Newborn Baby: Feeding, Care, Sleep & What to Expect

Can you believe it? Baby’s actually here! 😍

After all those months of dreaming and waiting, you finally have your beautiful baby in your arms, and, well… just wow.

Life probably feels like it’s been turned completely upside down (in the best possible way), and you’re wondering what’s in store for you and your newborn baby over these next few days.

Let’s be real: nothing quite compares you for the rollercoaster that is life with a newborn.

If your head is spinning a bit right now, that’s totally normal — no BS, no unrealistic expectations, just the tried-and-true nitty-gritty of caring for a tiny human.

We’ve got you — but before we get started, can we just say: you’re doing amazingly, mama.

In this article: 📝

How to care for a newborn baby

First up, newborns are weird.

Cute as hell, but weird.

We’re talking cone-shaped heads, random rashes, and a whole lot of bodily fluids.

But don’t stress, mama — it’s all part of the process.

Here are the quick-fire essentials:

😴 Sleep, glorious sleep (for them, not necessarily for you). Newborns are basically professional sleepers, clocking in about 16–17 hours a day. They tend to sleep in stretches of 2–4 hours. Make sure you always put them on their back to sleep to lower the risk of SIDS. Skip the fluffy blankets, bumpers, and stuffed animals in the cot. [1,2,3]

🤱 Feed ’em and clean ’em. Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula-feeding, newborns need to eat every 2–3 hours. They’ll typically drink 16 to 24oz of milk in 24 hours. Burp them frequently. Diaper changes will be your new hobby, about 10 times a day. Keep their little butts clean and dry to avoid diaper rash.

💖 Umbilical cord care is key. Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry until it falls off on its own, which should happen in about a week or so. If you notice any bleeding or discharge, give your doctor a shout. [4]

🧽 Bathing basics. For the first few weeks, stick to sponge baths. Once the umbilical cord stump falls off, you can move on to proper baths in a sink or baby tub. Keep it brief and gentle.

😌 Soothing techniques are your friend. Newborns can be fussy, so find what works: swaddling can make them feel secure; gentle rocking, singing, or white noise can work wonders; skin-to-skin contact is great for bonding and calming.

🧸 Tummy time (even if they hate it). Start practicing tummy time for a minute or two each day. This helps them develop their muscles.

🤲 Hygiene is important for visitors. Anyone who handles your baby should wash their hands first.

💛 Keep an eye out for jaundice. Some babies develop jaundice around day 2 or 3, making their skin and eyes look a bit yellow. It usually clears up on its own, but if it appears in the first 24 hours, get it checked out. [5]

👶 Bond with your baby. Cuddle, stroke and talk to your baby.

🩺 Attend appointments. A health professional will offer your baby an injection of vitamin K within 24 hours of birth. Baby will also be offered a newborn physical examination within 72 hours, but their first vaccinations are offered at 8 weeks. [6]

What is the daily routine of a newborn baby?

Every baby is different — some can sleep longer, others don’t sleep as long, some feed more, others aren’t as hungry.

And they don’t exactly have a concept of time right now.

But, very roughly speaking, here’s what you can expect:

What to do with a newborn baby

Now that your mini-me is earthside, it’s all about building that sweet, sweet bond.

Cuddle up — chest-to-chest if you can — and let that cozy skin-to-skin magic happen.

It’s not just because cuddling a baby is so cute, it’s also great for regulating baby’s temperature, stabilizing their heart rate, and can even boost your milk production. [7]

Chat, sing, or coo away, even if you feel a little ridiculous at first.

They’re soaking in every syllable of that comforting mama voice.

A few minutes of gentle tummy time each day when they’re awake can help them stretch out those teeny muscles and get a new view of their surroundings — just be sure to supervise closely. [8]

This is also a great time to help them explore safe, soft textures like a plush blanket under their hands (and only under close watch!).

Plus, you’ll get to snap those adorable “baby workout” pics.

Through it all, trust your gut — no one knows your newbie better than you do.

If something feels off, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional.

How do I know my newborn baby is happy?

A calm, relaxed posture (tiny fists unclenched, no scrunchy face) can be your babe’s way of saying, “I’m good!”

When they’re alert and seem to be soaking in the world around them, that’s another sign they’re content.

You might also notice subtle cues like gentle cooing or cute little grunts when they’re feeling cozy.

Even if actual smiles take a while to show up, these small signals tell you everything’s A-OK in babyland.

You and your baby are learning each other’s language, and every day, you’re both getting better at it.

How many times a day should a newborn poop?

Welcome to your first diaper changes (not the most glamorous part of motherhood, but a big part of it nonetheless).

Newborn babies will dirty their nappies about 10 times a day.

That works out to around 70 times a week, so get ready for some diaper changing marathons.

