding signs, sleep needs, comfort tricks.
Offer to help with diaper changes, baths, soothing, and burping — your hands and heart are just as good as anyone’s.
Be the “keeper of the bubble” — gently limit visitors if needed, protect rest time, and make space for quiet bonding.
Support the birthing parent: Bring water, snacks, or remind them to rest; notice when they seem overwhelmed and gently offer breaks.
Watch for signs of postpartum mood struggles — anxiety, sadness, anger, overwhelm — and kindly encourage help if needed.
Remind each other: This is hard. You’re both learning. You’re doing enough.
You are a team. Your steady presence helps your baby feel safe — and helps your partner feel seen and supported.
Tips for Easing the Transition
Skin-to-skin cuddles calm baby and build connection — parents, partners, and siblings can all enjoy this.
Feed on demand — not by the clock — babies often need comfort feeds, not just hunger feeds.
Take care of yourself: eat nourishing food, drink water, and rest whenever you can.
Lower the bar for housework and to-do lists. Rest, feeding, and bonding matter most right now.
A Gentle Closing Thought
The first few weeks are tender, messy, beautiful, exhausting — and full of moments that will stay in your heart forever. They are an adjustment for everyone — baby, parents, and even siblings. Be gentle with yourself.
You don’t have to know everything (no parent does!). Your baby just needs you and they are wonderfully forgiving as we learn. Present, loving, learning as you go.
If you ever feel unsure or need support — reach out to your pediatrician, lactation consultant, postpartum support provider, or a eve trusted friend. You deserve support as much as your baby does. You are not alone in this.
Remember: You’re doing a great job. You are doing enough. You are exactly what your baby needs.
