Giving birth is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. The moment you see your baby for the first time will take away all the struggles and pain you experienced in the past 40 weeks and during the long, excruciating hours of labor. It’s a beautiful and blissful memory forever etched in your heart and mind.
However, the insane amount of changes in your life can be overwhelming too. As a new mama, you might be feeling a rollercoaster of emotions right now. You are, after all, a totally different person after giving birth.
It’s okay if you don’t know everything, mama. No one does. We all learn as we go so you should go easy on yourself. What about focusing on your baby’s first month with you in the meantime?
Let this newborn checklist help you navigate the early days of motherhood.
Preparing the nursery
Your baby will be spending a huge chunk of their life in the nursery. So make this special place in the house as comfortable and safe as possible. The key is to create an inviting space where your little one—who’s still adjusting to life outside the womb—will feel at ease.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of overdoing the decorations of your little bean’s nursery, especially if it’s your first time to design one. Here’s your reminder that you can create the nursery of your dreams without spending too much. You just need to make sure you have the basics in your newborn essentials list, nursery edition: a crib and beddings, changing table and mat, clothes cabinet, a breastfeeding chair for mama, baby monitor, and night light. If you have extra moolah to spare, you can get some nice-to-haves such as white noise machine, humidifier, area rug, a nursery chest or dresser to store your newborn essentials kit, and more.
Swaddling the baby
Baby swaddling is an age-old practice to help newborn babies get used to the world outside their mom’s womb. A swaddle imitates that feeling of comfort in the womb, so it can keep newborns feeling warm and cozy until they can regulate their temperature naturally.
But wrapping your baby burrito style should be done correctly. First, swaddling can only be done on newborns who cannot roll over to their side or belly. Use thin breathable materials such as cotton or bamboo muslin (they come in cute designs!) and keep the swaddle below the shoulders. Your baby’s upper body should be wrapped just tight enough while the lower body should be loose.
Breastfeeding the baby
Breastfeeding may be a natural process, but it doesn’t come easy for first-time mamas. You may feel anxious and unsure about what to do. Here’s a tip, mama: focus on the first six weeks as this is the time you establish your milk supply and learn all essential skills you’ll be needing for a successful breastfeeding journey.
Nurse on demand or about every two hours—no need for strict schedules—to stimulate your breasts so they produce plenty of milk. The more you nurse, the more milk your body produces. Watch out for signs that your baby is hungry: they are sucking their fingers or their head is turning to look for your breast.
What you eat and drink also plays an important role in your bid to breastfeed successfully. So load up on calories and nutrients so you can pass them on to your little one through your breastmilk. Never forget to drink plenty of water! And since you are on-call 24 hours a day when breastfeeding, it’s a must that you don’t fall victim to sleep deprivation. Nap when possible, nurse on your side, consider pumping milk, or ask someone to watch the baby while you get some shut-eye.
You’ll also be needing some help from the following: a reliable nursing bra and nursing cover, breastmilk storage bags and breast pads, a good breast pump, feeding accessories, and lactation aids.
Putting the baby to sleep
Sleepless nights are to be expected when you have a newborn baby in the house. Babies’ sleep cycles are erratic and their sleep patterns can vary because they haven’t developed mature circadian rhythms yet.
According to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, “generally, newborns sleep a total of about 8 to 9 hours in the daytime and a total of about 8 hours at night. There is no set schedule at first, and many newborns have their days and nights confused. They think they are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during the day.”
To help regulate your baby’s sleep—and getting your own beauty rest as well—avoid common mistakes that ruin their sleep routine: neglecting sleep cues such as rubbing eyes or yawning; not allowing them to take naps in the daytime when in fact naps are important for their development and keep them from being overtired; not having a bedtime routine such as a bath and massage; having too much stimuli (read: toys) in their crib; and not providing a healthy sleep environment in the nursery.
Bathing the baby
It can be nerve-wracking to bathe your newborn for the first time. You find yourself asking too many questions and are worried you might be committing common bathtime mistakes. It can be daunting, yes. But with more and more practice, you’ll master it in no time.
Experts recommend giving your baby a full-on bath only after their umbilical cord has fallen off. Opt for sponge baths instead to avoid getting the umbilical stump wet. There is also no need to bathe your baby every day—two to three times a week should be fine as long as you keep the face, hands, and nappy area clean.
Before giving your baby a bath, make sure you’ve prepared everything you need because you should never ever leave your baby alone. You’ll be needing a basin or clean sink, clean and soft washcloths, baby-friendly shampoo and soap, bath towel, and cotton balls. Also have the diapers, wipes, and change of clothes within easy reach.
Ensure that the baby’s head is supported at all times. For sponge baths, wrap your newborn in a towel and lay their back on a flat surface. Using a dampened washcloth, wipe your baby’s face then eyelids. Gently sponge down one limb at a time, then pat dry.
If you’re bathing the baby in a tub, use a rubber mat to hold the tub securely in place. Aim for bathwater that is between 37°C to 39°C as this mimics your amniotic fluid’s temperature. You can also check the temperature by dipping your elbow in to feel if the water is comfortably warm.
Choosing baby clothes
Dressing up your adorable bubs is something any mama looks forward to. Because their skin is soft and sensitive, babies should be wearing clothes that are comfortable. Generally, cotton is the most preferred fabric in infant apparels because it is absorbent and gentle to the baby’s skin. Babies’ clothes should also be easy to wear and remove. Cute and charming designs also won’t hurt.
Your newborn checklist, clothes edition can include the following: bodysuits, onesies and rompers, pants and leggings, dresses and jumpsuits, mittens, booties and beanies, socks, and soft shoes.
You can download the checklist here!