Just make sure to keep their nappy area clean and dry to avoid any diaper rash.

Pro tip: keep those wipes warm! Nobody likes a cold surprise during a diaper change.

What should newborn baby poop look like?

In these early days, you’ll meet meconium — your baby’s first poop, which looks like sticky, greenish-black tar.

Don’t worry, this is totally normal! It’s just everything they swallowed while swimming in your womb (like amniotic fluid and skin cells).

After about 24 hours, you’ll notice a transition.

If you’re breastfeeding, expect runny, yellowish, seedy poops (think mustard!), while formula-fed babies tend to have lighter brown, more paste-like stools.

Aim for 6-8 wet diapers daily once your milk comes in — it’s a great sign your little one is getting enough to eat.

And if anything looks off, like green poop, gray poop, black poop, mucus-y poop, or blood in their diaper, reach out to your doc, just in case.

💩 Get the scoop: Baby Poop: Your Expert Guide

How to help a newborn baby poop

At some point, pretty much every newborn has a bit of constipation, which can be uncomfortable for them — and trust us, they’ll let you know if they’re feeling uncomfy.

We’ve been round this block a few times, so we’ve put together all the different tricks and tips you can try to get things going again:

• Tummy time massage: A gentle tummy massage can work wonders. Place your baby on their back and gently massage their tummy in a clockwise direction. This can help to stimulate their bowels.
  
• Bicycle legs: You’ve probably seen the cute/gross videos on TikTok of babies getting their legs peddled then letting out some pretty impressive toots. It’s a nifty trick: gently move your baby’s legs in a cycling motion while they’re on their back. This can help to relieve gas and encourage a bowel movement. [9]
  
• Hydration: Ensure your baby is getting enough to eat, whether it’s breast milk or formula. Proper hydration can help soften stools.
  
• Change positions: Hold them differently, or gently rock them.

If baby’s consistently having trouble pooping or if you notice any signs of discomfort or distress, it’s always best to have a chat with your doctor.

How much should a newborn baby sleep?

Your babe is still adjusting to life outside the womb, so their sleep patterns are all over the place.

For the most part, newborns are champion sleepers, clocking in around 16 to 17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.

But, they don’t do it all in one go; instead, they sleep in stretches of 2–4 hours.

So don’t be surprised if your babe is more active at night and catching those Z’s during the day.

Some newborns may even sleep up to 18-19 hours a day.

Also, it’s best that they don’t sleep for longer than 5 hours at a time in the first 5-6 weeks because they need to wake every couple of hours to eat.

Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2-3 hours, whereas bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3-4 hours.

Just remember that each baby is different, and they’ll develop their own sleep patterns and cycles.

Take advantage of those peaceful moments when baby sleeps, and remember, at 3 AM, there are countless other parents right there with you on Peanut.

😴 Get the full story: How Much Do Newborns Sleep? Your Rough Guide

Should I wake my newborn baby to feed?

Sorry, mama, but yes, you should wake your newborn to feed them.

You’ll likely have to wake your newborn every 2-3 hours to feed until they surpass their birth weight, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks.

After that, it’s okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods of time at night if they’re gaining weight appropriately (about 1 pound per 2 weeks).

💤 When will they sleep? Newborn Sleep Schedule by Week: What to Expect

How much should a newborn baby eat?

Most newborns eat about 16 to 24 oz of milk per day, feeding frequently, typically every 2-3 hours, day and night.

The general guideline is to feed newborns on demand, letting them eat as much as they need.

If they’re putting their fingers in their mouth, or making sucking noises, that’s a good sign they’re in need of a feed.

If you’re breastfeeding, don’t worry if your milk hasn’t fully come in yet — it’s perfectly normal for babies to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in these first days.

Your colostrum (early milk) is liquid gold, packed with everything they need. [10]

When cluster feeding happens (and it will!), remember it’s nature’s way of helping establish your milk supply.

Those frequent feeds are your baby’s way of telling your body exactly what they need.

🍼 Feeling peckish? Newborn Baby Feeding Schedule: How Often is Enough?

How big is a newborn baby stomach?

On day one, a newborn’s stomach is teeny-tiny, holding only about 5 to 7 ml, which is just 1 teaspoon — around the size of a hazelnut.

By day three, it expands a bit to hold about 22 to 27 ml, so that’s 4 or 5 teaspoons, making it roughly the size of a ping pong ball or a walnut.

By the end of the first week, your baby’s stomach can hold 45 to 60 ml, or 1 and 1/2 to 2 ounces, which is about the size of an apricot.

What should a newborn baby be doing?

It’s still very much early days, so don’t expect your newborn to be walking, talking, or even smiling just yet.

