Your Baby Week 1
Congratulations! You did it! You've survived the third trimester and labor and now you are home with your little one. Chances are you're exhausted and you may be surprised that your new baby is too. In fact, newborns only spend 10% of their time awake. The bad news is that they may be awake at a time when you want to sleep, like at 3 AM, but since they will probably be sleeping most of the day, you will have a chance to catch up on some much needed sleep too.
If this is your first child, you may be a little nervous about having your newborn home for the first time. However, the first few weeks should be relatively uneventful. This will be a good time for you to learn how to change a diaper efficiently, get more comfortable with breastfeeding and bond with your new baby.
You may find that family members and friends are stopping by or calling at all hours of the day. This may be exhausting, but remember, it's okay to set boundaries. Everyone is excited, and although you may feel pressure to accommodate everyone's wishes to see your new baby, turning off your phone or setting a date for a visit a few weeks away is completely okay!
Try setting your voicemail to a message that lets everyone know the important details. For example:
You have reached Katie and Jake. Our newest family member has arrived! Her name is Carrie Ann; she was born on August 8th and weighs 6lbs. 7oz. Mom and baby are doing great, if you'd like us to call you back when it is convenient, please leave your name and number. Thanks for calling!
Your baby should be sleeping most of the time; diaper changes are frequent, as are feedings, so what should you be concerned about? While most babies spit up, if you think your baby is spitting up frequently, this may be a sign of acid reflux and is something you can speak with your physician about. Also, pay attention to your baby’s color. You may have heard of babies being "jaundiced". Jaundice is caused by excess bilirubin in the bloodstream. If your baby looks more yellow than when you brought him home from the hospital, speak with your physician about some simple treatments that will help.
Sponge Baths
Some parents worry about their child's first bath, but like most things in life, the key is preparation. Get everything ready before you start the bath, it will be both easier and safer. You should give your baby sponge baths until their umbilical cord falls off and if your baby was circumcised, it's important to stick with sponge baths until they have entirely healed. Even with a sponge bath, it's important to test the temperature of the water you are going to use with your wrist or elbow because your baby can be scalded easily.
To give your child a sponge bath, prepare a bowl of warm water and a clean washcloth. Put the washcloth into the warm water then squeeze it out until it is just damp, not dripping. You can then use the washcloth to gently clean your baby behind their ears, between fingers and toes, and anywhere that their diaper covers. Try to keep the parts of your baby you aren’t washing covered with a dry towel. This will help your baby stay warm during the bath.
Remember, your newborn does not need a sponge bath every day, though you should keep their face, neck, and bottom clean whenever they are dirty.
