What to expect 0-3 weeks
The first few weeks with a newborn can leave you with a mix of emotions, anywhere from pure joy to complete exhaustion. Remember that this is a new experience for you as a family and it will take time and patience for you to get to know one another.
As your baby grows, their needs will change with regards to feeding, sleep and awake times but in these early weeks, their needs are very simple.
Let your baby lead when it comes to feeding and sleep and don’t worry about ‘bad habits’ forming – it is still very early days.
- A ‘day’ in your newborn’s world is the full 24 hours
- They will have between 6-10 feeds during this time
- Feed cycles will be anywhere between 2.5-4 hourly
- There are many different options when it comes to feeding. Seek advice if you are unsure about which technique works best for you and your family
Organising your support network early on, will make life so much easier in the early weeks. Remember to take care of yourself and be open to accepting any offers of help – whether this is in the form of food, housework or simply taking the dog for a walk.
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Dr Christine Catling Follow +
Dr Christine Catling, a midwife for over 25 years, is the Director of Midwifery Studies at UTS. She believes research, innovation and good quality midwifery are pivotal to the well-being of mothers and young families. Christine has extensive experience in antenatal education, policy development and research, and has published on workforce issues, homebirth, vaginal birth...
