Bringing Home Baby: What to Expect in the First Six Weeks

After nine months of pregnancy, the first few weeks of motherhood can feel exhilarating, overwhelming, exciting and terrifying all at once. Here are some common questions that many new moms ask:

How much will my baby sleep?

Newborn babies sleep a lot – usually more than 16 hours a day. However, this sleep is taken in small increments of between 20 minutes and four hours at a time. Waking up at night to feed your baby will make you tired, so try to take naps during the day while your baby is sleeping.

How do I know what my baby needs?

It can be hard for a new parent to tell right away what his or her baby’s cries mean. Your baby may be hungry, sleepy, too cold or hot, gassy or have a wet diaper. Make sure your baby is fed, dry and comfortable. If he or she is still fussy, don’t panic – sometimes, babies cry for no real reason. Swaddle or rock your baby or provide a pacifier to suck on. At this age, don’t worry that too much attention will ‘spoil’ your baby.

How do I play with my baby?

It’s important to interact with your baby and stimulate the senses, even in the first few weeks, to help build the brain’s connections. Newborns can’t hold toys or play games, but simple stimuli will keep your baby happy too. Sing, hang a mobile above the bed or carry your newborn in a sling while doing daily activities to help provide plenty of new sensations.

What changes will take place in my body?

Your baby isn’t the only one who is changing rapidly during the first six weeks. Your body also adjusts to postpartum life. Organs that moved during pregnancy to make room for the fetus will now shift back into place and your uterus will shrink back to its normal size. This can cause some cramping or ‘after pains,’ which should go away after about a week.

How do I know what feelings are normal?

Hormonal changes will occur in your body after giving birth, usually causing mood swings. You can expect to feel overwhelmed and anxious sometimes. However, if you feel prolonged feelings of hopelessness, anger or the desire to hurt your baby, call your physician immediately, as these could be signs of postpartum depression.

Geri Scott is a registered nurse and certified childbirth educator at Baptist Hospital, in Nashville, Tenn., where more than 7,000 babies are delivered each year at the faith-based hospital. www.baptisthospital.com.