12 Things You Need to Know About Week 1 With a Newborn

Week 1 with a newborn is a mix of excitement, overwhelm, and just about every other emotion in between. Let’s go over a few key things to know so you can be a little bit more prepared for baby!

Week 1 with a newborn is a sweet, special time in so many ways, but there’s a lot of adjusting to do and a lot to know as well! It can be a lot. If you feel overwhelmed, know that is normal and just about every single mom out there has gone through that as well.

This is a few key things to know about your new baby to help you be a bit more prepared and maybe even a bit less overwhelmed.

Remember, your pediatrician is always there to call. Your peace of mind is important! Even if you feel you might be overreacting, call anyways. So much better to call over something that in the end was small than to dismiss your concerns and it turns out to be something important.

This post is all about important things to know during week 1 with a newborn.

Some of this might happen or be explained while you’re in the hospital. That’s a great time to ask a ton of questions of your medical staff! However, plenty of it will continue or start while at home with your baby.

1. Diaper Contents

Yup. We’re going there.

Your baby’s first poop is going to be a bit scary looking. Sticky and tar-like is what you should expect. It’s called meconium and it’s a substance that builds up in their intestines from swallowing amniotic fluid while in the womb.

Once born and they start to eat, they will pass this. Could be all in one diaper, could take a few. Most likely it will happen in the hospital.

It might look scary, but it is 100% normal! In fact, it’s a good thing – means their digestive systems are working as they should.

PRO TIP – apply Vaseline to baby’s bottom to help clean off the meconium once they pass it. It can be tricky to clean off!

2. Baby Poops

While we’re on the topic of baby poop, it’s probably helpful to know that baby poop looks completely different than adult poop. I’m sure that isn’t a surprise! But it’s different in color, smell, and consistency.

It will vary if baby is breastfed or formula fed, but generally it’s yellow-ish, seedy, and more liquidy for breastfed babies and shade of yellow or brown with a pasty consistency that is peanut butter like for formula fed babies. Breastfed babies poops tend to smell sweet! Some describe it as buttered popcorn or vanilla yogurt.

3. Sneezy

For that first week babies are working all of the amniotic fluid out of their system and getting used to the world – that can mean lots of sneezing! With amniotic fluid, it sometimes means gagging too. Keeping a bulb syringe nearby (often given at the hospital for this reason) can be helpful!

4. Track Diapers

How many dirty diapers they have is a huge indicator of how health. It can tell you they’re hydrated, how much they’re eating, that their digestive systems are working properly, etc.

There are various expectations in the first days and weeks of their lives, so tracking is very helpful because it is impossible to remember with the sleep deprivation and everything else going on!

I used the Huckleberry app to track all things baby, diapers included. There are plenty of other apps out there as well! Or you can just use your notes app or pen and paper. Whatever works. But expect the pediatrician to ask you!

5. Tiny Tummies

Babies have teeny tiny tummies when they are born, that grow quickly. This means that even if you’re only producing a little bit of milk in those early days, it’s perfectly okay. It also means they might eat very frequently!

6. Feed on Demand

While schedules are nice, don’t expect a feeding schedule anytime soon. Your doctor will probably have a maximum time to wait between feeds, but your baby might want to eat more often than that.

Feeding on demand is best for these little ones, both for them and your milk supply. Expect it to change day to day, even hour to hour.

Cluster feeding might come into play which is when baby just wants to constantly feed. Tough for mom, but normal!

7. Sooooo Sleepy

Most newborns are so so sleepy, you might not even see their eyes all that much in the first week. At our first month appointment I asked the pediatrician when my son would finally wake up! Expect them to mostly just sleep and eat for a while, and enjoy the sleepy snuggles.

8. Lose Weight

After birth, babies will lose some weight while in the hospital still. Typically, this is nothing to be concerned about! The pediatrician will keep an eye on their weight, and most often them getting back to their birth weight indicates you can lessen the frequency of overnight feeds.

9. Active Sleep

Newborns will do what is called active sleep, and it can look very different baby to baby. It can look like smiling, frowning, various other facial expressions, fluttering eyes, or even making sounds! All normal.

10. Belly Button

It will take a week or two for their belly button to fully heal and fall off. Be sure to leave it alone and let it fall off on its own. Avoid submerging, like for a bath. If baby needs to be cleaned, stick to a sponge bath so you can control where the water is going.

PRO TIP – fold down the front of their diapers to avoid and irritation for baby.

11. Days and Nights Mixed Up

Unfortunately, it’s completely normal for baby to be very sleepy during the day and much more alert and awake at night. Think about how it was in your belly and their activity! Likely, during the day they were a bit less active, being lulled to sleep by your movements. Then at night, it was party time! It’s similar, and they need to adjust to day and night once out of the womb.

PRO TIP – keep night time dark and quiet, and day time bright and loud(er) to help them adjust. Keep windows open and lights on during the day during the day and don’t be afraid to make noise. You don’t need to go out of your way to be loud, but go about your regular life without feeling you need to be quiet for baby.

12. Don’t Want to be Put Down

Coming into the world fresh from the womb is a tough adjustment. Don’t be surprised if all baby wants to do is be held by you. They like the warmth and security that you give them, especially skin to skin! It can be hard to get sleep this way, so be sure to take shifts with your significant other if you can. They will outgrow this eventually!

This post on How To Get Newborn To Sleep Without Being Held will give you some helpful tips. You’re welcome to start them right away! But baby might not be ready for that quite yet. Doesn’t hurt to practice or start experimenting though!

Man, typing this up is really taking me back. My son just turned 6 months and it’s been a completely wild ride in the best way possible. The newborn stage was hard, but you will get through it! I hope this helps you feel a bit more prepared. Don’t be afraid to call your doctor with questions and expect to google a TON. You’ve got this.