Your baby is here! Now what?
Feeling like you don’t know how to care for your newborn can cause a lot of anxiety, especially for first-time parents. Here’s a list of newborn care basics that every parent should review, including when to seek help from your pediatrician.
Table of contents
Feeding your newborn
There’s a lot to learn when it comes to feeding your newborn, from creating an infant feeding schedule to weighing the benefits of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding. Parents also must learn about newborn nutrition and the signs of hunger in a newborn to ensure their baby gets the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
Breast milk and/or infant formula will fulfill your baby’s nutritional needs until they begin the transition to solid foods, which usually occurs around 6 months of age.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a wonderful choice for your baby, as breast milk is perfectly formulated for your baby’s development and long-term health. But there can be many challenges with breastfeeding as well, especially if your baby is unable to latch properly. MD Kids Pediatrics can connect you with a lactation consultant if you need extra support.
Breastfeeding babies feed on demand, typically every 2-3 hours (8-12 times per day). Your baby will likely exhibit the following signs of hunger, even before they begin crying:
Making sucking motions
Smacking their lips
Bringing their hands or fingers to their mouth
Rooting (turning their head toward your chest and opening their mouth)
Proper latching while breastfeeding helps you avoid nipple pain and promotes adequate milk intake for your baby. Signs of a good latch include:
Your baby’s mouth is wide open and covers most of your areola
Your baby’s chin is touching your breast
You can see and hear swallowing
The latch is comfortable and pain-free
Newborns who breastfeed exclusively may lose some weight after birth, but should regain it within 10-14 days.
Formula feeding
Formula feeding is also an option, especially if your baby struggles to breastfeed. Some parents prefer combo feeding breast milk and infant formula so they can share feeding duties, while others formula feed exclusively for a number of valid reasons.
Ultimately, the choice is yours – and today’s infant formulas are a safe and nutritionally complete alternative to breast milk.
How many ounces should a newborn eat? Most formula-fed babies eat every 3-4 hours, starting with 1-2 ounces per feeding. This amount gradually increases as your baby grows. Pay attention to your baby’s cues to avoid overfeeding, including these signs of fullness:
Turning their head away from the bottle
Sucking more slowly or stopping altogether
Unclenching their hands
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when preparing infant formula. Any unused formula should be discarded after an hour.
Burping
What are the best techniques for burping a newborn? And when do you stop burping a baby? Here are some helpful burping tips, whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding, or both.
Burping helps release any trapped air your baby may have swallowed during feeding, which reduces gas and spit-up. There are many options for burping a newborn, including:
Over the shoulder – Place your baby’s head on your shoulder, supporting their body with one arm. Use your other hand to gently pat their back.
On your lap – Place your baby upright on your lap facing away from you. Support their chin and chest with one hand, then use your other hand to gently pat their back.
Across your lap – Lay your baby face down across your lap, resting their belly on your thighs. Then gently pat their back, making sure their head is higher than their chest.
Most babies stop needing to be burped around 4-6 months of age, especially if they can sit up well.
Newborn sleep patterns
How many hours does a newborn sleep? Can a newborn sleep on their stomach? Tired parents of newborns often have a lot of sleep-related questions, along with how to prevent SIDS.
Sleep duration
Newborns typically sleep 16-18 hours a day in short intervals of 2-4 hours, waking up in between to eat.
The ABCs of safe sleep
Follow these sleep practices for a safe newborn bedtime routine:
Alone – Your baby should sleep alone in their crib or bassinet rather than co-sleeping with you
Back – Always put your baby on their back to sleep, not their stomach
Crib – Use a firm mattress with no pillows, toys, or bedding
Other sleep tips
Establish a consistent bedtime routine early on, so your baby can learn when it’s time to go to sleep. Always keep your baby’s sleep environment dark and quiet at night.
During late-night feedings, try not to talk much and keep your voice low. Put your baby back down as soon as they are fed, burped, and changed, so they can (hopefully) get more zzzz’s.
Diapering and hygiene
Proper hygiene is essential for your newborn’s health and well-being, and first-time parents must learn everything from how to change a diaper to how to bathe a newborn. Here are some tips to help keep your baby clean and comfortable.
Diaper changes
Parents of newborns change a lot of diapers! You can expect an average of 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 bowel movements per day after the first few days. Be sure to monitor your baby’s urine output and the color of their stool, which should change from meconium (dark green or black) to mustard yellow by day 4-5.
Skin care
Your newborn’s skin is thin, delicate, and less developed than adult skin, making it more susceptible to neonatal rash.
The most common type of neonatal rash is erythema toxicum neonatorum, a harmless rash that typically appears within the first few days of life and can last up to two weeks. A newborn with erythema toxicum neonatorum will likely develop red, raised bumps or patches on their skin, which may or may not be filled with pus.
Newborns can also develop seborrheic dermatitis (“cradle cap”), which causes scaly yellow patches on their skin – particularly their scalp, eyebrows, and behind their ears. And if they are sensitive to certain foods or irritants (such as soaps or detergents), a newborn allergic rash may occur.
To prevent diaper rash, clean your baby’s skin thoroughly after each diaper change and allow their skin to air dry before putting on a new diaper.
Bathing
You will need to give your newborn sponge baths until their umbilical cord stump falls off (see more below). After that, bathe your baby 2-3 times per week using warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth.
