What to expect on your first night home with a newborn
Congratulations! Bringing your baby home for the first time is a momentous occasion. You’ve stepped into a new role and a new territory and it can bring up many different feelings. You are not alone; all these feelings are valid and are very common. Your new life will include late-night feedings, many diaper changes, and sleepless nights. Rest assured with practice and time, you will get into the swing of things. Remember to be kind to yourself. Both you and your new little one will have a period of transition outside the womb. This blog will provide you with some practical advice for those early days of bringing baby home.
Setting Realistic Expectations for Newborn Sleep
Newborns have a unique sleep pattern that can be quite different from adults. They sleep in short bursts, and their sleep cycles are much shorter than ours. Understanding this pattern is key to setting realistic expectations for your first night. It’s not about getting a full night’s sleep, but more about adapting to your newborn’s rhythm.
Many parents set up their sleep in blocks of time, which can be hard if you have decided to nurse. If you are the birth parent, try to prioritize your sleep as much as possible. Your body has gone through a medical event and needs to rest as much as possible. Please take it easy on yourself.
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Sleep Environment
Creating a safe sleep environment is crucial for your newborn’s well-being. This includes a firm mattress, a fitted sheet, and keeping the crib free of pillows, blankets, and toys. Ensure the room temperature is comfortable. Not too hot, not too cold. An easy trick to tell if your little one is too hot or too cold is to use your hand and feel their chest or back. It’s important not to over-dress your little one. You can layer them in one more layer than what you’re wearing to keep them comfortable.
Diaper Changing: What You Need to Know
Diaper changing is a frequent task. Newborns may need 10 to 12 diaper changes per day. Be prepared with essentials like diapers, wipes, and a changing pad. Always clean from front to back. This prevents infections, especially in girls. A gentle touch is key to avoid irritating their sensitive skin. Allow skin to air dry as much as possible to avoid an skin irritations.
Rest assured; they will not use so many diapers as they get older. It can seem overwhelming at the number of diapers and laundry in those early days. Some little ones go through a large number of outfit changes a day. This will not last for ever. Another trick to remove bowel movement stains from newborn clothing (after washing) is to lay the clothes in the sun.
The Importance of Skin-to-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin contact is vital for bonding, it is also known as kangaroo care. It soothes
your newborn and can even regulate their heartbeat and body temperature. To do skin-to-skin, keep baby in a diaper, but take off their clothes. Remove your shirt and place baby in the middle of your chest in an upright position. Some parents do skin-to-skin prior to feeding, and some after. It’s an easy way to soothe a fussy baby. Any caregiver can do skin-to-skin, it is not reserved for the birth parent exclusively.
Conclusion: Embrace your new life and take it one day at a time
Bringing home a baby is a major life transition. If it feels hard, that’s because for some parents it can be a steep learning curve. Make sure to utilize your support system in the early postpartum days and delegate where you need to. You are worth extra care and comfort just like your little one. Take it one day at a time and welcome in the beautiful journey of parenthood.
marj wong 