Week 1 with Your Newborn

Congratulations! You’ve just brought a tiny human into the world. Whether you had a smooth delivery or an unexpected journey, the first week with your newborn is a whirlwind of emotions, questions, and so many diapers.

Take a deep breath—you don’t need to have it all figured out. This week is about healing, bonding, and simply finding your rhythm together.

What’s Going On with Your Baby in Week 1?

Your little one just transitioned from the cozy, quiet womb to the big, bright, noisy world. Here’s what’s normal right now:

• They’ll sleep… a lot. Usually 16–18 hours a day, but in unpredictable stretches.

• Feeding feels constant. Newborn stomachs are tiny, so they’ll want to eat every 2–3 hours.

• They lose a little weight. It’s normal for babies to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first few days.

• They’ll sound… snorty. Little sneezes, hiccups, and squeaks are common. Their tiny airways are still adjusting.

And most importantly—your baby just wants you. They don’t need fancy toys or routines yet; your voice, touch, and smell are their entire world.

Breastfeeding (or Bottle Feeding) in Week 1

This week can feel like a breastfeeding bootcamp. Here’s what you might face:

• Latch struggles: Many babies take a few days to figure it out. It doesn’t mean you’re failing—reach out for help if it hurts.

• Cluster feeding: Some evenings, it’ll feel like your baby wants to nurse non-stop. It’s their way of telling your body to make more milk.

• Colostrum magic: Those tiny drops of “liquid gold” are packed with everything your baby needs in these first days.

And if you’re formula-feeding? That’s okay too. A fed baby and a rested parent are what matter most.

Sleep (Yours and Theirs)

You’ve probably heard the phrase “sleep when the baby sleeps.” Sounds nice, right? In reality, it’s hard when your body aches, visitors keep coming, or you just want five minutes to shower.

But here’s the truth: newborn sleep is unpredictable. One night they’ll give you a glorious 3-hour stretch, and the next they’ll be up every 45 minutes. This is normal. Their tiny circadian rhythm hasn’t developed yet.

Quick survival tips:

• Keep nighttime feedings calm and dimly lit.

• Ask your partner or a friend to hold the baby so you can nap.

• Don’t worry about “creating bad habits”—you’re just surviving this week.

Your Body and Emotions

Let’s talk about you. You just did something incredible, and your body is healing. You might experience:

• Soreness, bleeding, and exhaustion.

• Milk coming in around Day 3–4, which can feel like you suddenly grew two heavy rocks.

• Baby blues—emotional ups and downs are very common in this hormonal rollercoaster.

Be gentle with yourself. Eat, drink water, rest when you can, and ask for help. You are not supposed to “bounce back” in a week.

When Should You Worry?

Most things are normal, even if they feel scary. But call your pediatrician if your baby:

• Has a fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher)

• Isn’t feeding well or has fewer than 3–4 wet diapers a day by Day 4

• Looks unusually yellow (jaundice can happen but may need checking)

And call your doctor if you have fever, severe pain, or overwhelming sadness. You’re healing too.

A Little Reminder

This week isn’t about getting everything “right.” It’s about learning each other. You’ll make mistakes, you’ll cry, you’ll laugh, and you’ll look at your baby and think, Wow, I can’t believe they’re really mine.

So take it one feeding, one diaper, one cuddle at a time.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. We’ve all googled “is this normal?” at 2 a.m. That’s exactly why we’re here—to remind you that you’re doing better than you think.