Your Baby and You: Week One

Highlights

• Your Baby 
• Things To Do With Your Baby This Week
• All About You This Week
• Your Weekly Checklist

YOUR BABY

Weight & Appearance: What to expect

The average weight of a full-term baby is around 7.5lbs, but there is a huge range around this mark so if your baby was born at 6lbs or even 9lbs they are still classed as being a normal birthweight.

A newborn's genitalia may be swollen but will return to normal quite soon. Some babies develop swollen 'breasts' and may even have a small amount of milk discharge from their nipples during the early days. Read more about these common, but temporary, features in Your Newborn's Appearance.

Physical Development: Very early days

Always support your baby's head when holding them. Their head is heavy in relation to the rest of their body and their neck isn't yet strong enough to support it unassisted.

Your baby will already have grasped the sucking reflex. If you ever see a baby breastfeed within minutes of being born it is quite incredible and very impressive for something otherwise so dependent and helpless!

The first poo from an infant is called meconium. It is thick and sticky and very dark in colour but within a few days your baby will start passing lighter coloured bowel movements - although the colour, consistency and smell will vary depending on whether you breastfeed or formula feed your baby.

Behavioural Development

Everyone will ask you about your baby's behaviour, is he quiet or does he cry a lot? Is he feeding well and letting you get some sleep? At week 1 it's much too early to draw any conclusions on the behavioural nature of your child. Many parents find that their children are quite easy and relatively quiet in the first week after their arrival but they might change quite rapidly over coming weeks. Once any trauma from the birth wears off, as baby finds their voice and their appetite increases you could find the volume picks up and the sleep patterns get more interesting!

Feeding: Getting to grips with breast or bottle

If you are in two minds as to which feeding method to use, then it is best to give breastfeeding a try from the beginning because if you're going to do it, you need to do it from the start. You can change from breast to formula, but not the other way around. Once your milk supply dries up (which it will if you are not breastfeeding) then it will not be possible to restart the supply again. If you are finding breastfeeding difficult or uncomfortable then look at our section on getting started with breastfeeding for information, and also find out what support is available to you locally.

'Spitting up' or reflux (when babies bring up some of their milk after a feed) is actually very common and in most cases it doesn't represent a health problem. Especially if:

• Your baby is gaining weight at an acceptable rate (your health visitor should provide you with a chart with which you can monitor this)
• Your baby has plenty of wet nappies every day (at least 5 in 24 hours from the end of week 1).

Try putting your baby in an upright position for at least half an hour after a feed (without too much pressure on their tummy) to help them to digest their feed more effectively. See our article on reflux for more information.

Care Advice: So many things in one week!

Your baby can receive their routine Vitamin K dose (which helps to thicken the blood and reduce the risk of a rare bleeding disorder called haemorrhagic disease of the newborn) via injection or orally. Read more here about making this choice.

When your baby is first delivered you may notice that their skin is covered in a pale waxy substance, known as vernix. You tend to notice more the earlier a baby is born. Where possible you should leave the vernix on the baby's skin and let it absorb naturally as it helps to protect their very delicate skin, moisturising and protecting against peeling.

Some people are surprised at just how much of the umbilical cord stump is left still attached to their baby. It is normal for the stump to remain attached for 5-15 days, turning gradually darker in colour and drying out. Keep the area around the cord clean and dry and allow air to circulate around it where possible. Never pull or encourage the stump to come off, you must let it come off in its own time. If you suspect that the umbilical cord stump has become infected (red or inflamed skin around the base or a foul smelling odour) then it is very important that you seek advice with your midwife or GP.

Your baby seems so fragile in the early days, handling, dressing and changing them can be daunting tasks. You will gain confidence very quickly but it is normal to feel worried about dropping or accidentally hurting them to begin with. Remember these helpful tips:

• Always support their head because their necks are still very weak.
• Lie them on a cushion (one that they cannot roll off) to feed them for extra support and comfort.
• Get organised for changing times to make the process faster, especially if your baby doesn't like being changed. Have a warm surface to lie them on (a towel on your changing mat will take the chill off), have your nappies and wipes (or cotton wool and water) to hand and make sure that their fresh clothes are ready to put on.
• Feed or change your baby in a private room, until you feel confident doing it in front of visitors.

It goes without saying that nobody should smoke around your baby. Keeping them away from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke also means not allowing people to smoke in your home - even if the baby is in another room. You should also endeavour to prevent your baby from being held by someone who has been smoking as there will be a strong residue of smoke on their hands and clothes.

If you have chosen to have your baby circumcised then it will probably be done within the first 48 hours of his arrival. Make sure that you follow the care advice given to you by the doctor and keep an eye out for any signs of infection.

Remember that in the early days it is best to have your baby sleeping in your room. Keep an eye on their temperature and dress them accordingly, and remember to always sleep them on their back with their feet at the foot of the crib or Moses basket. Read our articles on sleeping to find out more.

Safety Advice: Sleeping

Babies can be very sleepy during their first week at home. Whilst the quiet is helpful for you, it is important not to let them go too long between feeds. As tempting as it is to leave a sleeping baby you may have to wake them at regular intervals to ensure they have enough milk.

Be mindful of what you lay your baby on. Don't leave them to sleep on soft or plush surfaces such as bean bags, cushions or furry blankets where their mouth may get obstructed.

Common illnesses: Sneezing & Jaundice

If your baby is sneezing, they may have picked up a cold but it could also be a natural result of their still being some amniotic fluid in their nasal passages. If your baby shows signs of any other symptoms - especially a raised temperature, then seek further advice.

