First weeks after birth

The first weeks at home with a newborn are different for every family. Your baby will change and grow from day to day, while your body is still recovering from the physical demands of birth. As you get used to being a new parent, you will settle into new routines and gain confidence.

Lean on help and advice from family, friends and healthcare services to stay healthy, happy and well supported. Whether you had your baby in hospital or at home, arranging for someone to help around the house for the first few days can make a big difference - especially if you have limited support from a partner or extended family.

Keep a list of phone numbers nearby so you can call for help quickly. Include contact details for your doctor, the hospital and a parent helpline.

Visits and check-ups#

In many places a maternal and child health nurse or similar service can support families with young children, often with a home visit in the week following the birth.

It is a good idea to have a postnatal check at about six to eight weeks with your doctor. This is a good time to discuss any concerns about your recovery or your baby’s development. It may also coincide with your baby’s routine vaccinations, so you might find it convenient to arrange these for the same visit.

Registration and paperwork#

When a baby arrives, there is usually some paperwork to complete. Requirements differ from place to place, so follow the instructions your hospital or midwife gives you.

This often includes registering your baby’s birth within a set timeframe, after which you will normally receive a birth certificate. You may also need to register your baby with your health system and arrange for immunisations, and you may receive reminders when these are due.

Depending on where you live and your circumstances, you may be eligible for parental leave payments or family benefits. Check what support is available and how to claim it. If you plan to return to work, look into childcare early, as services can have long waiting lists.

Looking after yourself#

Taking care of a newborn is hard work. It can be even more demanding if you are parenting on your own, or if your partner works long hours or travels often.

Say yes when helpful support is offered - it gives you a well-deserved break - and do not be shy about asking family, friends and healthcare services for more help. Try to keep housework to a minimum, as looking after yourself and your baby matters more.

As your body mends you should gradually feel stronger, but it can take time to get back to your usual energy levels. Healthy postnatal weight loss happens gradually. Make time to eat well, get some exercise, and do a few things you enjoy, even briefly.

Return of your period#

Some women get a period within two months, others not until after six months or more. If you are not breastfeeding, your period will usually return within a few weeks.

Bladder and bowel control#

Problems with accidental leaking of urine or bowel motions after birth are not unusual, and they usually improve over time. Regular pelvic floor exercises help, and you can usually start as soon as your baby is born (unless you had a caesarean). Talk to your doctor if you are still having problems after six weeks; a women’s health physiotherapist or continence specialist can help with treatment.

Intimacy and contraception#

It is normal for new mothers to be too tired, sore and busy to think about sex or intimacy. Over time, normal feelings return.

You can have sex again once the bleeding has stopped and you and your partner feel comfortable and ready - you do not need to wait for the six-week check. Even if you are breastfeeding and have not yet had a period, you can still become pregnant as early as three weeks after giving birth. If you want to avoid another pregnancy straight away, discuss contraception with your doctor, midwife or family planning service.

Looking after your baby#

A typical newborn sleeps a lot, cries to communicate and feeds frequently. As you get to know their cues and signals, it becomes easier to understand what they need.

Umbilical cord#

The umbilical cord stump will fall off naturally during the first few weeks. If needed, clean the area with cotton buds and cool, boiled water. Seek medical advice if there is bleeding, or if the area becomes red, weeping or swollen.

Sleeping#

Newborns spend a lot of time asleep, usually 14 to 20 hours a day. However, babies have shorter sleep cycles than adults and wake or stir about every 40 minutes. They also feed often, waking every two to three hours.

Get to know your baby’s tired signs. A strict routine is hard to establish at this stage, but you can start thinking about a regular way to settle them for sleep. Young babies are safest sleeping in the same room as their parents. Check that you have a safe sleeping environment, especially if you are sharing a bed.

Crying#

Babies cry to communicate, but long periods of crying can be confusing, frustrating and exhausting for parents. Many newborns cry more until they are around six to eight weeks old, and the crying usually eases by around three months.

If the crying ever leaves you feeling overwhelmed or angry, make sure your baby is safe and then leave the room for a short break. Do something relaxing or distracting, such as talking to a friend or listening to music.

Feeding#

Not all new mothers find that breastfeeding comes naturally. Get help early and often - from lactation consultants, breastfeeding support groups or the hospital where you gave birth.

Mastitis is caused by a blocked milk duct leading to inflammation, or by a bacterial infection. It is common but painful. Talk to your doctor if you have sore, painful, red or hardened breasts, flu-like symptoms or a high temperature.

Reflux or regurgitation, when your baby brings up a small amount of milk after a feed, is very common. See your doctor if your baby vomits large amounts of milk or is not gaining weight.

When to get medical help#

If your baby is unwell, or you are worried about a health problem, take your baby to your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department as quickly as possible. A newborn’s condition can change very quickly. Call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US and Canada, 112 across the EU and many countries, 999 in the UK, or 000 in Australia) if it is an emergency.

Contact a doctor if you experience depression, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of harming your baby.

For yourself, seek urgent help if you have:

• Sudden, excessive or persistent increased blood loss.
• Significant faintness, dizziness, palpitations or a rapid pulse.
• A fever above 38°C (100.4°F).
• Abdominal pain and foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
• Headaches with changes in vision, nausea or vomiting.
• Calf pain, redness or swelling.
• Shortness of breath or chest pain.
• Red, sore or hot-to-touch breasts, or cracked or bleeding nipples.
• Painful urination, loss of urinary control or a sudden urge to pass urine.
• New or increasing pain in the vaginal area or your belly.

Baby blues and postnatal depression#

After having a baby, up to 80 per cent of women may develop the “baby blues” between day three and day ten after the birth. This feeling usually passes within a day or two and is different from postnatal depression (PND).

Postnatal depression comes on within 12 months of having a baby, usually in the first few weeks or months. It can be mild or severe, and can start gradually or suddenly. Symptoms may include:

• Low self-esteem, and feelings of inadequacy or guilt.
• Feeling overwhelmed, fearful of being alone, or withdrawn.
• Negative thoughts, tearfulness and irritability.
• Difficulty sleeping or changes in sleeping patterns.
• Low sex drive.
• Anxiety, panic attacks or heart palpitations.
• Loss of appetite.
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things.

If you are worried that what you are feeling may be PND, talk to your partner, your doctor or your child health nurse.

Finding support#

Sharing your feelings and experiences with other parents can be really helpful. A mothers’ group or local support group can be a good place to start.

Some community groups organise classes for new parents, such as baby massage or settling techniques, that you may find helpful. Parenting helplines and your doctor can also help with questions about your baby or your own health during the first weeks at home.

Key points#

• Follow local requirements to register your baby’s birth as soon as possible after the birth.
• Keep your involvement in housework to a minimum, as looking after yourself and your baby is more important.
• A women’s health physiotherapist or continence specialist can help with bladder or bowel problems that persist.
• Mastitis is caused by a blocked milk duct leading to inflammation, or by a bacterial infection.
• Mastitis is a common but painful condition.

Where to get help#