First Week Home With Baby

I still remember our first week home like it was yesterday. I put the baby in the bassinet, sat on the edge of the bed… and cried. Not because anything was “wrong,” but because everything felt like too much.

Everyone had said, “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” but my baby slept in 2-hour bursts, and my brain was too wired to relax. Feeding felt constant. My house looked like a mix of a baby store and a laundry explosion. I remember Googling “First Week Home With Baby” at 3 a.m., wondering if I was the only one who felt clueless and totally in love at the same time.

If you’re in that place right now — exhausted, emotional, and wondering if you’re doing any of this “right” — I promise, you’re not alone. The first week is a huge adjustment: frequent feeding, short stretches of sleep, a lot of diaper changes, and a whole new little human to get to know.

In this post, we’ll walk through what’s actually normal in the first week home with baby, and I’ll share simple, doable tips to help you care for your newborn and yourself. No perfection. No pressure. Just gentle guidance, one tiny step at a time.

1. Understand What’s “Normal” in the First Week

Before we jump into tips, it helps so much to understand what’s typical in those early days. When you know what to expect, your brain can stop screaming, “Something is wrong!” every five minutes.

Here’s what’s usually normal in the first week home with baby :

• Frequent feeding : Newborns usually eat 8–12 times a day, often every 2–3 hours, sometimes more. It feels like your baby is always on your chest — that’s okay and normal.
• Short, broken sleep : Newborns may sleep 14–17 hours in 24 hours, but in short bursts of 2–3 hours. That means you’re up a lot, even if baby “sleeps a lot.”
• Lots of diapers : Expect frequent wet and dirty diapers. After the first few days, a well-fed baby usually has at least 4 wet diapers and one or more poopy diapers per day.
• Big feelings : You might feel joy, anxiety, irritability, tears… sometimes all in the same hour. Hormones plus exhaustion are no joke.

If this sounds like your week, you’re not failing — you’re living the very real, very raw first week with a newborn.

2. Feeding Your Newborn Without Losing Your Mind

Follow Baby’s Lead (and Loosen Your Expectations)

Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or combo feeding, the first week is all about on-demand feeding.

• Offer the breast or bottle every 2–3 hours, or whenever baby shows hunger cues:
  • Rooting (turning toward your hand or breast)
  • Hands to mouth
  • Lip smacking
  • Fussiness that isn’t fixed by a diaper change or cuddles

If your baby is super sleepy, you may need to wake them to feed if it’s been more than 3 hours, especially in the early days. This helps them gain weight and supports your milk supply if you’re breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Real Talk

In the first few days, if you’re breastfeeding, your baby gets colostrum — that thick, yellow “liquid gold” that’s packed with antibodies. Around day 3–5, your milk may “come in,” and your breasts can suddenly feel heavy, full, or even uncomfortably engorged.

A few things that can help :

• Use warm compresses before feeding to help milk flow.
• Cold packs after feeds to help with swelling.
• Feed frequently; your baby is the best “pump” to regulate your supply.

If latching hurts or you’re worried about supply, please know: you’re not alone and you’re not failing. Reach out to :

• A lactation consultant
• Your hospital’s breastfeeding support line
• A local breastfeeding support group

I remember crying through a feed on day 4 because my nipples hurt so badly. Once I got help correcting the latch, things slowly got better. Sometimes the tiniest adjustments make a huge difference.

Formula Feeding Without Guilt

If you’re formula feeding, you’re still feeding with love. Full stop.

• Follow the instructions on the formula container carefully.
• Hold your baby close, make eye contact, and pace the feed so they don’t gulp too fast.
• Watch your baby, not just the clock — some feeds will be shorter or longer, and that’s okay.

You are not less of a mom because your baby drinks formula. You are feeding your baby, and that matters more than anything else.

3. Sleep in Short Bursts : For Baby and You

What Newborn Sleep Really Looks Like

Newborn sleep is… messy. They don’t know the difference between day and night yet. They sleep in little chunks, wake to eat, and repeat.

