Surviving The First Week Of Motherhood: First Week Home With A Newborn
The first week of motherhood is the most transformative phase for a woman. The sudden shift from pregnancy to postpartum demands more energy and poses multiple challenges. Mothers have to look after their health, heal wounds, care for babies, and manage the household. Some mothers may become emotionally exhausted, which results in postpartum blues- mood swings, anxiety, and crying.
During the first week, hormones change rapidly. Sleep is affected, feeding challenges arise, and newborns become cranky, with confusing cues. This period also carries the risk of haemorrhage and depressive symptoms. Despite the struggles and confusions, the first week is the setting stage for breastfeeding, maternal mental health and early bonding.
First Week Home With A Newborn
The first week of motherhood can be overwhelming. Recovering from a c-section incision or perineal tear demands physical energy, hormone crashes, sleep gets fragmented, and the newborns demand more of themselves than you. 46-66% of women feel exhausted during this period. Baby blues (crying, mood swings, irritation and anxiety) increase due to hormonal changes.
After the intense labour and delivery, the uterine contractions peak on 3 days as the uterus shrinks from the size of a watermelon to a fist. Lochia (vaginal bleeding) soaks pads every hour for the first three days. Perineal tears or c-section incisions increase swelling, bruising and cause pain and discomfort while sitting and walking, limiting mobility. Sleep averages 4-4.5 hours per day due to pain, which reduces newborns' feeding frequency.
What Happens to Your Body in the First 7 Days
Newborn Care
Newborns demand more of their mother's care during the first week. The environment is also new for them. They spend more time sleeping and wake frequently to feed. As they adjust to the new environment, newborns lose 5-10% of their birth weight due to frequent feeding.
Decoding CuesNewborns show their feelings and signal their discomfort only through cues. Newborns are born with innate cues which they instinctively use when necessary.
BreastfeedingBreastfeeding for at least 6 months is vital for the baby’s long-term health. A poor latch or bad position can hurt both the baby and the mother. Make sure the baby’s mouth opens wide and covers the whole nipple for a better seal. Hold the baby in a football, cradle, or cross-cradle hold. Before feeding, gently massage the breast and provide warm compression to encourage let-down.
Cluster FeedingIn the initial days, babies need more feeding sessions to increase milk intake. Frequent breastfeeding increases prolactin release and promotes the transition to mature milk. The benefits of cluster feeding include:
5 S to Soothe The BabyThe 5 S technique, developed by Dr Harvey Karp, helps reduce crying and promote sleep by mimicking the womb and soothing the fussy infants.
Taking Care of You
New mothers need plenty of rest despite the baby’s constant needs and demands. Here are a few ways to practice self-care and promote healing.
Manage Pain: Uterine contraction can be painful. Vaginal birth can tear the perineum, causing bruising and discomfort. C-section incision pain may last for weeks. Breastfeeding can lead to engorgement and nipple trauma. Consult with your doctor about pain relief options. To soothe the breast, apply cold cabbage leaves and lanolin-based creams.
The first week after delivery can be hard and painful for both mother and the baby. The increasing pressure, pain, limited mobility, and demands of the baby can trigger postpartum depression. If you notice feelings of sadness, guilt, or hopelessness, immediately consult with your doctor. Supportive family members can help lessen the burden by assisting with meal preparation, housework, cleaning, and caring for the newborn.
Hang in there. After seven days, you will feel more confident handling your baby, manage breastfeeding better, start getting some sleep, and notice signs of healing.
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.
FAQs on Surviving The First Week Of Motherhood: First Week Home With A NewbornWhat week is the hardest with a newborn?
The first 6 to 8 weeks are mostly difficult with a newborn. They wake up frequently at night and require constant feeding. Their fussiness often peaks around 6 weeks. After around 3 months, babies start to regulate themselves and develop self-soothing skills.What is the golden period of the newborn?
The first hour after birth is the golden hour for a newborn. During this time, it's important to maintain skin-to-skin contact, breastfeed, and bond with the newborn. The new environment may be too cold for the baby. Skin-to-skin contact regulates body temperature, heartbeat, breathing, and blood sugar levels.
During the first week, hormones change rapidly. Sleep is affected, feeding challenges arise, and newborns become cranky, with confusing cues. This period also carries the risk of haemorrhage and depressive symptoms. Despite the struggles and confusions, the first week is the setting stage for breastfeeding, maternal mental health and early bonding.
First Week Home With A Newborn
The first week of motherhood can be overwhelming. Recovering from a c-section incision or perineal tear demands physical energy, hormone crashes, sleep gets fragmented, and the newborns demand more of themselves than you. 46-66% of women feel exhausted during this period. Baby blues (crying, mood swings, irritation and anxiety) increase due to hormonal changes.
