Congratulations on your new baby! Now is an exciting and at the same time exhausting period of your lives. After spending the first few days resting at the hospital, you've now brought your newborn baby home, and adjusting to the new demands and life changes that your new baby has brought about. You are tired and exhausted from the birth, but now filled with joy, excitement, and energy as the real fun begins - the raising of your new child. Being parents ourselves, we understand the trials and tribulations of raising children, and the first weeks of a newborn child are often some of the most anxious periods for new parents. I distinctly remember with our first child, a baby girl, we were in and out of the hospital and doctors office for no less than 4 times in 1 week and a half!
Being new parents with the first born and lacking experience, even the littlest things can set you off and cause you to "freak out". Things like: Is my new baby healthy?; my baby is jaundiced, should I worry?; Is my baby drinking enough milk?; and my favorite one is when my husband asked: "OMG... Why's our baby's poo black like tar!?"
Relax, things are really not as dire as they may seem for first time parents. With our second and third child, things were so much easier!
What to Expect at One Week?
Okay, so what can you expect for a baby at 1 week old? Newborn babies will lose a little weight during the first 4 to 6 days after being born. For formula fed babies, a 5% weight loss is considered normal, and for a breast fed baby, a 7% weight loss is normal. Typically by week 2 after birth, most babies will have gained back the weight lost plus a little extra.
A new born baby's stomach is quite small. During the first 1 to 2 day's after birth, your baby's stomach is about the sized of a chick pea or a hazelnut; at 3 to 7 days, your baby's stomach is about the size of a cherry; and at 2 to 5 weeks, your baby's stomach is about the size of a walnut. Because of the small size of your baby's stomach, he or she needs to nurse often. [1] Having your baby nurse often will also help increase your milk supply. The umbilical stump of your baby may also fall off toward the end of the first week and afterwards.
A one week old baby may need a diaper change 10 to 12 times a day, and sometime even a bit more. You will likely be spending quite a bit of time changing dirty diapers during the first few weeks, so take your time, and enjoy the exercise by talking, singing, and laughing with your baby. You can also change diapers while your baby is asleep. Do it gently, and you do not need to wake your baby up to change diapers. Every baby is different, some will have more wet diapers, and others will have less.
Below are somethings you should lookout for with a 1 week old infant, and should contact your health care practitioner:
- If your baby does not want to feed, and often goes without feeding for 4 to 5 hours
- If your child does not have 1 to 2 wet diapers in the first 3 days
- If your baby does not have 5 wet diapers each day after the first 4 to 6 days
- If your infant does not have at least 2 to 3 bowel movements a day after 4 days [1]
Typically, you're required to visit your family doctor within the first week where your baby's weight, length, size are measured. The doctor will also check your baby's skin color for signs of Jaundice.
1. Baby's Best Chance - Parent's Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care
Watch a 2 year old toddler read, and see how this child's reading skill develops at 3 and 4 years old.