{"id":2532,"date":"2020-10-02T06:51:29","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T06:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/?post_type=blogs_articles&p=2532"},"modified":"2025-03-28T15:14:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T07:14:45","slug":"babys-first-week-what-its-really-like-to-care-for-a-newborn","status":"publish","type":"blogs_articles","link":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/blogs_articles\/babys-first-week-what-its-really-like-to-care-for-a-newborn\/","title":{"rendered":"Baby\u2019s First Week: What It\u2019s Really Like To Care For A Newborn"},"featured_media":3552,"parent":0,"template":"","blogs_articles_categories":[86],"blogs_articles_tags":[210],"class_list":["post-2532","blogs_articles","type-blogs_articles","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blogs_articles_categories-newborn","blogs_articles_tags-newborn"],"yoast_head":"\nBaby\u2019s First Week: What It\u2019s Really Like To Care For A Newborn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Not sure what to expect as a new mum? The first few days with a newborn can be challenging, let us share what it's like to care for them.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/blogs_articles\/babys-first-week-what-its-really-like-to-care-for-a-newborn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Baby\u2019s First Week: What It\u2019s Really Like To Care For A Newborn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Not sure what to expect as a new mum? 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While you may be eager to bring your little bundle of joy home, the first couple of days with a newborn can be rather challenging. Here\u2019s what you can expect during the first week as a new mum.","description":"<h2><strong>Baby\u2019s First Week: What It\u2019s Really Like To Care For A Newborn<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Think you\u2019re ready for motherhood? While you may be eager to bring your little bundle of joy home, the first couple of days with a newborn can be rather challenging. Here\u2019s what you can expect during the first week as a new mum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>#1 Breastfeeding isn\u2019t as easy as you think<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Nursing may be tough at first, but you\u2019ll get the hang of it. For now, focus on getting the baby to latch on correctly \u2013 chin up, lips out, and jaw moving in a rhythmic motion as they suck and swallow. Although you may experience some tingling for the first week or two, the nursing session shouldn\u2019t hurt \u2014 otherwise, it\u2019s a sign that your baby may not be latched on properly. You may also want to consider getting a lactation consultant to show you the different ways of latching and offer you advice on nipple care.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">If you\u2019re going to feed regularly, nursing supplies such as nursing pads to catch leaks, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.pigeon.com.sg\/collections\/pumping\"><u>breast pump<\/u><\/a> to relieve engorgement and stimulate milk flow, will make your nursing experience a lot more manageable. For days when you need to bottle nurse, make sure to find a <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.pigeon.com.sg\/collections\/softouch-wide-neck-bottle\"><u>nursing bottle<\/u><\/a> that\u2019s suitable for babies who also breastfeed so it still feels like the real deal. <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.pigeon.com.sg\/products\/natural-feel-nipple-shield-size-2-m\"><u>Peristaltic nipples<\/u><\/a> also help to create an authentic breastfeeding experience by facilitating the natural tongue movement of the baby \u2013 a must-have for new mums.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>#2 Sleep when your baby sleeps<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Although their sleeping patterns may vary, most babies snooze for an average of 16 to 18 hours a day \u2013 but it usually happens in small, irregular chunks. And yes, it\u2019s normal for them to wake up to feed and then go straight back to sleep. One pro mum tip is to sleep whenever your little one sleeps so you can clock in some much-needed zzzs, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">But if you\u2019re not one for spontaneous naps, alternate shifts with your partner so both of you can take turns to get ample rest. This applies to not just feedings, but also other not-so-fun nighttime shenanigans such as diaper changes, burping and swaddling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>#3 Never leave them to cry <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">You may be frustrated by your baby\u2019s constant wails, but understand that crying is their only method of communication. Perhaps they are hungry or maybe they require a nappy change, but there may be times when they simply want a cuddle. To calm them down from a crying fit, one effective way is through swaddling \u2013 this helps to recreate the cosy confines of the womb, therefore inducing a calming reflex that keeps your little burrito warm, snug and relaxed. Simple acts such as holding, swaying and letting them suck on your finger can also help to soothe their distresses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>#4 Change diapers regularly<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Not to scare you, but you may have to go through several rounds of dirty diapers every day. But that\u2019s actually a good thing as it\u2019s an indication that your baby is eating enough, and isn\u2019t dehydrated or constipated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A newborn\u2019s first poop will start with meconium, which is a black tar-like substance that passes through in the first few days after birth. By day four, the bowel movements will turn into a green-yellow stool of a lighter, runnier consistency. After this, they may be pooping at least three times a day, so don\u2019t slack off on the diaper duties. Don\u2019t forget to keep your baby\u2019s bottom clean and free of nappy rash with <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.pigeon.com.sg\/products\/anti-bacterial-wet-tissues-60-sheets-100-food-grade\"><u>antibacterial wipes<\/u>!<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>#5 Remember to care for yourself<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Between the nursing woes, lack of sleep and plummeting hormones, you hardly have the time to stay sane. Your body is still in a state of recovery from labour, so it\u2019s important to allow yourself time to heal postpartum and not overexert yourself. If you\u2019re still feeling sore after childbirth, taking a hot bath is amazing at easing the pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Meanwhile, get a family member to take care of you and let daddy do most of the work for the time being. It\u2019s perfectly OK to let everything else go for a while \u2013 take the time to go outside, have a walk and soak in the sun. Trust us, you\u2019ll feel way more energised and ready to tackle the next phase of parenthood after this!<\/span><\/p>\n","tips":{"title":"","tips":false}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/wp-api\/wp\/v2\/blogs_articles\/2532","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/wp-api\/wp\/v2\/blogs_articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/wp-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/blogs_articles"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/wp-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/3552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/wp-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2532"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blogs_articles_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/wp-api\/wp\/v2\/blogs_articles_categories?post=2532"},{"taxonomy":"blogs_articles_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pigeon.com.sg\/wp-api\/wp\/v2\/blogs_articles_tags?post=2532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}