Guide to Faqs New Born Care
Your essential guide to newborn care for the first few weeks. Learn about feeding, sleep, hygiene, common conditions, and when to seek medical advice to care for your baby confidently.
Written by Dr. Rohinipriyanka Pondugula
Reviewed by Dr. M L Ezhilarasan MBBS
Last updated on 6th Oct, 2025
Introduction
Bringing your newborn home is a moment of immense joy, but it can also be overwhelming. As a new parent, you’re likely flooded with questions about every little sound, sneeze, and sleep pattern. This comprehensive guide is designed to be your go-to resource, answering the most common questions and calming first-time jitters. We’ll walk you through everything from feeding and sleeping to hygiene and health signs, providing evidence-based advice to help you navigate the precious and demanding first few weeks with confidence.
The First Days: Bringing Your Baby Home
The transition from hospital to home is a significant milestone. Preparation is key to making this shift as smooth as possible for both you and your baby.
1. The Hospital Checklist: What to Bring
Before discharge, ensure you have the essentials ready for the journey home. The hospital will provide a list, but key
items include an approved infant car seat (mandatory for discharge), a going-home outfit appropriate for the weather, a receiving blanket, and a few diapers and wipes. Don’t forget any paperwork provided by the hospital regarding your baby’s birth and initial check-ups.
2. Setting Up a Safe Sleep Environment
Creating a safe sleep space is one of the most critical aspects of newborn care. There are ABCs of safe sleep: Your baby should sleep Alone, on their Back, in a Crib or bassinet that meets safety standards. The sleep surface should be firm and flat, with no soft bedding, pillows, stuffed animals, or loose blankets. A wearable sleep sack is a safer alternative to blankets. This environment significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Consult Top Doctors for Personalised Advice
Feeding Your Newborn: Nutrition FAQs
Whether you choose breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination, ensuring your baby is well-nourished is a top
priority.
1. Breastfeeding Basics: Latch and Frequency
A good latch is crucial for effective breastfeeding. Your baby’s mouth should be wide open, taking in a large portion of the areola, not just the nipple. Signs of a good latch include comfortable feeding for you and audible swallowing for the baby. Newborns typically eat 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, roughly every 2-3 hours. This frequent feeding helps establish
your milk supply.
2. Formula Feeding: Preparation and Quantities
If you are formula feeding, always follow the instructions on the package precisely. Use water that is safe for drinking. Newborns may start with only 1-2 ounces per feeding in the first week, gradually increasing as they grow. Pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues rather than strictly enforcing a schedule. Learn the best way to burp a baby after feeding to prevent gas and discomfort.
3. How to Tell if Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk
Key indicators include:
- Diaper Output: By day 5, expect 5-6 wet diapers and 3-4 soft, yellow stools per day.
- Weight Gain: After an initial weight loss in the first few days, your baby should start gaining weight steadily by the
second week. - Behaviour: A content and satisfied baby after most feedings is a good sign. Signs of dehydration or insufficient feeding, such as fewer wet diapers, sunken soft spot, or unusual lethargy, should prompt a consultation with your paediatrician.
Apollo24|7 offers convenient online paediatric consultations if needed.
Sleep Patterns and Establishing a Routine
Newborn sleep is unpredictable, but understanding their patterns can help manage expectations.
1. Understanding Newborn Sleep Cycles
Newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, but sleep cycles are short (50-60 minutes) and largely in REM sleep, making them
easily awakened. This is normal and supports frequent feeding. While there is no strict newborn sleep schedule week by
week, you can begin differentiating day and night by keeping nights dark and quiet and days brighter.
2. Safe Sleep Practices to Reduce SIDS Risk
Always place your baby on their back for every sleep, day or night. Avoid bed-sharing, which increases the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation. Room-sharing for at least the first six months is recommended. Swaddling can help calm
your baby but ensure it is not too tight and discontinue once your baby shows signs of rolling over.
Hygiene and Diapering 101
Keeping your baby clean is a daily routine that also provides opportunities for bonding.
1. Step-by-Step Guide to Diaper Changing
Have all supplies within reach: a clean diaper, wipes or a basin of warm water with a cloth, and diaper rash cream if
needed. Lay your baby on a safe surface, unfasten the dirty diaper, gently clean the area from front to back, pat dry,
apply barrier cream, and fasten the new diaper. Diaper output is an important indicator of health, as mentioned earlier.
2. Umbilical Cord Stump Care Until It Falls Off
Keep the stump clean and dry. Fold the front of the diaper down to expose it to air. Sponge baths are recommended
until the stump falls off, usually within 1-3 weeks. A small amount of dried blood is normal. Contact your doctor if you
notice pus, redness, swelling, or a foul smell.
