Congratulations on the arrival of your adorable little newbie! We know this can be an overwhelming time, but fret not as we’ve got you covered with all that you need to know about what to expect from your newborn in their first month.
Sleeping Schedule
Your baby must sleep like a log… Newborns typically sleep for around 16 – 17 hours per day, waking up every few hours to feed or have their diapers changed. They’re notoriously unpredictable at this age and could stay awake for more extended periods during the night or graze through meals instead of finishing them off completely.
Get use to it: It is essential that parents come terms with having broken sleep patterns since they won't last forever. Try taking turns when feeding so each parent gets some uninterrupted shuteye while breastfeeding mothers should avoid sitting upright for long periods.
| Hours Of Sleep Required | Daytime Napping Hours |
|---|---|
| 16-17hours | Approx half the time |
Feeding Time
Feed me Seymour! Make sure breastfed babies are fed frequently (at least eight times daily) during the early days as frequent feeds help increase milk supply and prevents engorgement which makes things tender, TO say softly! Bottle-fed infants would need four ounces of formula every three-to-four hour-ish. Remember - they're gonna cry alot!
Watch Their Weight: Between losing weight through passing stools(eww) during birth then regained over first week after birth - keeping tabs is important & will ensure correct feeding amounts/drinking frequency i.e., roughly two-and-a-half ounces per pound body weight per day(i.e.,10 pounds = 82=16 oz.)
Crying Game
While tears may flow liberally out of these teeny-tiny humans eyes without reason from time to time, being clued up on the reasons behind each cry can be reassuring. From wanting food or a new diaper to temperature fluctuations or they just friggin' feel like it!
Learn The Different Cries: High-pitched whimpers usually indicate hunger, huh? whereas lower cries suggest discomfort & pain - good luck deciphering those ones
| Cry Patterns & Possible Reasons |
|---|
| Hunger |
| Discomfort/Pain |
| Want Some Lovin' i.e., Attention Seeker! |
Diaper Drama
We all poohoo but not quite as frequently as newborns! Changing them repeatedly while monitoring pee and - of course - poo levels helps keep infections at bay.
Quantity Control: While you might experience fewer dirty diapers with formula-fed babies (2-3x per day) compared with breastfed infants(6+ daily), always check for any signs of discomfort even if it's been awhile since their last… emm, expulsion.
Self Grooming
For the first month after delivery, pint-sized soldiers aren’t ready for prime-time bathing. Instead, use warm water and cotton balls/q-tips around the face/neck/hands/bottom where dirt collects easily.
Avoid Bath Time For Awhile: Experts recommend waiting until your baby has shed his/her umbilical cord stump before introducing them into routine baths. Until then avoid water submerging sessions unless personally done by midwife/nurse whilst hospitalised. A hairbrush may come in handy because seriously who doesn't love nice-smelling fuzzy heads!!
Bonding Period
Rusin’ about what’s shaking inside that tiny headfuzz isn’t good idea & parents are encouraged to indulge in some quality one-on-one time Snuggles/Cuddle/Hugs/Kisses ---wait should we do this instead ? ----> ????????????????????
Bonding is Essential: Time spent together strengthens the bond between parent and child so get cozy, share some soothing vibes, stroking baby’s feet or even use Affection Signs such AS cuddles/kisses/ rubs their belly /playing games will make a whole lotta' difference.
Baby Blues
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects many new moms. It can happen anytime within the first year after delivery & symptoms vary from tears flowin…lack of interest in their babies/families/a feeling like every day struggles to cope & should never be taken lightly.
Signs Of PPD: Lack of sleep/eating; isolated behaviour/from social activities/baby does not establish yours as primary caregiver-could indicate you falling into a depressed state-keep track/talk with another adult about concerns.
Coping Mechanisms
The key for sanity maintenance is to recognize when you’re stressed out & take steps towards relieving that tension through healthy coping mechanisms. Whether it’s taking walks around your neighborhood/swearing at traffic at back of window/blasting Metallica on your stereo speaker - it's all good!
Sometimes what we read online purportedly serious and scientific could actually help us unwind(heh). Check out any interesting Yoga exercises/Tai Chi /Meditation!!! Let the relaxation begin!!
Coping Techniques: Yoga/Meditation/Loud music m/
We understand being responsible for a tiny human comes with its own bag o’butterflies but hey nobodyever said this would easy. So eat healthily/sleep well/bond/Laugh lots ...then Repeat!
Hope our handy guide helped guide uh through Month1 scot-free---Good luck/godspeed parents/caregivers!