But here’s a run-down of roughly what you can expect from your newborn:

• Crying (a lot): Right now, crying is a baby’s only form of communication. At first, all of a baby’s cries sound similar, but parents soon recognize different types of cries for hunger, discomfort, frustration, fatigue and even loneliness.
  
• Responding to stimuli: From the moment babies are born, they respond to the world around them. They should be startling at loud noises, looking at faces, giving attention to voices, eventually turning toward sounds, and showing hints of a smile, especially during sleep. Even shy and sleepy babies take an interest in your voice and face.

And there are a whole lotta reflexes you’ll probably notice, too: [11]

• Root reflex: When the corner of baby’s mouth is stroked or touched, the baby will turn their head and opens his or her mouth to follow and “root” in the direction of the stroking.
  
• Suck reflex: When the roof of baby’s mouth is touched with the breast or bottle nipple, they’ll begin to suck.
  
• Moro reflex: The Moro reflex is often called a startle reflex because it usually occurs when baby’s startled by a loud sound or movement.
  
• Tonic neck reflex: When baby’s head is turned to one side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends up at the elbow.
  
• Grasp reflex: Stroking the palm of baby’s hand causes them to close their fingers in a grasp.
  
• Babinski reflex: When the sole of baby’s foot is firmly stroked, the big toe bends back toward the top of the foot and the other toes fan out.
  
• Step reflex: Baby appears to take steps or dance when held upright with their feet touching a solid surface.

What to expect in your first week postpartum

Your body just did something amazing, and now it needs to heal.

You’re in what’s known as the fourth trimester — a crucial period of recovery and adjustment for both you and your baby.

Here’s what might be going on with you:

• Bleeding is normal — expect bloody vaginal discharge, called lochia, which will be heavy and bright red at first, then lighter in flow and colour, stopping after a few weeks. However, the bleeding should not be enough to saturate a pad in one hour or less. [12]
  
• Cramps are also to be expected as your uterus shrinks back to its usual size.
  
• Soreness can occur in your perineal area, especially after a vaginal birth; it may be swollen and tender for weeks.
  
• Breast engorgement will happen as your breasts produce milk, even if you choose not to breastfeed. Tenderness, nipple soreness, and leakage are normal as your body adjusts to feeding.
  
• Sweating, especially at night, is common due to hormone shifts.
  
• Constipation is also a possibility, potentially worsened by epidural.
  
• A dip in mood is normal around the third or fourth day, known as the “baby blues”. This is due to hormone changes, lack of sleep, and fatigue. If the sadness feels heavy or last for more than a week or so, or you’re worried about your mental health, check in with your doctor — it might be postpartum depression, and help is available.
  
• Emotional changes are to be expected — you may experience many emotions in the first week, particularly as exhaustion sets in.

Accept help, rest when possible, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider with questions about your recovery.

🫶 Look after yourself, mama: Your Ultimate Postpartum Recovery Guide

Do and don’ts for newborn babies

Newborn baby: your questions

Got about a thousand questions swirling in your head?

Don’t worry, mama — we’ve got you covered with all the answers.

How long is the newborn stage?

Technically, a newborn (or neonate, in science-speak), is generally considered to be a baby who is 4 weeks old or younger.

But some experts also consider anything under 12 weeks to be a newborn, too.

What is the hardest week of a newborn?

Honestly, there’s not really an answer to this one — every baby’s different, every mom is different, and every situation is different.

Some parents find the first couple of weeks the hardest due to recovering from the birth, sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and the shock of a new life.

Others find the initial weeks relatively easy because newborns sleep a lot during this period.

Many parents say weeks 3-8 as particularly challenging — by weeks 5-7, babies become more awake and reactive, leading to increased fussiness and crying.

Some babies may experience a peak in crying around weeks 6-8, thanks to the “witching hour”.

Ultimately, we can’t answer this one for you, mama — it’s one of those things you’ll have to find out for yourself.

When does the newborn scrunch stop?

The newborn scrunch, which sees babies curling up like they did in the womb, doesn’t last very long — it usually disappears within a month or two after birth.

Around the 6-week mark, some say babies begin to stretch out more.

But if the scrunch carries on until 4 to 6 months, it’s best to have a word with your doctor.

These days are a beautiful blur of feeding sessions, diaper changes, and getting to know each other.

You’re both learning — be patient with yourself and your baby as you navigate this new journey together.

Everything feels intense and overwhelming right now, and that’s completely normal — every new parent has been exactly where you are.

Your body is recovering from the incredible journey of birth, while you’re learning to care for this tiny human who’s just discovering the world outside the womb.

Right now, it’s all about gentle moments, skin-to-skin cuddles, and taking one feed at a time.

Soon, those first smiles will make all these sleepless nights worth it.

Take a deep breath, mama – you’re doing amazing! 🫶

➡️ Read next: 1 Week Old Baby: Feeding, Care, Sleep & What to Expect