Your baby is now one week old! Does pregnancy already feel far away? The first few days as a new parent can be overwhelming and a lot of new things can happen in a very short time for both the new mother and the baby. Take each day as it comes and try to relax in all the newness.

How does a newborn baby sleep?

Newborns don't know the difference between day and night in the early days, but your baby will learn the difference eventually. To promote sleep at night, it's important to keep the bedroom dark (really dark!), make sure it's cool and that your little one is full at bedtime. In the early days, you may need to change a diaper at night if your baby has pooped, but if it's just pee, it can wait until the morning, unless you notice that your baby is bothered by a full diaper, then of course it's fine to change. 

Some people find that their babies are shallow sleepers and this is because children's sleep cycles and deep sleep are much shorter than adults'. Children wake up easily between sleep cycles and want to make sure that everything is "as it should be" and that the parent is close. A warm hand on the tummy can be enough to make your little one feel safe and go back to sleep. It may be a good idea to wait a little before "disturbing" them unnecessarily, for example by lifting them up. If they don't go back to sleep, try to accept the situation and leave it at that. Even if you had hoped for a longer sleep, you will probably feel calmer if you accept what is. Help each other if you are two parents and try to remember that this newborn period is temporary and that you as a family will find routines later on. For now, everything is new for your baby who is slowly adapting to life outside the womb.

Why is it recommended that babies sleep on their backs? 

You've probably been advised to put your baby to sleep on its back to reduce sudden infant death syndrome. For many, however, this can be a difficult equation to reconcile, as newborns often want to lie close. For example, it is not uncommon to lie down with the baby on its side or stomach in the first few weeks, as many babies feel most comfortable there. This is fine as long as you, the parent, are awake and supervising! The reason for this advice is that babies can easily lose their free airway when lying on their side or stomach.

The umbilical stump - what happens to it?

When the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut, but a small piece of the umbilical stump is saved and then comes off within 7-10 days. Before it falls off and after it does, you can wash your belly button with a cotton bud dipped in lukewarm water. This will easily remove any blood residue or if there is a little bleeding/watering, which is perfectly normal. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get very red, start bleeding, ooze a lot or smell strong. Your BVC nurse will look at your belly button during your first visits, so if you're unsure, it's always good to ask again! And remember, you can always call the BVC if you want advice.

How do you know when a newborn baby is hungry? 

It can be difficult to tell when your baby is hungry. Something to look out for is if your baby is 'searching' for something with his mouth (gaping and turning his head), pecking at your chest or something else (like a baby bird), or licking around his mouth, smacking or sucking on his hands.

In the first few weeks, your baby may want to eat every 15 minutes and sometimes more frequently. Everything is normal, just try to keep up with your baby's rhythm. As long as your baby is gaining weight and following their curve, they are eating enough.

Getting to know your baby takes time, just like with any other human being, so if you don't quite understand each other yet, be patient. And remember, it's okay to think it's tough, stressful or not as cozy as you imagined. Be kind to yourself, lower your standards and take one day at a time. Maybe even an hour at a time for the first few weeks! You're doing great, and you're the best person for your baby.

Curious about what's happening in week three? Read more here!