The Trip Home
For the trip home—as with all your car trips—place your baby in a car seat appropriate for their size, facing away from the road and secured to the back seat with a 3-point harness.
During the first few weeks, limit visitors: they can stress your newborn and make them cry more at the end of the day. Give yourself and your baby time to adjust to this new routine.
Remember to keep your baby’s health record handy: it’s the link between you and all the healthcare professionals who will be caring for your baby.
How should you feed your baby during the first few weeks?
A breastfed baby feeds an average of 8 to 12 times a day, including at night. They don’t need any additional water or herbal tea: instead, make sure you stay well-hydrated yourself, especially in hot weather.
A baby fed infant formula typically drinks 6 to 8 times a day; the amounts vary from day to day during the first few weeks; follow the guidelines on the packaging.
Small amounts of spitting up after meals are common and not a cause for concern, as long as it doesn’t seem painful and your baby continues to gain weight satisfactorily. If you have any doubts about breastfeeding or the amounts you’re feeding, your midwife or pediatrician can help.
It’s normal for your baby to lose up to 10% of their birth weight during the first few days of life. They usually regain it within 10 to 15 days, then gain an average of 150 to 200 grams per week. The best indicator of your baby’s good health is steady weight gain, which should be monitored by a healthcare professional during the first few weeks.
Wet diapers also provide information about how much your baby is eating: starting on the 3rd or 4th day, your baby will generally urinate 5 to 6 times a day. The first stools, which are dark and sticky, are passed within the first 48 hours, then gradually change color from yellow to green depending on your baby’s diet.
Your pediatrician will advise you at the maternity ward regarding the normal color of stools and any changes that should prompt you to consult a doctor.
How should you position your baby for safe sleep?
A safe sleeping environment reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A few simple rules, recommended by the World Health Organization, make all the difference:
- Always put your baby to sleep on their back, including for naps.
- Place them in their own crib with a firm mattress in your bedroom until they are 6 months old.
- Avoid pillows, blankets, crib bumpers, and stuffed animals near their face; opt for a sleep sack appropriate for the season.
- Keep the room between 18 and 20 degrees and air it out regularly.
- Keep them away from any environment where people are smoking, including in the car.
Since your baby spends a lot of time on their back, their head may flatten slightly on one side. Alternate the direction in which they sleep in their crib, and offer them time on their stomach several times a day for a few minutes each time while they’re awake and under supervision: this time on their stomach strengthens their neck and shoulder muscles.
Good Daily Habits
Dealing with Your Baby’s Crying
All babies cry: in the first few weeks, it’s their only way to communicate. Hunger, a full diaper, a need for physical contact, tiredness, or simply the urge to suck can all be causes, though it’s not always possible to pinpoint the exact reason. Holding your baby, rocking them, speaking softly to them, or going for a walk often helps to soothe them.
If the crying is exhausting or exasperating you, place your baby safely in their crib and step away for a few minutes. Never shake them! A shaken baby is at risk of serious injury. Ask for help from friends and family, your midwife, or your pediatrician rather than dealing with exhaustion on your own.
Link to the dedicated fact sheet
Bathing and Grooming
A bath two to three times a week is more than enough; it’s not necessary to bathe your baby every day. The water should be 37 degrees; soap is not recommended for newborns—opt for a soap-free, fragrance-free cleansing lotion instead. Be sure to thoroughly dry the skin folds after every bath or diaper change to minimize irritation. The nails, which are still soft, should not be trimmed until the baby is one month old; after that, use round-tipped scissors, taking care not to cut them too short.
Umbilical Cord Care
The cord dries out and falls off on its own, usually within a few weeks after birth. Clean it with soap and water, or with a compress if it gets dirty. Watch for redness around the navel, swelling, or discharge: these signs warrant a doctor’s visit.
And how are you doing?
After giving birth, many new mothers experience “baby blues”: crying for no apparent reason, fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed. This is common, linked to hormonal changes, and usually subsides within a few days. Rest whenever your baby sleeps, accept help from those around you, and don’t face exhaustion alone. If these feelings persist beyond two weeks or worsen, talk to your midwife or doctor. Physically, seek medical attention immediately if you experience heavy bleeding, a fever, breast pain accompanied by redness, severe abdominal pain, or difficulty breathing: these symptoms require immediate attention. Fathers, too, may go through a period of vulnerability after the birth: anxiety, feelings of oppression, or despondency should also be shared with a professional rather than kept to oneself.
When should you see a doctor?
You know your baby better than anyone else: any concern is worth sharing with a professional. However, certain signs require immediate medical attention:
- a temperature of 38°C or higher, or conversely, below 36.5°C, before 3 months of age;
- a marked change in behavior: irritability, high-pitched crying, or conversely, weak crying and a baby who is unresponsive, unusual drowsiness, or refusal to feed or wake up to eat;
- fewer than 2 to 3 thoroughly wet diapers in 24 hours, a hard and swollen belly, or no bowel movements accompanied by significant digestive discomfort
- suddenly looser and more frequent stools, especially if accompanied by vomiting or mixed with blood
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice that is getting worse, or very pale or even white stools;
- unusually rapid breathing, whimpering, a bluish complexion, or visible indentations between the ribs with each breath;
- small reddish-purple spots on the skin that spread rapidly;
- no weight gain after the first week;
- green or blood-tinged vomit.
Apart from these situations, a midwife will generally visit your home within 48 hours of your discharge, and then the pediatrician may see you between the 6th and 10th day, before the first-month checkup: they are your primary points of contact for any questions about your baby’s development.
FAQ: Your Questions About Coming Home with Your Newborn
How many times a day should my baby eat?
A breastfed newborn feeds an average of 8 to 12 times per 24 hours, while a bottle-fed baby typically eats 6 to 8 times a day. These schedules vary depending on your child’s needs and change over the course of several weeks.
Is it normal for my baby to lose weight in the first few days?
Yes, a slight weight loss after birth is normal. Babies generally return to their birth weight around the 7th or 10th day and then gain weight steadily.
Can my baby sleep in my bed with me?
No, it is recommended that your baby sleep in their own crib, next to yours, until they are 6 months old. Co-sleeping increases the risk of suffocation or falling.
How can I tell if my baby has a fever?
A temperature of 38 °C or higher before the age of 3 months requires immediate medical attention, even in the absence of other symptoms. You can take the temperature with a thermometer placed under the arm. We advise against taking the temperature rectally due to the risk of injury.
Can I take my baby out for a walk right from the first few days?
Yes, outings are possible right from the first few days, as long as you dress your baby appropriately for the weather. Just avoid enclosed, crowded public places, where the risk of virus transmission is higher.
Key Takeaways
Coming home with a newborn takes a few weeks to adjust to, for both you and your baby.
A baby who eats regularly, wets their diapers, and gains weight is doing well.
Sleeping on their back, in their own crib, and without any unnecessary objects, remains the best protection against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
For car trips, it’s essential to use a rear-facing car seat for every trip.
Crying is a normal part of an infant’s development and should never lead to shaking the baby.
Your own fatigue and any postpartum blues also deserve attention: surround yourself with support and ask for help.
In case of fever, noticeable jaundice, or a change in behavior, seek medical attention promptly.
When in doubt, your midwife or pediatrician is your best resource.