Becoming a parent for the first time is a life-altering experience filled with both immense joy and significant challenges. As new parents navigate the unfamiliar territory of parenthood, they may encounter a range of emotions and practical difficulties. This guide contains important information about the first weeks after giving birth.
We have included information that is good to know when caring for a newborn.
Congratulations, You’re a New Parent!
A newborn has three basic needs: to be fed, loved, and cleaned. Once you get to know your baby, you will find the best ways to meet these needs in your family.
The first few weeks after the baby is born are filled with learning: you get to know your baby, learn how to be a parent, and take care of the baby. Even if the baby is not your first, a new baby will change your family dynamic.
Some parents fall in love with their baby in the delivery room; the newborn immediately feels like their baby. For others, this may take a bit longer, and they start to bond with the baby gradually over the next few days. After a difficult childbirth or if the baby has been taken to the pediatric ward immediately after birth, it may take longer for these feelings to develop. Caring for the baby and holding them close to you will help you bond with each other.
At first, the mother and baby have a very close relationship. Having heard the mother’s voice in the womb, the baby will recognize it. Regardless of whether you are the mother or the other parent, you can talk to the baby and hold them. Skin-to-skin contact relaxes both you and the baby.
The first days with your baby
Start monitoring the signs of successful breastfeeding on the very first day.
The first day
The baby is usually alert immediately after being born and is ready for the first breastfeeding at the age after about one hour. After feeding, the baby falls asleep and may sleep for several hours. Most newborns are calm and satisfied during the first day, especially if they can spend a lot of time skin to skin. Skin-to-skin contact is also a good way to get the baby started with breastfeeding.
During the first 24 hours, the baby should be breastfed at least 6–8 times, at intervals of about 3–4 hours.
The stools (poop) during the first few days are called meconium. This is almost black, viscous, and has no odor. It is a good idea to check the nappy in conjunction with feeding and change it if necessary. You can clean the baby with water. If meconium has dried on to the baby’s skin, you can remove it with oil or basic lotion.
The second day
The baby’s nature usually changes towards the end of the first 24-hour period of its life. The baby is alert and wants to feed very frequently and for long periods at a time. This causes milk production to increase quickly. The baby should be breastfeeding at least eight times in a 24-hour period.
Focus on finding positions that make breastfeeding as relaxing as possible. Remember to rest when the baby is sleeping. Very frequent breastfeeding usually stops after the second day. The mother will start to produce more milk, and the baby’s stomach will get full quicker. At the same time, the baby will start to urinate more, and the stools will become looser and lighter in color. The urine may also contain uric acid crystals, which appear as an orange or reddish color in the nappy. If the baby is sleepy even though it is time to eat, nappy-changing is a good way to wake up the baby. You can also feed the baby milk that you have expressed (pumped) until the baby is alert enough to suck.
When you change a nappy, it is a good idea to check the belly button area. Lift the umbilical stump and clean the base of the belly button carefully with a dry cotton swab.
If your baby is in the pediatric ward
Some newborns require treatment at the pediatric ward or intensive care ward. This can be due to a premature birth, an infectious disease, or the baby having trouble breathing. After giving birth, the mother remains in the maternity ward. However, the parents can spend time with the baby and participate in caring for their baby. A parent can also spend the night in many of the pediatric ward rooms.
Basic baby care includes:
- Closeness and skin contact
- Breastfeeding at least eight times in a 24-hour period
- Nappy changing as required
- Placing the baby to sleep on their back
- Daily checking and cleaning of skin folds behind the ears, in the neck, underarm, and groin areas
- Washing as required, either with a damp washcloth or towel or by giving the baby a bath
- Cleaning the belly button
Breastfeeding
Sometimes breastfeeding is successful right from the start, while other times it requires more support and work.
The nurses at your maternity hospital will help you begin breastfeeding and address any problems. You can also contact the maternity ward for two weeks after childbirth if needed. After your first visit to the child health clinic, you’ll receive assistance from the public health nurse at your clinic.
Baby-Led Breastfeeding
Breastfeed your baby at the earliest signs of hunger. Let the baby eat as often and for as long as they want. During the first days, they may eat every 3-4 hours.
