Posted on May 20th, 2022

Are you becoming a new parent soon? Explore these tips for bringing a newborn home and make the transition easier for you and your baby.

Bringing a newborn home is one of the most exciting – yet overwhelming – experiences in life. During this adjustment period, both the baby and the parents must adapt to a brand-new lifestyle that requires patience and trial and error.  

These expert tips will address the most common parenting concerns, so you can confidently enter the next chapter of life with your family’s new addition. 

Prepare Ahead of Time

Before you head to the hospital, make sure to set up a few things ahead of time. Buy plenty of diapers, wipes and onesies and find a designated safe spot for your baby to sleep. You and your partner should stock up on frozen meals or ask family members and friends to prepare food for you. You likely won’t have time to cook for yourselves once your newborn arrives.  

Additionally, you should establish a relationship with your pediatrician before your baby is born. Attend a prenatal visit to talk to the doctor, get familiar with the office and decide whether your parenting preferences align with the clinic’s. 

Sleeping

Every baby is different, but normally young infants can sleep anywhere from 20 minutes to three hours at a time. During the first month, your baby may sleep up to 16 hours per day.  

At first, many newborns will confuse day and night, much like “jet lag.” This is because they are used to sleeping during the day, since they find mom’s movement soothing, and staying awake at night when the mother is still.  

It can take some time to adapt, but there are ways you can help your baby adjust to the real world. During the day, keep your shades are up, your lights on and provide plenty of noise and stimulation. At night, dim the lights, stay quiet and avoid playtime. 

Crying

Most babies cry between two to four hours throughout a 24-hour period, despite being asleep for up to 16 of those hours. It takes time and trial-and-error to understand what each cry means. Pay close attention to your baby’s schedule and keep track of their sleeping, eating and diaper changes on a piece of paper or through an app. Then, you can use the process of elimination to find out what your baby needs.  

Aside from the big three reasons for cries — hunger, tiredness or a full diaper — keep in mind that your baby may also be upset because they are overstimulated, uncomfortable or too hot or cold. 

Breastfeeding 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk for the first six months of life. After, you can begin to breastfeed less as the baby is introduced to purees. 

Sometimes, this can be a struggle for both the mom and baby — and that’s okay. It may be a matter of simply talking to a lactation consultant or using Valleywise Health’s 24-hour Breastfeeding Hotline and other resources. If this doesn’t work, formula is a great alternative either as a supplement or the sole source of your baby’s nutrition.  

Bottle-Feeding 

If you’re breastfeeding and want to give your newborn the occasional bottle, wait until your feeding routine is established before introducing one. If you are pumping or using formula, you can introduce the bottle right away. 

Regardless of which method you choose, strive to feed your baby eight to 12 times per day — or every two to three hours from the start of one feeding to the next.  

Introducing Foods

Most babies can start eating pureed foods between four and six months of age. Baby oatmeal, vegetable purees and fruit purees are soft and easily digestible. 

Be sure to talk to your doctor often during the first few months of feeding. They can provide valuable assistance when breastfeeding, bottle feeding and introducing new food to your baby.  

Diapers

So, how often should your baby poop? You can determine whether your newborn is getting enough nutrients based on the number of wet diapers they produce. In the first weeks, you should expect at least five to six wet diapers per day, or better yet, one after every feed. Between six weeks and three months, this number will decrease significantly. But don’t worry — as long as they have a wet diaper at least once per week, it’s no cause for concern. 

Rashes

With all those diapers, many babies are prone to rashes. To avoid this, check your baby’s diaper every couple of hours and change them as soon as you notice wetness. You can also use creams and ointments to protect their skin and allow it to heal between changes. 

Bathing

Aside from messy spit-ups and blowouts, babies usually don’t get very dirty. You should not bathe your newborn daily. Rather, give them a gentle bath with a soft sponge or washcloth every two to three days. Be sure to keep the umbilical cord area dry until it falls off. 

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