Leaving the hospital with your newborn is one of the most surreal experiences.
You’re thrilled, overwhelmed, and… let’s be honest — a little terrified. No more nurses popping in. No midwives to reassure you. NO CALL BUTTON!! Just you, your newborn baby, and Google searches at 2 a.m.
It’s completely normal to feel nervous and overwhelmed in those first few days to weeks at home. But don’t worry — I’ve got you!
As a NICU Nurse, Lactation & Sleep Consultant, and mama of 4, I’m here to guide you through those fragile first few weeks with real, honest advice that actually helps.
Let’s break down the biggest questions and challenges that come up once you’re home — and give you some tried-and-true tools to make this season smoother.
Breastfeeding Is Natural… But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Easy
Even as a lactation consultant, I struggled with breastfeeding each of my four babies — from mastitis to nipple vasospasm to lip and tongue ties, and even low milk supply.
So please, mama, do not be hard on yourself.
What’s Normal in the Early Days?
A feed can last 40–60 minutes, and that’s normal. Your baby might feed 8–12 times in 24 hours, sometimes more (especially during witching hour and a mental leap).
In the first few days, your milk transitions from colostrum (liquid gold!) to transitional milk — typically around day 2–5. Frequent feeding is essential during this time to help build and increase your supply.
Tips for a Great Latch:
- Bring baby to the breast, not the breast to the baby.
- Try a semi laid back position to help baby get a good latch
- Use this simple positioning rhyme to help get a good deep latch: “Bum in, chest to chest, chin to breast, top lip to nip (or roof of mouth)”
Dealing With Engorgement
When your milk first comes in, your breasts might feel hard, sore, or hot.
Try these:
- Cold packs between feeds to reduce swelling
- Warm compresses or a quick shower before a feed to encourage letdown
- Gently massage fluid up and away from the nipple area to soften the areola
Pro tip: Breastfeeding should not feel painful throughout the entire feed. If it does, break the latch and reposition.
And don’t forget — breastfeeding support is everything. If you’re struggling, reach out for help from a lactation consultant or join my free New Mama Class here.
Crying Is Communication — Not Always a Cry for Milk
Your newborn will cry. A lot. It’s hard to hear, but it’s how they communicate with you. The key is to Stop, Look and Listen. Start to try and understand what they might be saying.
Here’s what they could be saying:
- “I’m tired.”
- “I’m hungry.”
- “I have gas.”
- “I need a nappy change.”
- “I just want a cuddle.”
The 2 Cries Parents Confuse The Most: Overtired vs. Hungry
One of the biggest challenges is telling the difference between a hungry baby and an overtired baby.
Overtired babies often:
- Arch their back
- Clench their fists
- Cry in a high-pitched, painful-sounding way
- Suck for comfort — but don’t settle after a feed
Where as hungry cues look like this:
How to Settle a Crying Newborn: Think Like the Womb
Let’s go back to where your baby just came from — the womb.
It was warm, snug, dark, loud, and rhythmic. That’s what comfort felt like. It’s magic for calming a crying baby.
So when your baby cries, you can recreate that environment to help them feel safe again.
My 5 S’s for Soothing:
- Swaddle – Nice and tight with hips loose
- Stomach hold – Hold baby belly-down on your chest
- Shushing – Long, loud “shhhhhh” sounds
- Swing/rocking – Get those hips moving and also pat bottom
- Sucking – Breast, bottle, or soother (dummy/pacifier) — sucking is calming and helps regulate
These tools are not spoiling your baby — they’re regulating their nervous system and helping them adjust to life outside the womb. While also getting them to sleep, which is what they need!!
Now don’t forget: growth spurts, developmental leaps, and witching hour (usually late afternoon/evening) can mean extra crying. Also, sadly around 6-8 weeks crying peaks. BUT don’t worry I cover this in my free New Mama Class here.
Newborn Sleep Has No Routine (But That’s Normal!)
Say it with me: there is no schedule in the newborn phase. And that’s OK!
For the first few months, baby’s sleep is all over the place. But here are a few expert tips to make sleep a little easier:
Set up a sleep-friendly environment from Day 1:
- Swaddle or use a newborn sleep sack
- Sound machine (heartbeat sounds are soothing)
- Red night light
- Dark room overnight
- Keep bassinet close to your bed
To encourage better nighttime sleep:
- Feed baby first, then change nappy (wakes them up a bit)
- Burp mid-feed and again at the end
- Keep night-time feeds quiet and interaction minimal
- Expose baby to daylight during the day, and keep nights dark
And Mama — nap when you can, even if it’s just a 20-minute power nap. It’ll make a big difference in your energy and mood.
I cover way more helpful tips on newborn sleep in this New Mama Masterclass, click here for free access!!
Pee & Poop: What’s Normal?
Let’s talk about nappies. (Because yes, you’ll be obsessed with your baby’s output.)
Pee:
Early on, it’ll be more concentrated and dark yellow. As the baby drinks more, it becomes pale yellow. Aim for 5–6 wet, heavy nappies per day after Day 5.
Poop Progression (especially for breastfed babies):
- Day 1–2: Black, sticky meconium
- Day 3–4: Greenish-brown transition poop
- Day 4–5+: Yellow mustard with “seeds” (fat globules)
Pro tip: Use coconut oil after each change to make those poops way easier to clean.
If you ever feel unsure, check out my Poop Guide here, it covers what’s normal and what isn’t. It’s a lifesaver!! 💩
Need More Support? Join My Free New Mama Class
Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure this all out by yourself.
In my Free New Mama Class, I walk you through:
- Why your baby is so upset, crying and hard to settle
- Breastfeeding tips that actually help
- Signs of low supply
- The right way to bottle-feed to reduce gas and discomfort
- The real reason baby wakes when you put them down
Click here to join now — you’ll feel better instantly.
This is the support I wish every mama had in those first few hazy, emotional early weeks.