Offering the Breast
Offer your breast when the baby:
- Sticks out their tongue
- Opens and closes their mouth or smacks their lips
- Sucks their fingers
Offer your breast immediately if the baby:
- Turns their head from side to side restlessly
- Pokes with their nose while searching for the nipple
Signs of a Good Latch
- The baby’s mouth is wide open.
- The baby’s chin is touching the mother’s breast.
- The nipple is deep in the baby’s mouth.
- Any pain should only occur briefly at the beginning with the first sucks. It should not last the entire session or worsen during breastfeeding.
- After breastfeeding, the nipple is not flattened and its color has not changed.
What Efficient Sucking Looks Like
- The baby sucks calmly and the suction feels strong.
- The latch does not slip.
- There are no repeated suction sounds (smacking or clicking).
- The baby’s cheeks remain puffed outwards.
- You can notice the baby swallowing milk.
- Once your milk comes in, the baby takes a small break between a suck and a swallow when their mouth is full of milk.
A Good Breastfeeding Position
For the baby:
- Ears, shoulders, and hips in a straight line, with no twisting of the body or head
- Head tilted slightly back
- Body close to the mother (move the baby towards the mother, not the breast towards the baby)
- Hands on both sides of the breast
- Support behind the shoulders and back so the baby can move their head freely
- Nose at the breast level when the baby searches for the nipple
For the mother:
- A comfortable position with good back support
- Feet firmly on the ground or on a footstool when sitting down
- A pillow or pillows to support the arms if necessary
Monitoring your newborn during the first week
A baby is getting enough to eat when they eat on demand 8–12 times per 24-hour period, urinate at least 5 times per 24-hour period from the fourth day onwards and produce stools on a daily basis. During the first few days, the stools are a very dark substance called meconium. On the fourth day, the colour of the stools should become yellow and there may also be some green in it.
| Breasfeeding | Urination | Stools | |
| Day 1 | 8–12 | 1 | 1 |
| Day 2 | 8–12 | 2 | 1 |
| Day 3 | 8–12 | 3 | 1 |
| Day 4 | 8–12 | 5 | 1 |
| Day 5 | 8–12 | 5 | 1 |
| Day 6 | 8–12 | 5 | 1 |
Baby Care Basics: Nappy Changing and Bathing
Nappy Changing
Change nappies whenever necessary. As you learn your baby’s rhythm and temperament, you’ll identify the best times for changing. If your baby is sleepy, changing the nappy can be a natural wake-up call. However, if your baby gets easily irritated, consider changing them after feeding to avoid unnecessary fuss. You don’t need to wash your baby after every wet nappy. Use plain water for cleaning after stools. Lotions are not always necessary – only use them for dry or irritated skin.
Bathing
At home, bathe your baby a couple of times a week. If your baby’s skin is not very dry, more frequent baths are okay. Make sure to dry your baby carefully, especially between skin folds.
You should check your baby’s bends, in between the fingers, and behind the ears each day. Plain water is all you need to wash your baby’s skin. If your baby’s skin seems dry, you can use baby lotion after bathing.
Eyes
Newborn’s tear ducts are still narrow, and they clog easily, which may cause stickiness of the eyes. Eyes should be cleaned daily, or if necessary, even more regularly. Use tap water to wet a cotton pad, and use it to clean the eyes. Start from the outer corner of the baby’s eye, and wipe towards the inner corner. Use separate cotton pads for each eye. If this doesn’t help and the eye remains red and crusty, it may be a sign of an infection. Contact your child health clinic, and they will test the eye for any bacteria and prescribe eye drops, if needed.
Umbilical stump and nails
The stump should be cleaned 1–2 times a day. Use a moist cotton swab and dry the area carefully. Move the swab along the bottom of the fold between the stump and skin. Keep the area dry and clean. The stump should come off after a week or so. If you notice a foul smell, use a non-stinging disinfectant.
The skin on your baby’s fingertips is very sensitive. In order to protect it, we recommend that you don’t cut your baby’s nails during the first two weeks.
- Yellowing of the skin, if your baby is unusually drowsy, doesn’t eat well, or the yellowing persists after your baby is one week old.
- Your baby is not eating well.
