The Motherhood Noted

There are some things I wish I knew in the first 48 hours after my baby was born. If you are a first-time mom, the first 48 hours are surreal. After all the chaos and things get quiet, nurses are gone (not for long; trust me, they will be back, probably when you finally get to sleep). You’re just holding this tiny human. It’s beautiful, overwhelming, and life-changing. If you are reading this post as your baby is currently in the first 48 hours, you are not alone. The first two days can make the most prepared mom feel unprepared. I want to make this post very straightforward for the moms that are in the thick of it. 

Skin-to-skin: This is right after the birth to bond with the baby but also to regulate his/her body temperature and nervous system. 

Feeding: your baby with your colostrum. Your breast milk has not quite come in yet and will take a few days. Colostrum is a small amount of pre-milk but packed with all the nutrients the baby needs. Babies’ tummies are tiny the first few days.; They fill up on little but feed frequently, about every 2-3 hours. This is really all I thought about the first couple of weeks: “When does my baby need to eat?” “Is my baby hungry?” “The baby needs to eat at this time.” Babies eat a lot and around the clock. You will begin to get in a routine as the baby gets just a little bit older, and it will get easier. 

Your baby’s first poop is called Meconium. It will be black and tar-like. This is completely normal and will begin to change to brownish green and eventually yellow seedy stool after a few poops. 

Wet and dirty diapers: The amount of wet and dirty diapers is an indication of how much a baby eats. On the first day, the baby should have at least 1 dirty diaper and increase to at least 6+ by the end of week one. 

Babies may wake on their own; babies want to be close to you and be held. It is what regulates them and calms their breathing and heart rate. They are familiar with Mom and want to be back in that cozy little cocoon. Closeness is a need, not a want. You can’t spoil a newborn, even in the weeks to come. Hold that baby girl. 

Safe sleep: Lay the baby flat on their back on a flat surface with no loose bedding. I did a lot of contact naps for the baby, but when I got too tired, she slept in her bassinet. You have to sleep, and it was hard for me to put my baby down in those first couple of weeks, but Momma has to sleep, too. If you have help from a spouse, or a trusted family member or friend, let them help you so you can get some rest. 

Baby sounds and behavior: Babies make funny but sometimes scary noises.; You might think, ‘Umm, are you good?’ Grunting, snorting, hiccuping, sneezing, and squeaking sounds are all normal. If you are concerned, it is always best to ask a nurse or pediatrician to check the baby,  especially if you believe the baby is working hard to breathe, their chest is pulling in, or their nostrils are flaring. Babies’ vision is not fully developed. When they are born, they can only see. a few Ffeet in front of them. They may occasionally cross their eyes to attempt to focus in on faces and objects. 

Baby’s appearance: It is normal for babies to have peeling skin, baby acne, or tiny red or white bumps on the face (milia). It will go away on its own. Mild jaundice (yellowish-toned skin) is common in newborns. Call the doctor if it spreads, the baby becomes hard to wake, or feeds poorly. The baby’s hands and feet may appear purple because the circulation is still developing. Always seek medical attention if you believe it is necessary. 

Baby checks are normal and routine; Nurses come in often to check the baby’s temperature, monitor weight, perform blood sugar checks, and perform hearing and vision screenings.  

Baby reflexes: The Moro reflex, or the startle reflex, is when the baby’s arms fling out. Though this is a normal part of development, it can wake the baby while they sleep, hence the need for swaddling. I only swaddled my baby in the hospital, but a lot of people swaddle once they get home. My baby liked sleeping with her hands up by her face. We love the sleep sacks; it’s like a wearable blanket. 

The rooting reflex is turning the head toward the breast or bottle.

Umbilical cord care:

• Keep the umbilical cord dry and clean. 

• No full bath until the stump falls off; this could take up to a few weeks. 

• Fold the diaper below the stump to avoid irritation to the area. 

When to seek medical attention: redness increases or spreads, bleeding, fever, or if you have any concerns or questions. 

Bathing basics:

• 2-3 sponge baths per week until the umbilical cord falls off. 
• Focus on the vitals- diaper area, neck folds
• Don’t overuse soap
• Use moisturizer if dry or flaky  

Soothing baby: Babies cry to communicate because, obviously, babies can’t talk to tell you what’s up. You will eventually pick up on the body language and different types of cries your baby makes for their needs. It’s easy to get flustered in the early days when you are running on little sleep, and you’ve tried everything. Here are some soothing techniques to try out. 

• Rocking
• Gentle bouncing 
• Feeding
• White noise (this mimics the sound of being in the womb) 
• Skin-to-skin 
• Gentle baby massage: We love the “I love you” baby massage to help with digestion. 
• Baby kicks 
• Diaper change
• Clothing changes (something could be irritating their skin, such as a tag or texture.) 

When to call a pediatrician: If your baby is inconsolable, it is best to call the pediatrician, and definitely talk to a pediatrician when your baby’s fever is at 100 degrees or greater, there are fewer wet diapers than expected, or it is hard to wake them. The first pediatrician visit will most likely be a few days after leaving the hospital. 

Remember, there is no perfection in motherhood, and we all do it differently. Find what works for you and your baby. Right now, the most important thing is bonding with your baby and enjoying the short time you have with them when they are this small, when they rely so heavily on their mother. It is a sweet, sweet bond. Get rest when you can and ask for help when needed. You got this one day at a time, Momma.