Some things that help:

• Safe sleep first :
  • Always place baby on their back to sleep.
  • Use a firm, flat sleep surface (crib, bassinet, or play yard).
  • No pillows, blankets, bumpers, stuffed animals, or loose bedding in the sleep space.
• Day vs. night cues :
  • During the day: keep lights brighter, talk normally, don’t tiptoe.
  • At night: keep things calm, lights dim, voices soft, minimal interaction beyond feeding and changing.

Over time, these tiny cues help your baby understand that nighttime is for quieter, longer sleep. It won’t happen overnight (sorry!), but you’re planting seeds.

“Sleep When the Baby Sleeps” (Or… Don’t)

You’ll hear this advice a lot. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it feels impossible.

Here’s a more realistic version :

• If you can, aim for one nap during the day while baby sleeps.
• If your brain refuses to switch off, try :
  • Lying down and just closing your eyes
  • Listening to a calming podcast or soft music
  • Putting your phone across the room to avoid scrolling

Your rest counts even if you don’t fully sleep. Give your body some downtime, mama.

4. Diapers, Baths, and Umbilical Cord Care

Diaper Changes : What’s Normal

In the first couple of days, your baby will pass meconium — thick, black, tar-like poop. As feeding gets established, stools change to greenish and then to mustard-yellow or tan, often seedy for breastfed babies.

Call your pediatrician if :

• There are no poops in 24 hours after the first few days
• Poop is very pale, white, or has blood

Quick Diaper Tips

• Always wipe front to back, especially for baby girls.
• Use a barrier cream if you notice redness.
• Give baby a little “air time” if possible — a few minutes without a diaper on a waterproof mat.

Bathing & Umbilical Cord

Until the umbilical cord stump falls off (usually 1–3 weeks):

• Stick to sponge baths instead of tub baths.
• Keep the cord stump clean and dry.
• Fold the diaper below the stump so it’s not rubbing.

Call your pediatrician if the stump area looks :

• Very red or swollen
• Has a foul smell or pus-like discharge

I remember being so nervous about the umbilical cord, like it was going to “break” if I touched it. Once my pediatrician reassured me and showed me how to clean gently around it, I felt so much better. It’s more resilient than it looks — just be gentle and keep it dry.

5. Bonding : You’re Not Failing If It’s Not Instant

Some moms feel an instant, overwhelming rush of love. Others feel… numb, scared, or disconnected at first. Both are normal.

Bonding can grow over time through tiny, everyday moments:

• Skin-to-skin contact (baby in just a diaper on your chest)
• Talking, humming, or singing softly
• Making eye contact during feeds
• Gently stroking baby’s back or hair

You don’t have to “perform” love. Just show up, hold your baby, and keep caring for them. Attachment builds in the quiet, ordinary moments.

6. Taking Care of You in the First Week

Your Recovery Matters Too

Your body just did something huge, whether you delivered vaginally or via C-section. It deserves care and kindness.

Some things that can help :

• Use a peri bottle after using the bathroom for gentle cleaning.
• Sitz baths (if approved by your doctor) can soothe soreness.
• Pain medication — take what your doctor recommends; you don’t have to “tough it out.”
• Move slowly, especially after a C-section. No rushing or heavy lifting.

You are not “lazy” for resting. You are healing.

Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression

In the first week, many moms go through what’s often called the “baby blues,” with things like:

• Mood swings
• Tearfulness
• Feeling overwhelmed or extra sensitive

These feelings typically start a few days after birth and usually ease within about two weeks.

However, pay close attention if you notice:

• Deep sadness or a sense of emptiness
• Constant anxiety, worry, or panic
• Feeling disconnected from your baby
• Hopelessness, or thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby

Those can be signs of postpartum depression or anxiety, and that’s a reason to get support right away. Consider reaching out to:

• Your OB or midwife
• Your baby’s pediatrician
• A mental health professional
• A trusted partner, family member, or friend

Needing help does not mean you’re weak or a bad mom. It simply means you are a human who has just gone through an enormous physical and emotional change. Asking for support is a strong, courageous step.