After the intense labour and delivery, the uterine contractions peak on 3 days as the uterus shrinks from the size of a watermelon to a fist. Lochia (vaginal bleeding) soaks pads every hour for the first three days. Perineal tears or c-section incisions increase swelling, bruising and cause pain and discomfort while sitting and walking, limiting mobility. Sleep averages 4-4.5 hours per day due to pain, which reduces newborns' feeding frequency.
What Happens to Your Body in the First 7 Days
- Uterine Involution: The uterus starts to involute from 1kg at birth to 500 grams by the end of week 1.
- Lochia: Vaginal discharge with a mix of blood, mucus and uterine tissue to clean the uterus.
- Perineal Tears: Vaginal birth tears the perineum and causes oedema, bruising and pain.
- Incision: C-section incision limits mobility.
- Breast: Milk production may cause engorgement, making the breast feel hot and tender.
- Digestion: Slow bowel movements, iron supplements, babies’ meconium, and perineal pain make bowel movements hard and delayed.
Newborn Care
Newborns demand more of their mother's care during the first week. The environment is also new for them. They spend more time sleeping and wake frequently to feed. As they adjust to the new environment, newborns lose 5-10% of their birth weight due to frequent feeding.
Decoding CuesNewborns show their feelings and signal their discomfort only through cues. Newborns are born with innate cues which they instinctively use when necessary.
- Hunger cues: They start rooting, suck hands, smack lips, and extend their tongue. If hunger peaks, they extend their legs and arms and start crying frantically.
- Discomfort signals: If they feel discomfort or trapped gas, they arch back, pull their knee up to check, and thrash their head side to side.
- Overstimulation: Bright lights, strong smells, and loud sounds can cause jerky movements.
- Sleeping Signal: Rubbing their eyes and yawning indicates that the baby is tired and wants to sleep.
BreastfeedingBreastfeeding for at least 6 months is vital for the baby’s long-term health. A poor latch or bad position can hurt both the baby and the mother. Make sure the baby’s mouth opens wide and covers the whole nipple for a better seal. Hold the baby in a football, cradle, or cross-cradle hold. Before feeding, gently massage the breast and provide warm compression to encourage let-down.
Cluster FeedingIn the initial days, babies need more feeding sessions to increase milk intake. Frequent breastfeeding increases prolactin release and promotes the transition to mature milk. The benefits of cluster feeding include:
- For Babies: Offers comfort (skin-to-skin contact), provides calories for rapid brain growth, boosts immunity, and regulates sleep.
- For Mothers: Triggers the release of prolactin and oxytocin, establishes milk supply, soothes engorgement, and fosters bonding.
5 S to Soothe The BabyThe 5 S technique, developed by Dr Harvey Karp, helps reduce crying and promote sleep by mimicking the womb and soothing the fussy infants.
- Swaddle: Using cotton blankets, wrap the baby to mimic the womb's confinement.
- Side Position: Hold the baby on their side against your chest to activate a calming reflex.
- Shushing: Continuous shushing mimics intrauterine blood flow, reducing crying and signalling safety.
- Swing: Rolling the baby at 60-100 beats per minute promotes relaxation.
- Suck: A pacifier or breast promotes the calming reflex.
Taking Care of You
New mothers need plenty of rest despite the baby’s constant needs and demands. Here are a few ways to practice self-care and promote healing.
- Sleep Strategies: New mothers often sleep less than 4.4 hours in the first week. Sleep when the baby sleeps, and ask your partner to take shifts at night. Keep the room dim and free from distractions.
- Hydration: New mothers lose fluid through lochia, sweat, and urine, requiring 3-4 litres of fluid. Proper hydration is key for breastfeeding mothers to produce milk and for speedy recovery.
- Micronutrients: Increase intake of iron, vitamin C, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and folate to reduce fatigue and inflammation, rebuild haemoglobin, heal perineal tears, and prevent cramps.
- Nutrition: Eat small, frequent meals. Indulge in calorie-dense and healing foods such as ghee, idlis, avocado, paneer, egg, and healthy vegetables and fruits.
The first week after delivery can be hard and painful for both mother and the baby. The increasing pressure, pain, limited mobility, and demands of the baby can trigger postpartum depression. If you notice feelings of sadness, guilt, or hopelessness, immediately consult with your doctor. Supportive family members can help lessen the burden by assisting with meal preparation, housework, cleaning, and caring for the newborn.
Hang in there. After seven days, you will feel more confident handling your baby, manage breastfeeding better, start getting some sleep, and notice signs of healing.
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.
FAQs on Surviving The First Week Of Motherhood: First Week Home With A Newborn
The first 6 to 8 weeks are mostly difficult with a newborn. They wake up frequently at night and require constant feeding. Their fussiness often peaks around 6 weeks. After around 3 months, babies start to regulate themselves and develop self-soothing skills.
The first hour after birth is the golden hour for a newborn. During this time, it's important to maintain skin-to-skin contact, breastfeed, and bond with the newborn. The new environment may be too cold for the baby. Skin-to-skin contact regulates body temperature, heartbeat, breathing, and blood sugar levels.
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