Bringing your newborn baby home for the first time can bring up a lot of emotions. You may feel excited to bring them home but anxious about having to do everything on your own.<\/p>\n
Christopher Wakid, MD<\/a>,\u00a0a pediatrician at OSF HealthCare, shared tips on your baby\u2019s first few days of life.<\/p>\n Every newborn is different, but understanding their basic needs can help you feel more prepared to care for your baby.<\/p>\n \u201cNewborns don\u2019t follow a predictable schedule,\u201d Dr. Wakid said. \u201cEvery baby is different, and what\u2019s normal for one newborn may not be normal for another. Your baby\u2019s eating, sleeping and bowel habits<\/a>\u00a0can change from day to day.\u201d<\/p>\n Newborns need a few consistent things to stay healthy and comfortable: sleep, breast milk\u00a0or formula<\/a>, hygiene and play.<\/p>\n The most important thing when it comes to your baby\u2019s sleep<\/a>\u00a0is keeping them safe. Your baby should sleep in a bed of their own, not in a car seat or swing and not in bed with you. Their bed should be completely empty except for a crib sheet.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep your baby\u2019s room quiet, dark and temperature controlled. Their room should be around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit,\u201d Dr. Wakid said.<\/p>\n Babies usually sleep around 16 hours a day.<\/p>\n It will take time for your baby to establish a regular sleeping routine. For the first three or four months, it\u2019s normal for babies to get their days and nights mixed up. This can mean some babies sleep all day and are awake a lot through the night.<\/p>\n Many new parents find lack of sleep to be one of the hardest parts of caring for a newborn. While this uncertain schedule can be exhausting, frequent waking is normal during the first few months and is an important part of making sure your baby gets the nourishment they need.<\/p>\n For at least the first four months of life, babies need to wake up at least once during the night to eat. As your baby grows, their sleep patterns will gradually change, and they will begin sleeping for longer stretches at night.<\/p>\n If you think your baby isn\u2019t sleeping as well as they should, your child\u2019s pediatrician can help you find strategies that may help your baby sleep through the night<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSwaddling is not a requirement, but many babies find it soothing,\u201d Dr. Wakid said.<\/p>\n Babies don\u2019t have control of their arms and legs. So, sometimes they stay awake or get fussy just because their arms are moving when they don\u2019t want them to.<\/p>\nWhat does a newborn need?<\/h2>\n
Sleep<\/h3>\n
How to Swaddle a Baby<\/h4>\n