The first 10 days with your newborn: what to expect
The first days rarely look like what you pictured. Here are the markers to tell what's normal from what deserves a medical opinion.
Sleep (or the lack of it)
A newborn sleeps 16 to 18 hours a day, but never for long stretches: their sleep cycle lasts about 2 to 3 hours, day and night blurred together. It's not a problem to fix, it's simply the physiology of the first weeks.
Weight loss, normal within a certain range
It's normal for a baby to lose up to 7-10% of their birth weight in the first days, before regaining it around day 10-15. The midwife or pediatrician tracks this curve closely.
Milk coming in
This usually happens between day 3 and day 5, with a feeling of engorged breasts and sometimes a brief low-grade fever. It's not universal, nor the same intensity for every woman.
When to worry
- Fever in the baby, unusual lethargy, difficulty feeding
- Weight loss over 10%, or no recovery by day 15
- For the mother: fever, heavy bleeding, intense pain
Feeding rhythm
A newborn feeds every 2 to 3 hours, roughly 8 to 12 times a day, including overnight. This is normal and temporary: the rhythm gradually spaces out after the first few weeks.
The umbilical cord and jaundice
- The cord falls off on its own between day 5 and day 15, just keep it clean and dry
- Mild jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes) affects a large share of newborns around day 2-4 and clears up on its own; beyond that it needs a medical check
The partner's role
Support isn't only about the baby: managing visits, meals, and daily tasks in the first days has a direct impact on the mother's recovery.
During this intense time, you shouldn't also have to manage unwanted gifts: with Kickoala, your registry lets loved ones give you exactly what you need.