Early health checks on your baby will reveal whether your baby has any signs of jaundice, a yellowing of the skin pigmentation. It is very common in newborns and mild cases usually resolve themselves without treatment within 10-14 days. If you suspect that your baby has jaundice but has not been diagnosed professionally then contact your midwife for advice.

THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK

Activities: Skin to Skin

Indulge in as much skin to skin contact with your baby as you can. Most people agree that it is both physiologically and emotionally beneficial for your baby, as well as being enjoyable for parents.

ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK

Your Body: Recovering after the birth

The last nine months may have seemed like a roller coaster ride for your body but the initial days and weeks after the birth can make that seem like a walk in the park!

Post partum recovery varies dramatically from one woman to the next. Try not to compare your experience too much to that of other women. Listen to your body and don't push yourself too hard to be out and about if you're not ready to be.

• Caesarean section? You need to follow your doctor's advice for keeping it clean and avoid lifting wherever possible.
• Natural delivery? Careful perineal care will speed your recovery. Keep the area clean using plain water, wear breathable underwear and remember to continue with your pelvic floor exercises.
• Rest is important to aid your recovery whichever type of delivery you had.

People may ask about 'your milk coming in' - essentially this refers to the time when your body starts producing milk (as opposed to just colostrum), and you might find yourself with swollen boobs often around day 3. The engorgement (swelling) is only temporary. Once your milk starts flowing your body will find its own rhythm, supplying as much as your baby needs. If you choose not to breastfeed then your breasts will return to a non-lactating state usually within 7-10 days after delivery. Try relieving any discomfort from swelling with these tips:

• Cold flannels on your boobs
• Cabbage leaves in your bra (yes really!)
• Wear a supportive bra, but one that isn't too tight

Postpartum bleeding is to be expected after the birth and some women bleed more heavily than others. However, postpartum haemorrhage is a very serious condition, where excessive bleeding occurs (usually from the uterus), it requires immediate medical attention if you have the following symptoms:

• Usually occurs during the first 24 hours of delivery
• Significant loss of blood (officially more than 500ml but ask a doctor if you are unsure)
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fever

Are you getting some strong period type pains? This is probably the result of your uterus contracting back to its normal size. If you are breastfeeding then you may experience greater contractions whilst feeding because during a feed your body produces a hormone, oxytocin, which triggers contractions. These pains will die down with each successive day after delivery (they take longer the more babies you've had), usually disappearing in a few days.

You should receive a standard medical check at 72 hours post-delivery, this may be at home if you have been discharged, or else it will take place in hospital. Of course if you have any questions after this appointment then you can contact your midwife, the hospital or your GP.

Your Emotions: Hard to keep up with?

This week you may experience the tearful blues, complete elation and everything in between. Your body is undergoing some big hormonal changes which are bound to send you off balance. Plus the physical exertions of labour, or recovering from a caesarean whilst getting to grips with your feelings for your newborn baby (which can be overwhelming) mean that an emotional rollercoaster is inevitable. You may have heard of 'Day 3' - it isn't always day 3 in fact, but most commonly this is when your milk comes in and many women find that it can bring with it a surprising attack of the baby blues. Knowing that all of this is normal will help you to get through it, these symptoms don't last forever. In fact by next week you will probably feel different again (although it would be unfair to suggest that this will be the end of your weepy moments, sorry!).

Embarrassed about breast feeding? Up until now the sight of your breasts was probably reserved for just your partner, and getting them out in front of others to feed your baby can take some getting used to. Remember:

• Breastfeeding is absolutely nothing to feel ashamed of
• Bear in mind that you will get more comfortable with it over time
• People can rarely see as much of your breast as you imagine they can
• Very often people don't even realise what you are doing
• The majority of people are not at all concerned about women breastfeeding in public

Your Relationships: You & your partner

The birth of your baby may bring you and your partner closer together immediately, or it may make you feel distant from one another. Both effects are entirely normal. Whilst you have been through a lot both physically and emotionally, they too may have been shocked or distressed by the experience. Give them time to get over these feelings and to discuss them with you if they like.

• Communicate openly with one another so that you both know how the other one is feeling
• Encourage your partner to be involved with the day to day care of your baby right from the start
• Remember though that it can take some time for either parent to bond with their babies, don't rush things for your partner, give them time

Things to do

Start your lists! Having things written down is an easy way of keeping organised and keeping your stress levels down.

• Keep a notepad handy at all times, or a note taker app on your smartphone
• Note all the presents you receive and who they are from so you can send thank you notes (if you ever find the time!)
• Note times and lengths (or volumes) of feeds and which side you last fed on if you are breast feeding
• Note the frequency of your baby's wet and dirty nappies

Time for yourself - Treats and healthy food

Have a glass of champagne or indulge in a favourite treat when you feel ready for it, you deserve it! Beyond this make sure that you take any given opportunity to rest. Read more here about the importance of rest with a newborn baby and tips on how to avoid exhaustion.

Keeping your strength up, and maintaining your health post pregnancy (especially if you are breastfeeding) requires a sensible healthy and varied diet - this is no time for crash dieting! You can boost your vitamin levels by taking a postnatal vitamin. These can be bought from most chemists and supermarket, but always check with your doctor before taking them, and never replace a good diet with vitamin pills.

YOUR WEEKLY CHECKLIST

(Helping to keep you organised!)

Routine medical appointments

Newborn check for your baby: within 72 hours of their arrival (at home or in hospital)

Heel prick test for your baby: between the age 5-8 days

Most women are discharged from hospital soon after the birth but don't worry, postnatal care doesn't end here. You and your baby will be monitored at routine postnatal checks and health visitor or GP care will be on hand once you are discharged from midwife care.

If ever you think that you are not receiving adequate care or attention, or if you want to seek medical advice between routine appointments never feel shy about making an appointment to see your health visitor.