Before you know it, the waiting will be over, and your newborn will arrive. Beyond labor and delivery, preparing for your baby means learning what to expect during those first weeks at home while building the practical skills, emotional support, and flexible mindset you'll need to navigate this life-changing journey with confidence and care.
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Preparing for your newborn
People often say you can never be truly prepared for the life changes that come with having a child – and there's a lot of truth to that. But there are many things you can do before your baby arrives to feel as prepared as possible, whether you're in the early stages of pregnancy or will be giving birth soon.
First, we'll focus on post-birth and newborn essentials, including feeding, sleeping, diapering, and bathing. Your newborn will likely look and behave in ways that surprise you, so learning what to expect from your newborn ahead of time can be very helpful.
Second, we'll turn the spotlight on you. Much pre-delivery preparation focuses on birthing and caring for your newborn, but learning how to prepare and care for yourself – not only after the baby is born, but now – is equally important.
The goal is to help you feel as ready as possible for this new adventure by providing tips that set you and your baby up for success.
The first few days after birth
Congratulations! After nine months of waiting, your new bundle of joy has finally arrived. However, there may be a few surprises in store, from your baby's appearance to their sleeping habits.
Appearance
Despite the images you see on baby food jars and in television shows and movies, most babies don't come out of the womb looking adorable and perfect. For instance, your newborn may have:
Puffy eyes due to fluid retention from birth, irritation caused by the antibiotic eye drops or ointment used after birth to prevent bacterial infection, or pressure on their face during vaginal delivery
Soft spots (fontanelles) on their head because a baby's skull bones do not fully fuse together until they are 12-18 months old
Vernix-covered skin, a thick, white, cheesy-looking substance that covers their skin in the womb and acts as a natural lubricant during delivery
Peeling skin because they are no longer surrounded by amniotic fluid in the womb, which helps keep their skin moist
A flat nose due to pressure on their face during vaginal delivery
A cone-shaped head after squeezing through the birth canal during vaginal delivery
So, don't be alarmed if your baby doesn't look like you expected. These newborn features should fade away in the coming weeks.
Breathing
Irregular or shallow breathing is common in the first few days as your baby's respiratory system develops outside the womb.
Reflexes
Some of these involuntary movements may startle you at first, but newborn reflexes are a sign of your baby's healthy development, including:
Moro reflex – Also called the "startle" reflex, your baby suddenly flings their arms and legs outward, often with a cry (this reflex is usually in response to loud noises).
Rooting reflex – Your baby turns their head and opens their mouth when you touch their cheek or the corner of their mouth, which helps them find the breast or bottle for feeding.
Grasp reflex – Your baby closes their fingers around a finger, toy, or another thin object placed in their palm.
Sleep
It probably comes as no surprise that your baby's sleep schedule will be erratic. Newborns typically sleep 16-18 hours a day in short stretches of 2-4 hours each, and their days and nights may be mixed up at first.
Feeding your newborn
The experience of feeding your newborn can range from joyful to challenging to emotional – and sometimes you may experience them all at once. Like everything else newborn-related, preparation helps.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months, continuing after they start on solid foods for the first year of life. But breastfeeding isn't possible or preferable for all new parents, and in some cases it may not be recommended. Your pediatrician can answer your questions about breastfeeding and formula feeding, and help you decide which feeding method is best for you.
Breastfeeding
If you choose to breastfeed, expect on-demand feeding every 2-3 hours and potentially more frequent feeding during growth spurts. Your milk supply will begin as colostrum (a fluid high in nutrients, antibodies, and antioxidants) and then become thinner, whiter milk about three days after birth.
A good latch is essential for preventing pain, increasing your breast milk supply, and ensuring that your baby is well-fed. If you are struggling with latch or supply issues, consider speaking with a lactation consultant or joining a local breastfeeding support group in your area.
Formula feeding
With formula feeding, you can also expect to feed every 2-3 hours using sterilized bottles. Consult with your pediatrician to discuss the available types of formula and the recommended amounts to feed your baby.
Feeding cues
Crying is actually a late sign that your baby is hungry. Instead, look for cues like the rooting reflex (see above), sucking on their hands or fingers, smacking their lips, and restlessness.
