So you’re a new mother with a newborn baby congratulations! This is the time to cuddle your newborn and revel in the joys of motherhood. The first days, the most chaotic, is almost behind you and soon, every day is going to be more predictable than the last. You can already assume what your baby wants, and how it reacts to you and his/her surrounding. Which sounds and stimulations are irritating him, and what calms him down?
Maybe you’ve already taken the first walk and your close family has visited you. However, the adapting period of parenting and the care of the newborn is just beginning. It still takes a lot of time and practice to feel like a confident parent.
The Daily routine of a newborn in the first 6 till 8 weeks
In this period, your newborn has already developed some daily routines. You can assume when the baby is hungry, when and how long it will sleep, and some babies at this time can already have 4 hours of uninterrupted night sleep. But still, be prepared to be unable to predict the baby’s behavior at least twice a day. Some babies will cry more and they’ll be more upset, so you might not be able to find the reason for their inquietude and that is okay.
You’ll have the feeling that the feeding, calming, and cuddling have no effect and the crying can be pretty intensive. Try to stay calm and focused on these intense days. The baby at this age feels your frustration and feeds off this emotion.
Feeding a newborn in the first 6 – 8 weeks
In this period, lactation is adjusting to the newborn’s needs, so you’ll have to respond to the baby’s request. As the days pass, you’ll be able to recognize the cry when the baby is hungry, tired, or in need of a diaper change. Don’t be so rigid in the feeding schedule. The intestine of your baby is getting mature in this period, so the situation may vary from day to day.
Many mothers doubt if their baby gets enough milk at the beginning. If the baby gain weight, looks awake and clear and has 6 or more wet diapers a day, everything is all right. Also, the baby’s poop should be in bright yellow color.
Sleep of newborn in the first 6 – 8 weeks
During this period, newborns usually sleep in short cycles of about 45 minutes and they look pretty fresh. Also, the regulation of day and night sleep gets established in this period so sometimes the baby may sleep more during the day and less during the night.
Try to lay down the baby in his crib before he gets fully asleep in your hug. Also, try to recognize the signs of tiredness, so feed the baby and get him asleep before he gets too upset.
Don’t react right away when the baby wakes up, let him lie down in the crib until he looks for your attention, maybe he will get calm by himself and continue to sleep.
Behavior of newborn in age of 6-8 weeks
The baby can already put his arms and legs up and down and he reacts when he sees you. It starts to put its palms in its mouth.
Babies learn social skills by looking at other people, so smiling, talking, and being with people stimulate the brain. Read and talk to your baby every day because this helps develops your baby’s center for speech. Stimulate the baby with different sounds.
Let the baby lay down some period without a diaper on his back moving his arms and legs on a freeway. Of course, stay close and don’t put him on high and insecure surfaces.
The adapting period of 6 – 8 weeks with a newborn at home is hard and exhausting. That’s why you should ask your spouse or another family member to help you prepare meals for yourself and housekeeping. Try to get enough sleep and regular meals.
In the end, you’ll get your well-deserved first award in your parental career – a baby’s first smile