- Your baby becomes unusually drowsy and floppy.
- Heavy vomiting (unlike normal spit-ups)
- Continuous, unusual crying
- Watery diarrhea absorbed by the nappy
- Fever, over 38 ºC
- Baby is struggling for breath or breathing fast
- Skin is pale or turning blue
Safe bedtime
We recommend that you put your baby to sleep on their back, in their own bed, and in the same room with the parents. Alternatively, after breastfeeding the baby can be put to sleep next to the parents, as long as safety is taken into account. Babies feel safe when they are close to their parents. Sleeping in the same room also makes for easier breastfeeding, and helps parents save some energy.
Your baby should always sleep in a bed with a smooth and firm mattress, and there should be no extra pillows, blankets or toys. Babies do not need pillows, but having their own blanket and suitable clothing is a good idea to make sure they don’t get too cold or hot. Do not swaddle your baby, as it prevents them from moving themselves. If you put your baby to sleep next to you, the safest position is the so-called C-position where the child is on their back, and the parent lies on their side, always facing the baby. Do not let older siblings or pets sleep next to the baby.
Never put your baby to sleep on their stomach, or leave the baby unattended in an adult bed. Do not put your baby to sleep next to you on a sofa or in an armchair. In some circumstances, we recommend that you do not put your baby to sleep next to you at all. Those circumstances pose a greater risk for sleep-time dangers.
Outdoors
During summertime, babies can usually spend time outdoors as soon as they’re discharged from the hospital. Winterborn babies should spend time outdoors only after a couple of weeks of age, and start gradually so that they have time to adjust to temperature changes. It is important to take the outdoor conditions into account. During summer, always make sure that the cot doesn’t get too hot, and that mosquitoes can’t get in the cot. During winter, make sure that the baby is appropriately dressed. While spending time outdoors, check the temperature in the cot regularly to make sure it isn’t too hot or too cold. It’s important to keep an eye on the baby even when they are napping outdoors. If the weather gets colder than -10°C, avoid spending time outdoors with a newborn.
Challenges of First-Time Parenthood
- Sleep Deprivation: Infants often have irregular sleep patterns, leading to significant sleep deprivation for new parents.
- Lack of Experience: New parents may feel overwhelmed by the lack of experience and knowledge required to care for a newborn.
- Relationship Stress: The demands of parenthood can put a strain on relationships, as couples adjust to their new roles and responsibilities.
- Financial Strain: Raising a child can be expensive, and the financial burden can be significant for new parents.
- Guilt and Self-Doubt: New parents may experience feelings of guilt or self-doubt, particularly if they feel they are not meeting their child’s needs or expectations.
- Social Isolation: Parenthood can sometimes lead to social isolation, as new parents may find it difficult to balance their responsibilities with socializing.
- Health Concerns: Infants are susceptible to illness, and new parents may worry about their child’s health and well-being.
- Lack of Support: Some new parents may not have sufficient support from family or friends, which can make the transition to parenthood even more challenging.
অবৈজ্ঞানিক কাজ
* বাবু পেটে থাকলে আনারস খাওয়া যাবে না।
* বাবুর নাকে হালকা হালকা করে চাপ দিয়ে মাসাজ করা, কারণ নাকের শেইপ নাকি এতে সুন্দর হয়।
* মুখে মধু দেওয়া যেন কথা মিষ্টি হয়।
* নাভি তে ছ্যাক দেওয়া
যেগুলো কুসংস্কার নয়:
* রেগুলার রোদে দেওয়া ও তেল মালিশ করা
* খিচুড়ি তে কি কি দিতে হবে: শাক দিলে আর মাংস দিতে নিষেধ করে,
* না খেয়ে ঘুমালেও তুলতে নিষেধ করে
* একই সময় প্রতিদিন ঘুমাতে বলে,
* দিনে ২/৩ বার কাপড় চেইন্জ করতে বলে
* রাতে ঘুমানোর আগে শরীর মুছাতে বলে, এতে নাকি বেবি পরিচ্ছন্ন হয়ে বড় হবে!
* সারাদিন বাচ্চা কোলে নিয়ে রাখতে নিষেধ করেন, এতে বাচ্চা সেলফ ডিপেন্ডডেন্ট হবে!
