Meeting Your Newborn: What to Expect in the First Days
After months of anticipation, the moment has finally arrived: you get to meet your new baby. Like many new parents, you might not be sure what to expect during those first precious moments and days. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this special time.
What Will My Newborn Look Like?
You might have imagined a plump, rosy-cheeked baby, but in reality, newborns often look a bit different when they first arrive. They may appear tiny and wet, with heads that might be slightly pointed due to their passage through the birth canal. This is temporary—the head will round out within a few days. You might also notice that your newborn’s head seems disproportionately large compared to the rest of their body, which is perfectly normal.
Newborns might look scrunched up because their legs and arms have been bent at the knees and elbows in the womb. This is also normal, and their limbs will gradually straighten as they grow.
Take a close look at your baby’s tiny fingers and toes. You’ll notice their paper-thin nails, which can sometimes be quite long.
Your baby’s skin might appear red, pink, or purple at first. Some newborns are born with a white, waxy coating called vernix caseosa, which protected their skin from the amniotic fluid in the womb. This coating is usually washed off during the first bath. Other babies might be born with a wrinkled appearance, and some, particularly premature infants, might have a soft, downy covering of fine hair called lanugo, which usually falls off within a week or two.
It’s also common for newborns to have rashes, blotches, or tiny white spots on their skin. These typically clear up within the first few days or weeks. Your baby’s doctor will examine them within the first 12–24 hours to ensure these skin conditions are normal.
Remember, your baby’s appearance will change rapidly in the first few weeks. Their limbs will stretch out, their skin tone may shift, and any blotches will likely disappear.
How Do Doctors and Medical Staff Care for Newborns?
Immediately after birth, your newborn will undergo a series of quick evaluations and procedures to ensure they are healthy.
- Apgar Score: Within the first minute after birth, and again at five minutes, your baby will be assessed using the Apgar score. This test measures five key factors: heart rate, breathing, color, activity and muscle tone, and reflex response. Each factor is scored from 0 to 2, with a total score of 7–10 indicating that your baby is doing well. Lower scores may indicate that your baby needs some additional care, such as oxygen.
- Other Procedures: The medical team will:
- Clear your baby’s nasal passages with a suction bulb.
- Measure their weight, head circumference, and length.
- Apply eye ointment or drops to prevent infection.
After these procedures, your baby will be dried off, wrapped in a blanket, and placed in your arms for some skin-to-skin bonding time if both you and the baby are doing well.
Your newborn will also receive a vitamin K injection to help with blood clotting and prevent bleeding disorders. They will get their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine as well.
Before leaving the hospital, your baby will undergo a newborn screening blood test to check for conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) and congenital hypothyroidism, among others. A hearing screening is also performed to detect any potential hearing issues early on.
Depending on your baby’s health, additional tests might be done, such as checking blood sugar or bilirubin levels. If any problems are identified, the medical team will provide the necessary care.
Newborns delivered vaginally typically go home about 48 hours after birth, while those delivered via cesarean section usually stay in the hospital for about 96 hours.
What Will My Newborn Do on the First Day?
Many parents are surprised by how alert newborns can be right after birth. Your baby’s eyes may be open, and they may spend time studying faces, especially yours. They might turn toward your voice or react to sounds. Your newborn is already using their senses of smell and touch to become attached to you.
Your baby will likely cry, sleep, and sometimes gaze directly into your eyes. Although their vision is still blurry, they can best see things that are about 8–10 inches away—perfect for looking at your face. They will also reflexively grasp your finger if you place it in their palm. And, of course, your baby will be ready to eat.
After an initial period of alertness, most newborns tend to become sleepy for the next 24 hours.
Feeding Your Newborn
Most healthy full-term babies can feed on demand, meaning they eat whenever they seem hungry. Breastfed newborns typically feed every 2–3 hours, while formula-fed babies might eat every 3–4 hours. Newborns should not go more than 4–5 hours without feeding.
Breastfeeding can begin right after birth. While your milk may not come in fully for a day or two (especially with a first birth), your baby will still receive nourishment from colostrum, the thick, nutrient-rich precursor to breast milk. If breastfeeding is challenging, such as difficulty latching, a nurse or lactation consultant can offer guidance.
Bottle-fed babies usually receive their first feeding within a few hours of birth.
How New Parents Might Be Feeling
Bringing a new baby into the world is a life-changing experience, and it’s normal to have a wide range of emotions. You may feel relief, joy, anxiety, or even concern. These feelings can fluctuate rapidly, and a new mother may also be physically exhausted from labor. Both parents might begin to feel the effects of sleep deprivation.
Reactions vary widely among parents. Some mothers may feel a surge of energy and joy upon seeing their newborn, while others may experience baby blues or more serious postpartum depression. It’s important to talk to a doctor, nurse, or counselor if you have any concerns about your emotional well-being.
Visits From Friends and Family
To keep things simple, consider limiting visitors on the first day. Ask close friends or family members to help spread the news to others. This allows you to focus on bonding with your newborn.
It’s perfectly fine to have close family members, like grandparents or siblings, meet the baby on the first day. However, try to avoid a constant stream of visitors to ensure a calm and restful environment for you and your baby.
In the first few weeks, it’s wise to limit visitors to protect your newborn from infections. Make sure anyone who comes to visit is healthy, and ask them to wash their hands before holding or touching the baby.
What if There’s a Problem?
If your baby is born with a health issue or arrives early, it can be a challenging time. The hospital’s medical team is there to provide the necessary care and support. If you’re not ready to discuss your baby’s condition, it’s okay to ask your partner or another close relative to talk with the doctors on your behalf.
Some parents find comfort in speaking with a counselor or clergy member. Support groups are also available to provide emotional support. Don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it.
Bringing a baby into the world marks the beginning of an entirely new chapter in your life. Take the time to cherish these first moments and enjoy the start of your journey together.