3. How to Bathe Your Newborn Safely
Sponge baths are sufficient until the umbilical cord falls off and circumcision wounds heal. Thereafter, 2-3 baths per
week are enough. Use a baby tub with a few inches of warm water, mild baby soap, and work quickly to prevent your
baby from getting cold. Never leave your baby unattended.
Decoding Your Baby’s Health and Development
Knowing what is normal helps you identify when something might be wrong.
1. Common Newborn Conditions: Jaundice, Cradle Cap, and Diaper Rash
Newborns often experience mild, common conditions in their first weeks, such as jaundice, cradle cap, and diaper rash,
which are usually manageable at home with proper care and monitoring.
- Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by elevated bilirubin. Mild cases resolve with frequent feeding; severe
cases require treatment. - Cradle Cap: Crusty or scaly patches on the scalp. Harmless; gently massage with baby oil and brush with a soft brush.
- Diaper Rash: Red, irritated skin in the diaper area. Prevent with frequent changes and barrier cream. Severe rashes should be assessed online by a paediatrician.
2. Recognising Signs of Illness: When to Worry
Contact your doctor immediately if your newborn (under 3 months) shows:
- Rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Difficulty breathing or blue lips
- Lethargy or extreme difficulty waking
- No wet diapers for 6-8 hours
- Forceful vomiting or refusal to feed
3. Tracking Developmental Milestones in the First Month
In the first month, babies strengthen their necks during tummy time, focus on faces, startle at loud noises (Moro reflex),
and communicate primarily through crying. Early interactions build a strong parent-child bond.
Conclusion
The first weeks of parenthood are a unique blend of wonder and challenge. This guide has aimed to equip you with
fundamental knowledge to care for your newborn with confidence. Perfection is not the goal; providing a safe, loving,
and responsive environment is. Questions and uncertainty are normal. Lean on your support system, trust your instincts,
and seek professional guidance when needed. Every feeding, diaper change, and cuddle builds a lasting bond and lays
the foundation for your baby’s growth and well-being.
Consult Top Paediatricians
Consult Top Paediatricians
Dr Yaja Jebaying
Paediatric Gastroenterologist
9 Years • MBBS, MD PEDIATRICS, FELLOWSHIP PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY AND LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Navin Jain
Paediatrician
33 Years • MBBS, DCH
Haralur
KOSMODENT DENTAL STUDIO, Haralur
Dr. Nadia Shagufta
Paediatrician
6 Years • MBBS, MD Pediatrics
Pune
MAMTA POLYCLINIC, PUNE, Pune
Dr. Saugata Bhattacharya
Paediatrician
24 Years • MBBS, DNB (Paediatrics)
WestBengal
Kidney Plus, WestBengal
Dr. Nitin Nayak
Paediatrician
17 Years • MBBS , DCH (Child health) , DNB (Paediatrics)
Bengaluru
R V speciality Clinic, Bengaluru
Consult Top Doctors for Personalised Advice
Dr Yaja Jebaying
Paediatric Gastroenterologist
9 Years • MBBS, MD PEDIATRICS, FELLOWSHIP PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY AND LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Navin Jain
Paediatrician
33 Years • MBBS, DCH
Haralur
KOSMODENT DENTAL STUDIO, Haralur
Dr. Nadia Shagufta
Paediatrician
6 Years • MBBS, MD Pediatrics
Pune
MAMTA POLYCLINIC, PUNE, Pune
Dr. Saugata Bhattacharya
Paediatrician
24 Years • MBBS, DNB (Paediatrics)
WestBengal
Kidney Plus, WestBengal
Dr. Nitin Nayak
Paediatrician
17 Years • MBBS , DCH (Child health) , DNB (Paediatrics)
Bengaluru
R V speciality Clinic, Bengaluru
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How often should I bathe my newborn?
For the first few weeks, 2-3 sponge baths per week are sufficient. Once the umbilical cord falls off, you can transition to tub baths 2-3 times a week to avoid drying out your baby’s skin.
Q2. Is it normal for my newborn to sneeze frequently?
Yes, frequent sneezing is completely normal. It’s a reflex that helps babies clear their tiny nasal passages of dust, lint, or milk residue—not necessarily a sign of a cold.
Q3. What is the best way to take a newborn’s temperature?
For babies under 3 months, a rectal thermometer provides the most accurate reading. A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher warrants an immediate call to your paediatrician.
Q4. How can I tell the difference between spit-up and vomit?
Spit-up is a gentle flow of milk that happens easily, often with a burp. Vomit is forceful (projectile), larger in quantity, and seems painful or distressing for the baby. Persistent vomiting requires medical attention.
Q5. When will my newborn start sleeping through the night?
Most newborns will not 'sleep through the night' (a 6-8 hour stretch) until they are at least 3-4 months old. Their tiny stomachs need frequent refuelling, so waking every 2-4 hours is biologically normal and essential for their growth.