In the first week babies adjust themselves to the life outside their mother’s womb. It is also the time when a new mom adjusts herself to caring for her baby. First week of baby’s life can be really intriguing for the parents and they may be very inquisitive about what’s right or wrong for the baby. Here is a list of what to expect during the first week of your baby’s birth.
Baby weight
Newborn babies normally weigh between 5.5 to 9 pounds. In the first week baby loses about 1\10 th of his\her birth weight by flushing out excess body fluid present at the time of birth. Normally a first week baby will sleep for 10-21 hours in a day. This is important for a healthy growth, though they won’t sleep for long sessions at a stretch. This is because a baby’s stomach is small and therefore, he\she will wake up for a feed.
Feeding
You will need to feed your baby at least 8-12 times a day. Breast-feeding is the best food for the first four months of the baby’s life. It provides the baby with necessary nourishment and protects them against infections by transferring maternal antibodies. Breast feeding can be difficult initially but both you and your baby will get the hang of it in a few days. Feed the baby in a quiet place with as little distractions as possible.
Re-Create Womb like Environment
To help your baby adjust to the life outside the womb re-create for her\him a womb like feeling. Swaddle your baby in a cotton blanket, hold her close to you, give her as much skin to skin contact as possible and let her hear your rhythmic heartbeat, which she is used to listening in your womb.
If you’ve had a vaginal delivery or a long labor your baby may appear red and swollen at the time of birth. This swelling will disappear in the first week and the baby’s facial features will re-align quickly. In the first week baby’s activities will mostly be reflexive. She will recognize her mother’s voice even in a room full of visitors and will turn her head towards it. Later, she’ll start recognizing the other familiar voices that she had heard from the womb.