7. Visitors, Boundaries, and Protecting Your Bubble

Everyone wants to see the baby. But you are allowed to protect your home and your energy.

Some ideas :

• Limit visits to people who help, not just hold the baby.
• Ask visitors to :
  • Wash their hands before holding baby.
  • Skip the visit if they feel even a little sick.
• Use simple phrases like :
  • “We’re keeping visits short this week so I can rest.”
  • “We’re not ready for visitors yet, but we’ll let you know when we are.”

You don’t owe anyone access to your newborn or your home. Your priority is your baby and your recovery — period.

8. When to Call the Pediatrician

You’ll usually have your baby’s first checkup 3–5 days after birth, but sometimes you’ll need to call earlier. Trust your instincts. You know your baby best.

Call your pediatrician right away if your baby :

• Has a rectal temperature over 100.4°F (38°C)
• Is very hard to wake or seems unusually limp
• Refuses to feed or feeds very poorly
• Has worsening yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Has breathing that seems strange — long pauses, grunting, flaring nostrils, or bluish lips
• Has redness, swelling, or foul-smelling discharge around the umbilical cord
• Has not pooped in 24 hours and seems uncomfortable or has a hard, swollen belly

If something feels “off” and you’re not sure, call anyway. Pediatricians expect nervous new parents. That’s their job, and you’re not bothering them.

9. Simple Routines to Keep You Grounded

In the first week home with baby, you don’t need a strict schedule. But a few tiny “anchors” in your day can help you feel less like you’re floating in chaos.

Try:

• Morning reset :
  • Open the curtains
  • Make your bed (even if it’s messy)
  • Drink a full glass of water
• Mini evening routine :
  • Quick tidy of the “baby zone” (diapers, wipes, burp cloths stocked)
  • Lay out clothes for baby and yourself for the next day
• One small “win” a day :
  • A shower
  • A hot drink you actually finish
  • A 10-minute walk or stretch

Your day doesn’t have to be productive in the old sense. Keeping a tiny human alive is productive. Everything else is extra.

10. Gentle Expert Insight (Without Overwhelm)

You’ll see a lot of advice out there, and it can be overwhelming to sort through what really matters. Here’s the heart of it :

• Frequent feeding, lots of sleep in short bursts, and many diaper changes are normal in the first week.
• Safe sleep, responsive feeding, and basic hygiene (handwashing, clean environment) make the biggest difference for health.
• Your wellbeing matters. Postpartum mood changes are common, and support is available and effective.

Think of it this way : your baby doesn’t need a perfect mom with a perfect routine. Your baby needs you — fed, hydrated, and supported enough to keep going, one feed, one diaper, one cuddle at a time.

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Mama, I know this week can feel like a blur of night feeds, crumpled burp cloths, and second-guessing every decision. But here’s what you’re probably not seeing:

• Every time you pick up your baby when they cry, you’re teaching them the world is safe.
• Every diaper change, every feed, every sleepy snuggle is building your baby’s sense of security.
• Even when you feel like a mess, you are showing up — and that matters more than anything.

You and your baby are learning each other. That takes time. There will be hard moments, but there will also be tiny, beautiful ones: the way their fingers curl around yours, their sleepy little sighs, the first time you realize you just knew what they needed.

Give yourself credit. Give yourself grace. You don’t have to love every minute to be a loving, amazing mom.

Share Your First Week

I’d love to hear from you, truly. 💛

• What has been the hardest part of your first week home with baby so far?
• What’s one little win you’re proud of today — even if it’s “I remembered to drink water”?

Share your experience in the comments — your story might be exactly what another tired mama needs to read at 3 a.m.

And if you’d like more gentle, practical support for newborn life, mom life, and everything in between, join my email list so we can get through this season together.