Always check the temperature before placing your baby in the water. You can use your inner elbow or wrist, which are more sensitive than your fingertips, or use a bath thermometer for accuracy – your baby’s bath temperature should be between 98.6°F and 100°F.
It’s not uncommon for your newborn’s skin to peel after a bath for the first 1-2 weeks, as their skin adjusts after being in amniotic fluid for 9+ months. To help manage the peeling, each bath should last no more than 5-10 minutes. Avoid excessive scrubbing, and gently pat your baby’s skin dry afterward.
Wondering if or when to start bathing your baby daily? Unless they have extra spit-up or messy diaper accidents, 2-3 times per week is plenty.
Umbilical cord and circumcision care
To care for an umbilical cord stump or circumcision properly, they must both stay clean and dry. Here’s how:
Umbilical cord
Fold your newborn’s diapers below the umbilical cord stump to avoid irritation as it heals
Give sponge baths only – do not submerge your baby in water until the cord falls off
Call your pediatrician if there are any signs of infection
What does a normal vs. infected umbilical cord look like? Signs of infection include redness, discharge, or a foul odor. And when does the umbilical cord fall off? Your baby’s stump should fall off within 1-2 weeks. Keep in mind, a small amount of newborn belly button bleeding is normal when the stump detaches.
Circumcision (if performed)
Apply petroleum jelly and gauze with every diaper change to speed up healing and prevent the diaper from sticking
Again, give sponge baths only until the area is fully healed
Circumcisions typically take 7-10 days to heal. Minor swelling, redness, bruising, and yellow secretions (similar to a scab) are normal and part of the healing process.
General health and monitoring
You know your baby best, but here are some general health and monitoring guidelines to follow:
Temperature
Temperature is one of many neonatal vital signs. A normal, healthy newborn temperature ranges from 97.5°F to 99.5°F. Seek medical attention immediately if your baby’s rectal temperature reading is 100.4°F or more.
Warning signs
Worrisome warning signs of potential health issues include poor feeding, vomiting, fewer wet diapers, lethargy, and excessive sleepiness. Is your newborn breathing fast? Issues like rapid breathing, grunting, and flaring nostrils also require immediate medical care.
Soothing techniques
Pacifiers are known for their soothing ability and also reduce the risk of SIDS. You can offer a pacifier to your baby as long as breastfeeding is well-established. White noise, rocking, and gentle swinging can also comfort a fussy baby.
Do you have to swaddle a newborn? No, but it may help your baby feel more secure. Here’s how to swaddle a baby properly:
Lay a blanket on a flat surface and fold the top corner down
Place your baby on the blanket with their shoulders below the fold and one arm at their side
Bring the other side of the blanket across their chest and tuck it under their back
Fold the bottom of the blanket up and over their feet, tucking it in securely
Bring the other side of the blanket across their body, tucking it in securely to complete the swaddle
What about when to stop swaddling? Once your baby can roll over, it’s time to stop traditional swaddling – but you can try a transition swaddle in its place.
A transition swaddle is a wearable blanket designed to help your baby safely adjust from being fully swaddled to sleeping with their arms free. A transition swaddle allows your baby to enjoy the same snug feeling while being able to move their arms as needed.
Development and bonding
Tummy time is one of the best ways to build your baby’s strength, while bonding encourages their emotional development.
Tummy time
Tummy time is when your baby spends time lying on their stomach – ideally on a safe and clean surface, such as a playmat or blanket.
Tummy time helps your baby strengthen their neck, back, and shoulder muscles and improve their head control. It also stimulates their sensory development, exposing them to new sights, sounds, and textures.
Start with a few minutes of tummy time, progressing to several times a day.
Bonding
Bonding is the intense emotional attachment that develops between parent and baby. Skin-to-skin contact with your newborn provides them with warmth, comfort, and a sense of security, while talking, singing, and maintaining eye contact with your baby supports their emotional development.
Bonding with your newborn is a continuous process that builds as you respond to their cues, creating the foundation for a healthy, lifelong relationship. However, some parents have difficulty bonding with their baby, especially at first. Sheer exhaustion and the overwhelming responsibility of caring for a newborn can make bonding seem impossible.
If you are struggling to bond with your baby or have symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety, seek professional care.
Safety Essentials
From infant car seat safety to babyproofing your home, baby safety is a high priority.
Car seats
Always use a rear-facing car seat in the backseat for your newborn. The car seat should meet current safety standards and be properly installed with less than 1 inch of movement allowed. The harness straps should also be snug, leaving the chest clip at armpit level.
Never use a car seat on an elevated surface (such as a table or counter) or for feeding or sleeping. Car seats should be used for travel only.
Home safety products
There are many infant safety products on the market today, from baby monitors and gates to cabinet locks and outlet covers. Be sure to keep your baby’s sleeping and play areas free of hazards and choking risks, including loose bedding.
Your home should also be smoke-free. Smoking around your baby increases their risk of SIDS, respiratory infections, ear infections, and more.
When to seek help from a pediatrician
Contact a pediatrician immediately if your newborn has:
A fever higher than 100.4°F
Difficulty breathing or bluish skin
Feeding problems or fewer wet diapers
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Extreme fussiness or lethargy
Signs of infection, such as redness, discharge, or a foul odor
At MD Kids Pediatrics, our compassionate team of pediatric experts is here to guide you through every step of newborn care. We encourage you to reach out to us anytime you have questions or need medical advice. Many MD Kids Pediatrics locations also offer after-hours and weekend care for your convenience.
