The First Two Weeks at Home with Your Newborn Baby

Now, what can you expect in the first two weeks at home with a newborn? This is the moment you have longed for and anticipated. You have meticulously prepared for this day and set up a unique space in your home for your precious little one. Finally, the time has come to bring your baby home! Hooray! This is not just a cause for celebration; it is a truly momentous occasion that will forever hold a place in your cherished memories. And how can you make sure you are fully prepared for this joyous arrival?

During these initial two weeks, the focus lies on bonding, adjusting, and embracing an abundance of patience. However, there are numerous steps you can take to establish a strong foundation for your baby's overall well-being and ensure a good start in terms of sleep.

Here is a quick breakdown of what the day-to-day routine looks like during the first two weeks at home.

• Feed on demand every 2-3 hours
  • From the start of one feeding to the start of the next!
• We are feeding for 30-45 minutes from start to finish, including burping (for both breast and bottle-fed babies).
  • Try and spend about 2-3 minutes burping (do it ¾ of the way through the feeding and at the end).
• Keeping baby awake for feedings can be the most challenging part!
  • Scratch the bottoms of their feet.
  • Undress them down to the diaper.
  • You can also wipe their heads with a cool washcloth to help them stay awake for the feeding.
• Extend tons of grace – you are both just getting the hang of this!
  • Those first two weeks are a transition period for the entire family.
  • You’ve got this!
• Then if baby is healthy and gaining weight, we can adjust to the 2-4 Week Typical Day Schedule found in the Moms on Call Resources.
  • Babies with GI reflux are considered “healthy” as long as they are gaining weight

Sleep: The First Two Weeks

• One common worry among new mothers is that their baby's sleep schedule becomes reversed, with more wakefulness at night.
  • A simple and effective solution to reverse this pattern is to expose your baby to the outdoors. Fresh air and sunlight boost your mood and play a crucial role in establishing circadian rhythms, helping your little one differentiate between day and night. Additionally, keeping the lights on in your home and maintaining normal daytime noises can aid in this adjustment process.
• We highly recommend swaddling your baby with their arms down by their sides, both during daytime and nighttime sleep, using the Moms on Call Swaddle & Technique.
  • By envisioning the cozy environment of your womb, you can understand how swaddling provides a sense of security for your little one.
  • Swaddling with arms by their sides also helps prevent their startle reflex from disturbing their sleep.
  • For optimal nighttime rest, it is beneficial to create a dark environment in the room (utilizing blackout shades can be incredibly helpful).
  • If you are interested in learning the proper technique for swaddling, you can find a detailed guide on the Moms on Call Swaddle Technique here .
• To ensure safe and comfortable sleep for your baby, we strongly recommend providing a safe sleep environment, such as a crib or bassinet, for all unsupervised sleep.
  • It's essential to keep the crib free of any objects except for a fitted crib sheet, with the baby securely swaddled and placed on their back.
    • Your baby's crib should be less than five years old with a new mattress , mattress cover, and tight-fitted crib sheet.
• Recall the snug surroundings of the womb. Now imagine adding the soothing sound of a white noise machine that replicates the gentle hum of the womb's ambiance.
  • Combining the swaddle with white noise creates a comforting atmosphere for your baby, reminiscent of their time in the womb.
• Maintain the room temperature of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal comfort during sleep.

Visitors: The First Two Weeks

When it comes to visitors, every mom has her own feelings and preferences. Some moms may love having visitors, while others may feel their anxiety levels rise at the thought. Regardless of where you stand, it's important to be comfortable with both saying yes and saying no. Remember, you are the mom and your well-being matters. If you need a break, don't hesitate to excuse yourself and take some time to rest.

Of course, visitors are excited to see you, but let's be honest, they're primarily there to meet the newest addition to the family. Having a visible bottle of hand sanitizer serves as a gentle reminder for anyone holding the baby to wash and sanitize their hands beforehand.

Meal trains can be a wonderful way for friends to support you and help you through those initial weeks. However, it's important to check in with yourself and your baby. Just because someone is scheduled to visit at 5 pm doesn't mean you have to entertain them for an entire hour. Don't feel guilty about delegating the chatting to your partner or asking for a porch drop-off if you're feeling overwhelmed. Trust that anyone who has experienced having a baby will understand without a second thought. As for friends who have not yet had babies, they will likely be grateful for the opportunity to serve you, even if they don't get the face-to-face time they anticipated. You can always reconnect with them when you're ready for more visitors!

Want more personalized support? With each and every Moms on Call Consulting experience, we have one goal in mind— to equip you with the confidence you need to become the best parent possible for your child . We are proud to partner with Certified Consultants who are uniquely trained to work with families utilizing the Moms on Call philosophy. All consultants are licensed nurses with pediatric experience who have used Moms on Call within their own homes. Book your personal consultation with one of our Premier Certified Moms on Call Consultants!