What to Expect in the First Week Home With Baby
A Doula’s Gentle Guide for New Parents
You did it! You brought your baby home!
Now what?
The first week postpartum is raw, beautiful, emotional, and often overwhelming. As a postpartum doula, I’ve walked alongside many families in these early days, and one thing is always true: you’re not supposed to know how to do it all.
This post is here to gently prepare you, ease the stress, and remind you, you’re doing better than you think.
🐣 Your Baby’s First Week: What’s Normal?
Let’s start with your baby. Newborns are beautifully mysterious little humans. Here’s what’s typically normal (even if it feels confusing):
💤 Lots of Sleep… and Lots of Wakeups
Newborns sleep 16–18 hours a day, but not all at once. Expect short stretches of sleep (45 minutes to 3 hours) day and night. It's normal for babies to mix up days and nights, that “day/night confusion” won’t last forever.
🍼 Frequent Feeding
Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, or formula-feeding, newborns eat a lot, usually every 2–3 hours (yes, even overnight). Cluster feeding, (when baby wants to nurse or feed repeatedly for hours), is normal, especially around day 2–3.
💩 So. Many. Diapers.
Expect at least 6–8 wet diapers a day and several poopy ones (the color and texture will change from sticky black meconium to mustard seedy yellow and yep, that’s normal). If you're ever unsure, your pediatrician or doula can help decipher the diaper mysteries.
😢 Crying is Communication
Newborns cry. It’s how they say, “Hey! I’m hungry, I’m cold, I’m tired, I just left the womb and it’s wild out here!” Responding with love builds trust, you’re not spoiling your baby. You’re meeting their needs.
💛 Your Postpartum Body & Emotions
While everyone’s watching the baby, I’m here to remind you: you matter too. Here’s what you might experience:
🩸 Bleeding (Lochia)
Bleeding is normal and can last up to 6 weeks, starting bright red and tapering off. If you’re soaking a pad in under an hour or passing large clots, call your provider.
🫠 Cramps, Soreness, and Swelling
Your uterus is shrinking (yes, that means cramps unfortunately, sorry mama!). If you had a vaginal birth, you may also feel sore. Ice packs, witch hazel pads, and rest are your friends.
🧠 The Baby Blues
About 85% of birthing people experience the “baby blues” in the first week, mood swings, crying, anxiety, and exhaustion. This is normal. But if sadness, anxiety, or overwhelm feel like too much or last beyond 2 weeks, please reach out. You’re not alone, and help is available.
🛏 Realistic Expectations for Week One
Here’s the truth:
You won’t get everything done.
You don’t need a perfect routine.
Your only job is to rest, feed the baby, and let others help you.
Try to:
Sleep when the baby sleeps (easier said than done, but even 20-minute naps help)
Drink water every time you feed your baby
Let someone else take care of you, whether that’s your partner, a family member, or your postpartum doula
👩🍼 How a Postpartum Doula Can Help
This is exactly where I come in.
The first week is about gentle hands-on support, calm reassurance, and small wins.
As your doula, I can help with:
Newborn care (feeding, soothing, diapering, sleep)
Your physical recovery
Feeding support (whether breastfeeding, pumping, or bottle-feeding)
Emotional check-ins and encouragement
Light household help (laundry, tidying, bottle prep)
Educating and empowering you, one step at a time
You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Final Thoughts: It’s Okay If It Feels Hard
The first week home with your baby is like no other time in your life, messy, magical, and full of big feelings.
Just remember:
You are not failing.
You are not alone.
You were made for this, one moment at a time.
If you’re looking for support, I’d love to walk alongside your family.
Melodies in Bloom Doula Services LLC offers daytime, evening, and overnight postpartum care in Raleigh, Clayton, and surrounding areas. 💛
Let’s Bloom Together.