Your Baby’s First Month: Day-by-Day with Moms on Call

The first month with your little one is a whirlwind of emotions, milestones, and constant learning. Whether you're a first-time parent, 5th time parent, adopting, fostering, or welcoming your baby through other family dynamics, this guide is here to walk you through those precious and sometimes overwhelming first four weeks. Each day is full of new discoveries, challenges, and moments of pure joy. From weight checks to the first bath, this Moms on Call guide covers the essentials for each day of your baby's first month.

Week 1

• Day 1: No words. You are left breathless as your little one takes their first breath. You take notice of birth weight and length. You may not even notice the pain you just endured. Tears flow, overwhelming emotions. Pause for a moment….

• Day 2: You're still running on adrenaline and marveling at every tiny detail. Use ice and gentle movement to help with recovery from delivery.

• Day 3: Baby's weight may have dropped slightly—this is normal. The word "jaundice" may come up, but don’t panic, the doctor will let you know the next steps. You may head home today.

• Day 4: First night at home—excitement and exhaustion. Feeding frequently and learning how to get them to latch if nursing. This may be a pretty noisy night!

• Day 5: Breasts may feel full, and nipples may be sore if breastfeeding. Be gentle with yourself as feeding becomes more routine.

• Day 6: Expect to get peed on, and you’ll be going through plenty of adorable onesies.

• Day 7: Time for your baby’s first weight check. It's okay if they haven’t reached their birth weight yet—milk may have just come in.

Week 2

• Day 8: Both you and baby are hungry! Don’t forget to eat and hydrate yourself. Continue practicing your swaddle HERE and use the sound machine for naps and nighttime.

• Day 9: The umbilical cord stump is drying up—You may notice some dried blood around the edges. You do want to watch for a smell that will find you down the hall. If that umbilical cord smells then touch base with doc.

• Day 10: Rough night? Totally normal. Take a break, rest (easier said than done), and ask someone to help.

• Day 11: Your baby is eating more, and growth is happening. You may notice your baby drinking more during bottle feeds or taking a bit longer on the breast if nursing. You may also notice the breasts are feeling more “empty” after nursing.

• Day 12: Umbilical cord has fallen off—it’s time for the first bath! Make it a soothing experience with Moms on Call tips. HERE

• Day 13: Baths aren’t always perfect, and there may be some crying and unexpected diaper mishaps. This is normal! Well “tender time” might not have gone as planned. That little one may have cried through the bath and pooped in the towel before you could get the diaper back on. The hospital swaddle is not working.

• Day 14: Second weight check—baby should be back to birth weight. If not, your pediatrician may suggest some additional steps. Once past birthweight and 2 weeks of age you can move to on-demand feedings at night! Great time to reach out to your Moms on Call Consultant.

Week 3

• Day 15: Now you can begin the 2-4 week Moms on Call Routine. Give yourself grace and try to hit your “feed” times. Normal stools can vary with breastfed babies having 8-10 stools a day and formula-fed babies having 3-4. Anything in between is also normal! You should have bought stock in a diaper company.

• Day 16: You may have gotten a 4 hour stretch of sleep last night—celebrate!

• Day 17: The adrenaline is wearing off, and exhaustion is real. Stay in your pajamas, ask for help, and rest when you can.

• Day 18: Last night was rough! It is normal to have a good night and a rough night. Hang in there! Your baby is also staying awake a bit longer and may be fussier in the evenings.

• Day 19: Feedings are becoming more predictable—every 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours.

• Day 20: Spit-up is normal, but watch for excessive or forceful spit-up and consult your pediatrician if concerned.

• Day 21: Your baby’s arms and legs are filling out, and you may notice some “peeling” skin. It will clear up with water and gentle care during bathtime.

Week 4

• Day 22: Time for a walk! Fresh air is good for both you and the baby—aim for 10-20 minutes.

• Day 23: Your baby is starting to “watch” you—Make sure you get in close, smile, and open your eyes big.

• Day 24: Bathtime is a favorite, but post-bath fussiness is not fun. Keep them warm and get them dressed in their pj’s quickly.

• Day 25: Diaper sizing may become an issue—double-check that it's on correctly, or it might be time to size up! Watch the Basics video HERE

• Day 26: Yep, Poop just shot up the back, it's time for bigger diapers.

• Day 27: Bowel movements may slow down, and your baby might be a little gassy—this is normal as their digestive system matures.

• Day 28: Your baby’s head control is improving, and movements are less jerky. Prepare questions for the 1-month checkup about feeding, sleep, and development.  

Your little one is about a month old now—congratulations! Reflect on how far you’ve all come. Things are starting to settle into a rhythm, and you’re learning what works best for you and your family.

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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 medical professionals with pediatric experience who have used Moms on Call within their own homes.