Diapering, bathing and hygiene
Knowing how to properly care for your baby builds confidence, especially for new parents. Soon you will discover that nothing smells sweeter than a clean, freshly-bathed baby.
Diapering
The diapering process begins slowly, with one wet diaper per day of life until the fifth day after birth, then 6+ diapers per day for the foreseeable future. Your baby's first stools are meconium (a thick black substance composed of amniotic fluid, bile, and other materials), then change to looser stools that are seedy and mustard yellow in color.
Umbilical cord care
Be sure to keep your baby's umbilical cord stump dry and clean, however, cleaning with alcohol is not recommended. The umbilical cord should fall off on its own 1-2 weeks after birth.
Bathing
Give your baby sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off. After that, use warm water, mild fragrance-free baby soap, and a soft, non-abrasive washcloth 2-3 times per week.
Nail trimming
Newborn baby nails are delicate but sharp. Many parents have their babies wear mittens to avoid scratching themselves or others. You can also use a baby nail file to soften any sharp edges before you progress to trimming.
Newborn sleep and safety
Sleep is precious for babies and parents alike, and safety is critical. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 3,000 infants die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) while sleeping each year.
Follow these tips to help your newborn sleep soundly and safely:
Your baby should sleep on their back, alone, in a crib or bassinet.
Remove all pillows, blankets, bumpers, and toys from their sleeping space.
Use a firm mattress with a snug fitted sheet.
Room-sharing is recommended for the first 6-12 months to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Swaddling, white noise, pacifiers, and gentle rocking can help alleviate any sleep disturbances or fussiness.
When to call a pediatrician
It's perfectly normal to have a lot of questions after your baby is born, but it's also important to know the signs that require urgent medical attention.
Get care right away if your baby has any of these symptoms:
Temperature over 100.4 (fever)
Difficulty breathing, bluish lips, or flaring nostrils
Refusing to feed
Persistent vomiting
Less than four wet diapers in 24 hours (over five days old)
Lethargy or unusual drowsiness
Worsening yellow skin
When in doubt, contact Arbor Pediatrics for top-quality pediatric care and advice.
Emotional and practical preparation
Now that you have the new baby home care checklist above, it's time to shift gears and learn how to prepare yourself emotionally and plan for your upcoming transition to parenthood. Taking these steps now can help your newborn's arrival go more smoothly, so you can focus on what matters most – bonding with and enjoying your newborn.
Line up your support systems
Even if you are a single parent, no one does this alone – and you shouldn't try to. Take these steps now to line up your support systems, so they are already in place when your baby arrives:
Identify trusted family members, friends, and professionals who can help with meals, errands, or rest breaks.
Consider hiring a postpartum doula for additional support and newborn education.
Join a local or online parenting group for community and connection with others.
Communicate with your partner or support system
You're likely in for some sleepless nights and stressful times ahead, especially if you are a first-time parent. Setting expectations and building a strong foundation with your partner can help you manage stress more effectively.
Talk about the expectations you have for your parenting roles now, such as diaper duty, feedings, and nighttime care. It's best to be on the same page before your baby arrives.
Discuss how each of you handles stress and suggest ways that you can support one another.
Make time for emotional check-ins to find out how you're both doing and what improvements can be made.
Shared decision-making can help you feel more bonded as a unit – remember, you're in this together.
Learn and prepare for your baby's arrival
Education can help boost your confidence as you prepare for your baby's arrival.
Taking classes in infant CPR, newborn care, breastfeeding, and/or postpartum recovery gives you a better idea of what to expect.
You can also study information from trusted resources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, and other parent-friendly guides.
Plan for the unexpected
Being flexible when the unexpected happens is a superpower in early parenting. Here are some things you can do now to help set yourself up for success:
Prepare yourself for a delayed physical recovery after delivery, feeding challenges, emotional ups and downs, and other challenges that may occur.
Keep your plans adaptable – labor, delivery, and parenting rarely follow a script.
Have a backup in place for things like childcare for other children, pet care, and transportation.
The first weeks after your newborn arrives are full of surprises – but knowing what to expect can help you become a happier and more confident parent. Whenever you have questions, Arbor Pediatrics is here for you.