Frequently asked questions
Why is my baby getting a rash?
The skin of a newborn is smooth as silk, but many newborns develop a blotchy red skin reaction called erythema toxicum, usually within a few days after birth. It is harmless, and will clear after a few days even without treatment. If the rash resembles blisters, get in touch with your child health clinic.
Why is my baby’s skin so dry and cracked?
In the womb, your baby’s skin is covered in vernix, a wax-like coating. However, vernix can “wear off”, especially if the child is born overdue, which may result in dry and cracked skin. There is no need to worry about this, and it is not an indication of further skin-related problems. If your baby’s skin is extremely dry, you can try using lotion or baby oil.
Is my baby having an eye infection?
Newborn’s tear ducts are still narrow and they clog easily, which may cause stickiness of the eyes. Sticky eyes are not always a sign of infection. Sticky eyes should be cleaned daily, or if necessary, even more regularly. Use tap water to wet a cotton pad, and use it for cleaning the eyes. Start from the outer corner of the baby’s eye, and wipe towards the inner corner. If this doesn’t help and the eye remains red and crusty, it may be a sign of an infection. Contact your child health clinic, and they will test the eye for any bacteria and prescribe eye drops, if needed.
Why are my baby’s nipples swollen?
The nipples of a newborn may sometimes get swollen after birth, due to exposure to maternal hormones. A small amount of white milky substance may exude from the nipple. This does not require medical attention.
Is that blood in my baby’s nappy?
You may notice a red brick-coloured, powder-like residue in your baby’s nappy. This residue is called urate crystals. You don’t need to be alarmed, as this is common during the first few days. As your baby starts to urinate more, urate crystals will go away. If your baby is a little older, urate crystals may be a sign of the baby not getting enough fluids. Make sure your baby gets enough milk. Some baby girls may experience a small amount of vaginal bleeding due to maternal hormones. This is perfectly normal, and does not require medical attention.
Why is the umbilical stump bleeding?
As the umbilical cord stump dries out and eventually drops off, you may notice some bleeding. This is perfectly normal. Keep the navel clean, and keep an eye on the bleeding to make sure that it stops. If necessary, get in touch with your child health clinic.
Did my baby catch a cold?
Newborns sneeze a lot, as it clears their nasal and respiratory passages. Therefore, sneezing is not a sign of a cold.
How do I cure hiccups?
Hiccups are perfectly normal, and usually they don’t even bother your baby. There is no “cure” for hiccups, and they will pass as fast as they arrive.
How can I tell if my baby has diarrhea?
Milk-fed babies can pass loose stools that absorb into the nappy, especially if the mother produces a lot of milk. The colour of the stools may vary from mustard yellow to greenish. Sometimes loose stools may be accompanied by pressure and some noise, but that is perfectly normal and not a sign of diarrhea.
Abdominal separation
During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles that run down the middle of your stomach can separate from the midline. After childbirth, they should return back towards each other. During the first 8 weeks after childbirth, you should avoid any activities that increase the abdominal cavity pressure too much.
To distinguish abdominal separation, lie on your back with your knees bent. Lift your upper body, and reach for your toes. If you have abdominal separation, you will see either a bump or a trench approximately where your navel is. You will be checked for abdominal separation during your postpartum check-up, and in case you have it, a health centre physiotherapist will help you get started with exercises.
When to contact a medical professional
Mother
Contact a doctor in case your postpartum bleeding suddenly gets heavier or turns bright red, you notice clots or a foul smell, you experience pain in your lower abdomen or run a fever. If the bleeding starts suddenly and is unusually heavy, call an ambulance.
Contact a doctor in case you experience constant bleeding from your C-section wound. Swelling, the wound feeling hot, redness, foul smell, fever, increasing or continuous pain, or your wound dressing becoming thoroughly damp may all be signs of an infection, and you should seek medical attention.
If you experience symptoms related to blocked milk ducts or mastitis. Empty your breasts often, and use pain medication regularly. If you need further instructions or want a professional to assess your symptoms, contact the hospital or your child health clinic.
Baby
Contact your child health clinic or maternity hospital in case you notice or suspect any of the following symptoms: