What is the toughest week for a newborn?

The first six to eight weeks of a new baby's life are usually the most difficult. While many of the hardships of early motherhood are not widely discussed (if at all), there are a number of frequent obstacles you may encounter during this period.

Can a baby sense its mother?

According to research, your baby experiences the same emotions that you do throughout pregnancy—and with equal intensity. That implies that if you cry, your kid experiences the same feeling as if it were their own. During the gestation period, your baby prepares for life in the outer world.

What Baby's First Day Home Is Really Like?

The initial days in the hospital with a baby may have gone smoother than you realised at the time. Nurses looked after your needs, someone brought you food, you could sleep, and a lactation consultant was only a phone call away. Assuming your delivery was simple, and does not require further hospitalisation, you will return home within two to four days. Homecoming can cause a lot of overwhelming emotions, sleep deprivation, and mood changes due to fluctuating hormones. To help you prepare, here's what to expect on Day 1 for you and your newly extended family.

What's it like for a baby?

Baby is just a few days old and is adjusting to life outside your womb, which is major work! Expect them to do a lot of eating, urinating, sleeping, and crying on their first day back home.

Eating: Newborns have stomachs the size of a Ping-Pong ball and eat every two to four hours, for a total of eight to twelve feeding sessions each day. Do not feel obligated to follow a routine straight away. Instead, if you are nursing, attempt to feed on demand. "Breastfeeding meets so many needs—warmth, the need to suck, skin-to-skin contact, the desire to be held," explains Ms Amrita A Sivasanker, Department of Child Health Nursing, SSNSR, Sharda University.

Pooping and peeing: In the first day or two of life, meconium, a thick, tar-like substance, should be replaced by greenish transitional stools. These will eventually become yellowish and may contain small "seeds." You should expect to see at least three to six wet nappies each day.

Sleeping: "When a baby comes home, they're incredibly tired," says Ms. Amrita. "The journey will be tough. It may be the baby's first exposure to fresh air, cold, sun, and the outside world. So a short drive will result in a very tired infant.

Crying (or other sounds): Crying is the way newborns convey their wants, whether they are hungry, uncomfortable, cranky, or want to suck. Once the need is met, your child should quiet down. When holding and rocking the infant doesn't seem to help, experts recommend cupping the baby's head in your hands, elevating it gently, and whispering to them calmly. Most babies will stop crying as they try to hear you. They will also open their eyes to gaze at you. If your infant is crying regardless of what you do, contact your paediatrician.

When to contact the doctor?

The skin remains blue throughout: If your baby has blue arms and feet that do not revert to a normal pink despite being warmed up, it could be a cause for concern. It is even more alarming if their entire body turns blue. These could be symptoms indicating impaired heart and lung function.

Yellowing of the skin and eyes: These are usually indications of jaundice.

Vomiting occurred repeatedly: This is more intense and louder than spitting up. While sometimes this might suggest the baby is sensitive to anything in your breast milk or formula, it is more probable that the baby has an intestinal blockage, gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), or an infection such as rotavirus.

Rashes: If you notice redness, puffiness, and pus surrounding the umbilical cord stump, you should call the doctor, as these are all signs of an infection.

Extreme lethargy: If your baby is waking up constantly around the four-hour mark, your doctor may want to check for infection and make sure they're gaining weight and are well-fed.

Rectal temperature value of 100.4 F or higher: A high fever in a baby indicates a dangerous illness that requires prompt examination.

Coughing: Anything more than small sputters while feeding (caused by milk getting in too rapidly) might be an indicator of respiratory problems.

Less than three wet nappies in 24 hours: The baby is displaying indications of dehydration and insufficient feedings. Dark yellow or pink-tinged urine is a sign of dehydration.

Any major changes in the baby's appearance and behaviour: For example, a faint scream, continuous sobbing, or poor sucking reflexes are causes for concern.

What is it like mentally for a new mother?

The first 24 hours (and possibly longer) will undoubtedly be an emotional roller coaster. Once your baby arrives, your body attempts to balance hormones that may cause mood swings like weepiness, excitement, and irritability all of which are exacerbated by the extreme physical effort and lack of sleep. Not unexpectedly, the baby blues might appear at the same time, during the first week postpartum.

Fatigue is likely to mess with your brain, particularly when you haven't slept much since early labour. When everyone finally goes to bed, you're probably wide awake, checking on the infant to make sure everything is well.

FAQs on What Baby's First Day Home Is Really Like

What is the toughest week for a newborn?
The first six to eight weeks of a new baby's life are usually the most difficult. While many of the hardships of early motherhood are not widely discussed (if at all), there are a number of common obstacles you may encounter during this period.
Can a baby sense its mother?
According to research, your baby experiences the same emotions that you do throughout pregnancy, and with equal intensity. That implies that if you cry, your child experiences the same feeling as if it were their own. During the gestation period, your baby prepares for life in the outer world.