So you’ve got a newborn. You’re overwhelmed, you’re tired, and suddenly you’re supposed to be some expert in feeding, burping, bathing, and soothing—all before sunrise. This guide is here to make things practical. Not a textbook, not a lecture. Just what works.
Contents
Start With the Basics: Feed, Sleep, Clean
There’s a reason these three things come up first in every conversation. If they’re handled right, most other things settle down naturally.
Feeding
Breastfeeding or formula? People turn this into a debate, but the real answer is: whatever keeps your baby full, gaining weight, and helps you function.
- Breastfeeding tips: Keep it skin-to-skin early on. The first few days are clumsy for everyone. Use lanolin. Don’t wait until you’re cracked and bleeding to call a lactation consultant.
- Formula feeding? Warm the bottle to body temp, keep air out of the nipple, and track ounces. There’s no shame in formula. Fed is the goal. Not fed-from-a-specific-source.
Sleep
Don’t expect patterns right away. Babies are random in the beginning.
- First few weeks: Sleep in short chunks, often 2–3 hours at a time.
- Set a daytime vs nighttime tone: Bright and noisy in the day, dark and quiet at night.
- Avoid sleep crutches: You don’t need to bounce for 45 minutes every nap. Swaddling, white noise, and a calm room help them learn how to fall asleep themselves.
Diapering and Clean-Up
- Change often: Every 2–3 hours or after every poop. It prevents rashes.
- Keep it simple: Use warm water and cotton for newborns instead of wipes if the skin looks irritated.
- Watch the belly button: Sponge baths only until the stump falls off. Don’t pick it.
Health: What Actually Matters
You don’t need to Google every sneeze or hiccup. Here’s what to focus on:
Doctor Visits
Stick to the vaccination and check-up schedule. These aren’t just to weigh the baby. Pediatricians check head shape, reflexes, hip development, and other stuff you can’t really track at home.
Temperature
- Normal range is around 97–100.3°F (36.1–37.9°C). Anything over 100.4°F (38°C) in a newborn means call the doctor.
- Use a rectal thermometer. Every other kind is just guessing in the early months.
Signs to Watch
- Yellowing skin/eyes? Might be jaundice. Needs a light check.
- Struggling to breathe, pulling in ribs while inhaling, or blue lips? ER, not Google.
- Crying that can’t be soothed and high-pitched? Get checked out. Trust your gut.
Building a Bond While Staying Sane
Parenting isn’t just about getting through the day. It’s about showing up in a way your kid can rely on—even when you’re running on fumes.
Skin-to-Skin Isn’t Just for Birth
Holding your baby against your chest helps regulate their breathing and heart rate. It builds connection fast. Works for dads too, not just moms.
Talk To Your Baby
You don’t need to recite poetry. Just narrate what you’re doing. “Changing your diaper now, then we’re going to feed.” It builds language early and helps them know your voice.
Don’t Perform for Instagram
You don’t need milestone photos, matching outfits, or curated nursery walls. Your baby doesn’t care. What they care about is if you’re present. That’s it.
Routines That Actually Help
Don’t chase Pinterest perfection. Start with patterns that make the day feel doable.
- Morning: Wake, feed, diaper change, little bit of sunlight (even by a window).
- Midday: Tummy time, a short walk outside, another feed.
- Evening: Bath if needed, softer lights, no loud screens. Set the tone.
Taking Care of Yourself Too
This part matters. A baby with a burned-out parent isn’t winning. You don’t need to be selfish. You just need to stay steady.
- Hydrate and eat. Seriously. You’ll forget unless someone reminds you.
- Sleep in shifts if you’ve got a partner. One handles 9pm–2am, the other 2am–7am.
- Step outside daily, even if it’s just for five minutes. Fresh air resets your head.
What To Ignore
Some advice out there sounds helpful but does more harm than good.
- “Never hold the baby too much or you’ll spoil them.”
→ False. You can’t spoil a newborn. - “If the baby cries, let them cry it out.”
→ Not in the first 3–4 months. They don’t have that kind of emotional regulation yet. - “You have to do X, or your baby will fall behind.”
→ No they won’t. There’s a wide range of normal. Trust your pediatrician, not comment sections.
Final Thought
Raising a baby isn’t about mastering some master plan. It’s about paying attention. Feed them. Hold them. Learn their signs. Take care of yourself. Show up again the next day.
Everything else? You’ll figure it out.