The first days with a newborn

Feeding: little and often

Newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours, sometimes more in the evenings. Cluster feeding — many short feeds back to back — is normal and usually not a sign of low supply.

Watch the baby, not the clock: rooting, hands to mouth and stirring are early hunger cues. Crying is a late one.

Nappies tell you how feeding is going

• Day 1–2: one to two wet nappies a day, black sticky meconium.
• Day 3–4: stools turn greenish-brown, wet nappies increase.
• From day 5: about six heavy wet nappies and soft yellow stools daily.

Most babies lose weight in the first days and are back to birth weight by around two weeks. Your midwife or child health nurse will weigh and check on this.

Sleep and safe sleep

Newborns sleep 14–17 hours a day, in chunks of 30 minutes to 3 hours, with no day/night rhythm yet. That rhythm starts to appear around 6–8 weeks.

• On the back, on a firm flat mattress, for every sleep.
• No pillows, duvets, bumpers or soft toys in the cot.
• Room-share for the first six months; never sleep with the baby on a sofa.
• Keep the room cool and smoke-free.

The healthcare checks

In Sweden you are registered with a BVC (barnavårdscentral, child health centre). A nurse usually visits at home or sees you within the first week or two, then regularly through the first year — weight, length, feeding, hearing, vaccinations and how you are doing.

Bring your questions written down; the appointments go fast and newborn brain fog is real.

When to call for help

• Fever, or a baby under three months who feels unusually hot or cold.
• Very few wet nappies, refusing to feed, or hard to wake.
• Fast, laboured or grunting breathing, or blue/grey colour.
• Yellow skin or eyes that is spreading or getting stronger.

In Sweden call 1177 for medical advice any time, or 112 in an emergency.

Looking after you

Bleeding for a few weeks, afterpains, sore stitches, sweating and huge emotional swings are all part of the first days. Baby blues around day 3–5 are common and pass.

If low mood, anxiety or intrusive thoughts last more than two weeks, or you feel unable to cope, tell your BVC nurse or midwife. Postnatal depression is common and very treatable.

Practical version: eat and drink whenever the baby feeds, accept every offer of food, keep visitors short, and let the flat be messy.