First 100 Days: Newborn Care You Actually Need

Quick-start (Day 0–3)

• Skin-to-skin in the first hour; keep baby warm, hat off after rooming-in starts.

• Feed on cues (8–12 times/24 h). Latch should feel deep, not pinchy.

• Output matters: Day 1–4 = rising wets/poops daily; by Day 4–5 expect ~6+ wets and yellow, seedy stools.

• Jaundice watch: if baby is very sleepy, hard to wake for feeds, or looks more yellow—call your doctor the same day.

• Safe sleep: on the back, on a firm, empty surface; no pillows, loose blankets, or toys.

Days 4–14: Set the rhythm

Feeding

• Keep 8–12 feeds/24 h (including nights). Let baby finish the first breast, then offer the second.

• If breasts are very full, soften the areola with hand-expression for a minute to help latch.

• If baby is sleepy or separated, pump/hand-express about every 3 hours to protect supply.

Sleep

• Expect short cycles (45–90 min). Use daylight in the morning and dim lights at night to set the clock.

• Practice a three-step routine: feed → burp → swaddle (or sleep sack) + back to sleep.

Comfort & crying

• Check the “5 S’s”: Swaddle, Side-lying hold (for soothing only), Sway, Shush, Suck (clean finger/pacifier if breastfeeding is established).

• Gas relief: slow bicycle legs, tummy rub clockwise, frequent gentle burps.

Weeks 3–6: Growth spurts & cluster feeds

• Evenings may bring cluster feeding—normal and helps milk supply.

• Tummy time 2–3 minutes, 3–4×/day on a firm surface while you watch.

• Expect first smiles around week 6—great sign of social development.

Weeks 6–12: Stronger days, longer nights (maybe)

• Many babies start one longer night stretch; keep back-to-sleep always.

• Increase tummy time to a total of ~20–30 minutes/day in short bursts.

• Start a gentle wind-down: lights low, quiet room, feed, cuddle, lay down drowsy but awake if baby tolerates it.

Bathing, cord & skin

• Cord care: keep dry; fold diaper below stump; call if foul smell/redness spreads or fever.

• Bathing: 2–3×/week is enough; daily face/neck/diaper area wash.

• For diaper rash: frequent changes, air-time, thin barrier cream layer.

Health must-dos

• Vaccines: follow your national schedule—don’t delay first-dose protection.

• Vitamin D drops if advised by your clinician.

• Car seat every ride; rear-facing, correctly fitted.

• No honey before 1 year; no water top-ups for newborns unless told by your doctor.

• Hand hygiene for everyone who holds the baby; keep sick visitors away.

Red flags—seek care now

• Fever ≥38 °C (100.4 °F), fast or difficult breathing, blue lips/skin

• Poor feeding (≤6 wets after day 4, very few stools), green vomit, weak cry, unusual limpness

• Worsening jaundice, seizures, or any fall/accident—don’t wait

For breastfeeding parents

• Painful latch: break suction, reposition; aim for wide mouth, lips flanged, chin touching breast.

• Engorgement: warm before feeds, feed often, cold after; gentle massage toward armpit.

• Mastitis signs (fever + hot, painful area): keep feeding/emptying and see a clinician.

For bottle-feeding parents

• Hold baby upright, paced feeding (tilt bottle just enough to fill nipple tip).

• Watch hunger/fullness cues; don’t force to finish.

• Clean bottles thoroughly; prep formula exactly as directed.

Parents matter too

• Eat, hydrate, and sleep in shifts; short daytime naps count.

• Watch for postpartum mood changes >2 weeks—help exists, ask early.

• Say yes to help: meals, laundry, holding baby while you shower.

Simple checklist to print

• ☐ Back-to-sleep, empty crib

• ☐ 8–12 feeds/24 h; track wets/poops

• ☐ Skin-to-skin daily

• ☐ Tummy time (supervised)

• ☐ Car seat every ride

• ☐ Vaccines on time

• ☐ Call for any red flags above

For calm, evidence-based newborn care—and same-day pediatric advice—visit matrutvamhospitals.com.

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