What should I expect once I am home?

You may feel a bit down, tearful, or anxious in the first week after giving birth. This is normal and support is available for you. 

The NHS has information about how to cope with stress after having a baby. 

If these feelings start later or last for more than two weeks after giving birth, it could be a sign of postnatal depression. 

Postnatal depression and anxiety are common, and there is treatment. Speak to your midwife, GP or health visitor as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed or anxious. 

The safest place for a baby to sleep for the first six months is in a cot, crib or moses basket in the same room as you. 

The Lullaby Trust has done an introduction to safe sleep, the dos and don’ts.  

There are so many different products on the market advertised to parents/carers as what babies needs for sleep but many of these are unnecessary and can be dangerous. We’d recommend you referring to the Lullaby Trust “how to choose baby sleeping products” guidance. 

The NHS also has safer sleeping advice for parents.

Jaundice is an illness that can affect newborn babies. Jaundice in newborn babies is common and usually harmless. It causes yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. The NHS has more information about newborn jaundice and what to do. 

The way babies are held, talked to, and cared for, teaches them about who they are and how they are valued. You’ll build the foundations for your child’s lifelong mental, emotional, and physical health. 

While bonding can be highly enjoyable, it is also serious business – bonding has three broad functions: 

• It improves your baby’s chance of survival by making it more likely their carer will keep them close, fed, and safe.  
• It helps introduce your baby into the social world and sets the template for their future relationships.  
• It provides a framework for your baby’s brain to grow and develop vital connections.  

All the functions together, help build the kinds of relationships they will have throughout their life.  

Bonding can feel magical, some parents are struck all of a sudden and soon after birth, but bonding is much more than this. It will mostly come from the constant intimate moments from the routine of attending to your baby’s needs. For your baby, being held in your arms, coming to know the feel, smell, and sound of you is the major part of their life.

As your baby tries to communicate with you, you should try to understand them and meet their needs. This will develop the trust and your baby will be attached to you.  

In the early days you will both be learning and getting to know each other. 

Being a parent can be tough and research suggests that some parents and caregivers can lose control when a baby’s crying becomes too much. Sadly, some go on to shake a baby with devastating consequences. 

Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) causes catastrophic brain injuries, which can lead to death, or significant long-term health and learning disabilities. 

ICON is a programme adopted by health and social care organisations in the UK to provide information about infant crying, including how to cope, support parents/carers, reduce stress and prevent abusive head trauma in babies. 

I = infant crying is normal and it will stop. 

C = comfort methods can help soothe the baby and the crying will stop. 

O = It is okay to walk away from your baby for a few minutes – so long as they are safe.  

N = Never ever shake or hurt your baby. 

Most babies start to cry more frequently from two weeks of age, with a peak usually being seen around six to eight weeks. 

If you need support, the CRY-SIS helpline can be reached on 08451 228 669, between 9am and 10pm daily.  

After your baby is born, they will be covered in a sticky white substance called vernix. This should be allowed to absorb into your baby’s skin for extra protection as your baby’s skin is very delicate. In the first few weeks babies do not need any lotions/bubble bath/soaps, so when bathing your baby just use warm water. 

You don’t need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom instead. This is often called “topping and tailing”. 

Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm. Get everything ready beforehand. You’ll need a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and, if necessary, clean clothes. 

The NHS has more advice on how to bathe your baby including a video tutorial.

It is common for babies to get stick eyes and this can be cleaned gently with cotton wool. It is also very common for babies to get nappy rash. To prevent this you should regularly change their nappy, clean the nappy area with water and cotton wool and allow it to dry. You can use a petroleum-based lubricant as a barrier to protect the skin. 

The newborn blood spot test (formerly called the heel prick test) is a simple way to check if your baby may have any of 9 rare but serious conditions. 

The newborn blood spot test helps to check if babies have any of 9 rare conditions, some of which can be life-threatening. 

Knowing early whether a baby might have or get these conditions means they can start to be monitored and treated sooner. 

This can improve their long-term health and development and prevent severe disability. 

This is recommended for all babies and is normally done when they are five days old – but can be done earlier or later than this. 

Find out more about the blood spot test on the NHS website. 

One to two days old: 

At one to two days old, you should expect your baby to be having at least two wet and at least one dirty nappy per day. The first bowel movement is known as meconium and is often compared to ‘tar’ due to its black sticky appearance. 

Your baby may pass substances called ‘urates’ during the first 24-48 hours of life. These are pink/red substances you will find in the nappy. They are not a problem, but if they continue you should contact your midwife or health visitor. 

Three to four days old: 

By three to four days old, you should expect your baby to be having at least three wet and at least two dirty nappies per day. By now, the poo should be changing colour from black to brown, green and yellow. The poo should also be looser in consistency. 

Five days plus: 

By five days old, you should expect your baby to be having at least five wet and around one to two dirty nappies per day. The poo should be mustard-yellow in colour. 

Older breastfed babies: 

You should expect your baby to be having at least six wet and at least two dirty nappies per day as they get older. The poo should be mustard-yellow in colour and have a soft, runny consistency. If you breastfeed your baby the poo may have a ‘sweet’ smell. 

Older Formula fed babies: 

You should expect your baby to be having at least six wet and at least one dirty nappy per day as they get older. The poo should be yellow in colour, have a paste like consistency but should not be hard or firm. If you bottle feed your baby, their poo may have an offensive smell. 

Birth trauma like any traumatic event in our lives, can lead to post traumatic stress disorder symptoms. It may make it difficult to bond with your baby. You may find you get symptoms triggered about your birth experience by seeing others who are pregnant, other babies or certain television programmes such as One Born Every Minute. 

Birth Trauma can affect mothers, birthing people as well as birthing partners too. It can affect people in different ways at different times. Speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP about your thoughts and feelings. They are there for you.