Bringing a newborn baby home is a joyful yet emotional time filled with questions, excitement, and moments of self-doubt. This guide offers clear, caring advice on newborn care from preparing for your baby’s arrival to managing feeding, sleep, and essential checkups.
At Pediatric Associates of Austin in Austin, Texas, we support new parents every step of the way. Whether you’re looking for guidance, reassurance, or medical expertise, our providers in Austin are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your newborn’s first visit.
What Parents say:
“Everyone we interacted with today was wonderful! It’s not easy seeing a family of five all at once! We appreciate all the extra efforts put in place to make our visit safe and efficient.”
– Ethan M.
Symptoms & Conditions We Treat
Newborn care begins immediately after birth and includes monitoring your baby’s health, development, and comfort. During the first four weeks of life, your baby will need regular feeding, sleep, diaper changes, and careful observation.
Most babies feed every 2–3 hours and sleep 16–18 hours a day in short periods. Understanding what’s normal for your newborn will help you feel more confident as you adjust to this new phase.
Your newborn’s immune system is still developing, so keeping your baby’s environment clean and avoiding exposure to sick individuals is essential. Always wash your hands before handling your newborn and make sure any family member or visitor who holds the baby has clean hands and is feeling well. If a visitor wants to come see the baby but has “sniffles” or “allergies,” it’s better to postpone the visit until their symptoms have resolved.
Preparing before your due date can ease the transition once your baby is born. Here are some essentials:
Regular infant care checkups with your provider are vital to monitor your baby’s health and development. These visits typically include:
These appointments also give your provider a chance to look for early signs of any medical concerns.
During the first few weeks, you will be caring for your newborn in the following ways:
Make sure you do the following to keep your baby happy and healthy:
Some of the don’ts while caring for your baby include the following:
The first weeks of your baby’s life are filled with joy, learning, and lots of adjustment. You don’t have to navigate it alone. At Pediatric Associates of Austin, our team is dedicated to supporting your family’s health and happiness through expert newborn care.
Schedule your newborn’s first appointment today and let us help you give your baby the safest, healthiest start possible.
Medically reviewed by Emily Woodard, MSN, APRN, CPNP
Some of the common frequently asked questions about newborns include the following:
Breastfed babies should have about six wet diapers and several bowel movements a day. They should appear content after feeds and show steady weight gain.
Formula-fed babies typically have similar patterns of wet diapers—at least six per day—and may have slightly fewer bowel movements than breastfed babies, often one or more per day. Like breastfed babies, they should seem satisfied after feeding and continue gaining weight appropriately.
You can feel confident knowing that we closely track your baby’s weight gain during the first few weeks and months. If it ever seems like your baby isn’t getting enough, we’ll guide you through the next steps. And if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider or one of our lactation counselors—we’re here to support you.
A firm mattress, in a crib or bassinet, with no blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals. Always place babies on their backs to sleep. It’s also important that they have their own sleep space, separate from others. These are all important to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Clean around it gently with warm water. Let it air dry and avoid covering it with tight diapers. If the area becomes red or has an odor, contact your provider.
Contact your provider if your baby has a fever (temperature > 100.4 F measured rectally) , is eating less than usual, has abnormal bowel movements, or if something doesn’t feel right. Trust your instincts.
We never think it’s unnecessary for you to come in if you’re concerned—your peace of mind matters. Even if your baby looks great during the exam, it’s always okay to check in when something feels off to you.
Yes. Many parents limit visitors in the early days to protect their baby’s health and to have time to bond. Don’t feel guilty about setting boundaries. We generally recommend keeping the number of visitors small until the baby receives their 2-month vaccinations. Not only do the vaccines offer added protection, but this is also when a baby’s immune system starts to mature, making them better able to fight off illness.
It’s perfectly okay to turn down visits from people who aren’t supportive. In those early days at home with your baby, it’s important to surround yourself with people who are truly helpful and encouraging.
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