You’ve just welcomed your beautiful new baby into the world. After months of pregnancy, appointments, and anticipation, your baby is finally here.
But what happens now?
The first week after birth is a time of enormous change. You are learning who your baby is, how to respond to their cues, and how to care for them while also recovering from birth yourself. Many new mothers describe this week as both magical and overwhelming.
Your body is healing, your hormones are shifting rapidly, and you are adjusting to a completely new rhythm of life.
It can feel like a juggling act, and it’s remarkable how much chaos a tiny newborn can bring into your home in just a few days.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what you might expect during the first week after birth, along with some practical tips to help you navigate these early days.
The First 24 Hours After Birth
Many babies have a surprisingly sleepy first 24 hours.
If you are still in the postnatal ward, you might look around at the other unsettled, wakeful babies and quietly believe you have given birth to a wonderfully calm little sleeper!
In reality, your baby is often simply recovering from the effort of being born, while many of the other babies around you may be a day or two older.
Birth is hard work for babies as well as mothers.
During these first hours, your baby may sleep for longer stretches and wake briefly for feeds before drifting off again.
Try to rest when you can
You may feel full of adrenaline after the birth. Many mothers describe feeling energised or euphoric after meeting their baby, which is completely normal.
However, your body has just gone through an extraordinary physical event. Even if you cannot sleep much, try to rest and relax as much as possible.
Your baby may become much more wakeful over the next day or two, so taking the opportunity to rest early can help.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Spending plenty of time skin-to-skin with your baby in the first days after birth has many benefits.
Skin-to-skin contact helps:
- Promote bonding between you and your baby
- Encourage breastfeeding
- Support your baby’s transition from the womb to the outside world
Research shows that skin-to-skin contact helps newborns regulate:
- heart rate
- breathing
- temperature
Newborn babies are not yet very good at regulating their own body temperature, so keeping them close to your body can help keep them warm and settled.
When your baby is not skin-to-skin, ensure they are appropriately dressed and wrapped to stay comfortable.
Feeding in the First Days
Some babies appear to know exactly how to feed from the moment they are born.
However, it is very common for feeding to take time to establish.
Both you and your baby are learning a new skill.
Try to be patient with yourself and your baby in these early days.
Feeding cues
Ideally, babies are fed when they show signs they are hungry. Early feeding cues may include:
- stirring from sleep
- bringing hands to mouth
- rooting (turning their head towards your touch)
- opening their mouth
Crying is often a late hunger cue, so feeding earlier cues can help keep feeding calmer.
If your baby is very sleepy
Some newborns remain quite drowsy in the first 24 hours. If you are unsure about feeding cues, a helpful guideline is to offer feeds every 3–4 hours.
This guidance applies whether you are:
- breastfeeding
- combination feeding
- formula feeding
Frequent feeding in the early days helps establish milk supply and ensures babies stay well hydrated.
Ask for help if you need it
If you are unsure about feeding, don’t hesitate to ask for help from the midwives caring for you. They can support you with:
- positioning and attachment for breastfeeding
- recognising feeding cues
- ensuring your baby is feeding effectively
Feeding can feel challenging in the beginning, but most parents find it becomes much easier with time and support.
Your Body in the First Week
While you are learning to care for your baby, your body is also beginning the process of recovery.
Some common changes during the first week include:
Postnatal bleeding
Bleeding after birth (called lochia) is completely normal. It often starts quite heavy and bright red in the first few days before gradually becoming lighter.
Bleeding may increase slightly after breastfeeding or physical activity, as your uterus contracts.
Afterpains
You may notice cramping in your lower abdomen, especially when breastfeeding. These afterpains occur as the uterus contracts and shrinks back towards its pre-pregnancy size.
They are usually stronger after subsequent births.
Perineal discomfort
If you had stitches or swelling around the perineum, you may experience soreness when sitting or moving. Keeping the area clean and allowing time for rest can help with healing.
Tiredness
Even if you had a straightforward birth, the physical and emotional adjustment to life with a newborn can leave you feeling very tired.
Sleep will likely come in short bursts for now, so accepting help from others can make a big difference.
Emotional Changes
Many women experience powerful emotional changes in the first week after birth.
Hormone levels drop quickly after delivery, and combined with exhaustion and the adjustment to caring for a newborn, this can bring emotional ups and downs.
You might experience:
- tearfulness
- feeling overwhelmed
- moments of self-doubt
- intense feelings of love and protectiveness
These emotional shifts are often referred to as the “baby blues” and are very common in the early days.
However, if feelings of sadness or anxiety feel persistent or overwhelming, it’s important to speak with your midwife, GP, or health visitor.
Practical Tips for the First Week
The early days with a newborn are about adjustment rather than perfection.
Some helpful tips include:
- Focus on rest, feeding, and recovery
- Accept help from friends or family when offered
- Keep meals simple and nourishing
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially if breastfeeding
- Try to sleep when your baby sleeps when possible
Remember that everything is new for both you and your baby. It takes time to find your rhythm.
A Final Thought
The first week after birth can feel like a blur of feeds, nappies, emotions, and very little sleep.
Some moments may feel overwhelming, but many parents also describe this time as incredibly special.
Be gentle with yourself as you recover and adjust. You have just achieved something extraordinary.
And remember, you don’t have to navigate this time alone. Midwives, health visitors, and your wider support network are there to help you through these early days.
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