6 Tips for Newborns Now at Home

Bringing a newborn home can be daunting. Here are 6 tips for newborns now at home, including feedings, bowel movements, sleep habits, and crying.

Moms Crushing It with CanCan Quick Steps

Once you arrive home, new experiences with your baby will begin. It can be daunting, especially for first-time parents.

Don’t worry; here are six helpful tips:

1. Bonding with Baby
2. Breast vs. Bottle
3. Soothing a Crying Baby
4. The Scoop on Poop
5. Sleeping and Breathing Patterns
6. Taking Care of Yourself

Oh Baby! So Much to Learn–Here are tips for newborns now at home

Your baby’s homecoming from the hospital, adoption agency, or foster home is a major event. These six tips for newborns will help lighten your load.

Tip 1: Bonding with Baby

In my case, after almost six years of infertility, we adopted our first baby and although I physically didn’t give birth to her, I bonded more easily and quickly with her than I did with the next seven babies I delivered over the next 12 years because I wasn’t exhausted from a delivery. I was able to hold her and cuddle with her for the first few days after her birth without being sore and uncomfortable. Physical closeness can promote an emotional connection.

When I finally did give birth a year later, the bonding experience was completely different because I had just been through a 28-hour labor and could barely move for a couple of days, never mind hold my new son and cuddle with him as I did with our daughter.

Ultimately, that didn’t matter because once I was home from the hospital, I started appreciating the quiet moments I had alone with him during the nighttime feedings, during his baths, and even while watching his one-year-old sister pat him when he cried.

Every precious moment you get to touch, feed, hold, or observe your new baby can help you bond.

So don’t be concerned if you don’t fall instantly in love or feel a strong connection during the first hours or even days. This is completely normal. Don’t worry, and you will form a loving bond in due time.

Tip 2: Breast vs. Bottle—Don’t Sweat it!

There are advantages and disadvantages to both breastfeeding and bottle feeding, but the decision should be made by the parents—not the result of being influenced by others.

I dreamed of breastfeeding my son during my pregnancy, but when the moment arrived—after 28 hours of labor—I was not prepared for how difficult breastfeeding would be for me. Every woman is different, but breastfeeding and I was not a match, despite my best efforts.

I chose to formula-feed my son, and he thrived. When I had my next baby, I gave breastfeeding another try—and I loved it. I was more relaxed and comfortable with newborns at this point, which I think made a big difference. The rest of my children were all breastfed, but I don’t regret for a moment that I used formula for my adopted daughter and my firstborn son.

Tip 3: Soothing a Crying Baby

All babies cry. It’s the only way for them to communicate their needs at this tender age. Learning how to decipher your baby’s cries and respond appropriately teaches them to trust you. 

That trust bond grows stronger as you become accomplished at anticipating their needs which may lead to less crying.

Nobody knows your baby as well as you do. If you feel that there may be something wrong, call your doctor immediately. Be aware of changes in your baby. If she’s unwell, she’ll probably cry in a different tone to her usual cry. It may be weaker, more urgent, continuous, or high-pitched.

Here are the 6 most common reasons for a crying baby:

1. Hunger. Hunger is one of the most common reasons that your newborn baby will cry. The younger your baby is, the more likely it is that hunger is causing the crying.

2. Gas. If your baby seems uncomfortable while feeding or continually cries during or after a feeding, is squirmy, or pulls away and starts crying, give burping a try. Some parents take a burping break halfway through a bottle or—for nursing moms—when they switch breasts.

3. Wet Diaper. Some babies will let you know that they are wet or have a dirty diaper by crying, so if you’ve tried feeding and it’s not working, check the diaper.

4. Want to be Held. Babies need lots of physical contact and reassurance, so crying may just mean they want to be held. Baby slings are a great way to keep the baby close and still free your hands to do other things. I learned to multi-task incredibly well during the first couple of months I had a newborn because I loved holding my babies as much as possible, and not once did I worry about spoiling them.

5. Overtired. Often, babies find it hard to get to sleep, particularly if they are overtired. You will soon become aware of your baby’s sleep cues, and will know if your little bundle needs extra rest. If your baby is younger than about five months, she may cry in the late afternoon and evenings. This is normal and doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your baby.

6. Colic. Some babies, like my fourth child, have bouts of inconsolable crying that last for several hours at a stretch. This is colic.

Our pediatrician explained colic as a combination of baffling behaviors that usually occur in a pattern of threes: Crying typically starts between 3 weeks and 3 months of age; lasts more than 3 hours at a stretch; occurs at least 3 days a week (though usually every night); and persists for at least 3 weeks in a row.

Most colicky babies cry at the same time every day, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. Worst of all, try as you might—and try you will—it’s extremely difficult to calm a colicky baby, which only compounds your frustration and exhaustion. 

Tip 4: The Scoop on Poop

For the first few days after birth, your baby’s bowel movement will be sticky and greenish-black. This substance, called meconium, is perfectly normal. It’s what filled your baby’s intestines while he was in the womb. Once his body gets rid of it, his poop will look yellowish-orange with seed-like particles.

After about a week and for about the next six months, the consistency and frequency of your baby’s bowel movements will depend on whether he’s breastfed or formula-fed.

While it’s normal for an infant to have a bowel movement anywhere from five or six times a day to once every couple of days, breastfed infants tend to poop less often. Breast milk is so readily digested that it leaves little bulk.

The average newborn has 10 diaper changes a day—or 70 per week!  So get ready because diaper duty is definitely one of the biggest parts of new parenthood.

Tip 5:  Sleeping and Breathing Patterns

The Baby Center Medical Advisory board calculates that newborns sleep 16 – 17 hours a day, but rarely more than 2-4 hours at a time, day or night, during the first few weeks of life.

The reason babies need so much rest is that growing actually makes them tired, and sleep gives them energy, so don’t be concerned that your baby is not awake and interacting with you in the very beginning.

Call your doctor or 911 if you have concerns about your baby’s breathing. Frequently, new parents become concerned about their newborn’s breathing pattern, particularly with the increased attention that sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has received in recent years.

Don’t Forget About You!

Tip 6: Taking Care of Yourself

As much as you’ve longed for your baby’s arrival, all the feeding, diaper changing, and sleepless nights can deplete you. Don’t forget that you need some TLC too.

Be sure to drink plenty of liquids (especially important if you’re breastfeeding);

Eat healthy, energy-boosting foods;

Take advantage of getting rest when and where you can; and

Call on your partner, grandparents, and close friends to give you some respite during the first few weeks of your baby’s homecoming. 

Although it will be trying sometimes, don’t give up on taking care of yourself. If you take the steps to keep yourself healthy, you’ll be better able to care for your baby and the rest of your family.

Your New Home Life Together

Balancing your baby’s needs and your own will take some time. Lean on your partner, family, and friends until you are pain-free and back on your feet. Then you can set the routines that work well for your baby, you, your partner, and those who help you out when needed.

          Bonding with your baby also leads to closer bonds with your partner, parents, grandparents, and the rest of your family, especially when at home with your baby.

Related: 5 Helpful Tips for Bringing Newborn Baby Home

How did you manage during your baby’s first few weeks?  Share your thoughts and ideas in the comment selection below or email me at thecancanmom@gmail.com. You can also visit me on Instagram at CanCanMomCB or at Pinterest at theCanCanMom.