The 411 on Newborns

March 15, 2023 Infant

A new baby brings so much more joy… and often a lot of questions for new parents. Here are some helpful answers to many of the common questions about life with a newborn.

How much and how often should my baby eat?

When your baby is born, their stomach is only the size of a marble, so don’t be worried if they don’t drink much. Their stomach will gradually grow; by day 10, it will be the size of a large chicken egg!

Your baby’s feedings will also depend on their birth weight and if they were born early.

No matter what you feed your baby, it’s best to feed “on demand”—that is, when they show signs of hunger.

When breast/chestfeeding, baby will want to nurse about every 2-3 hours for 20-30 minutes each time. Your milk supply will adjust to the amount that their stomach will hold. During growth spurts, they will feed more often or “cluster feed.”

If formula feeding, at first, they may only drink 1-3 ounces of formula every 3-4 hours. This amount will gradually increase to 4 ounces per feeding around the end of the first month.

How do I know if my baby is hungry?

Look for your baby’s cues or signs that they are hungry such as “rooting” or moving their head around with their mouth open; smacking their lips or chewing on their hands.

Keep in mind “crying” is a late sign of hunger—the feeding will go better if it’s before your baby says, “Feed me now—I’m starving!”

How much crying is normal?

All babies cry—it’s their way of telling you they need something. Most babies have different cries, such as: hunger, pain, distress or anger. Over time you will learn what your baby’s cries mean.

Good ways to help comfort your baby are swaddling, rocking, patting their back, walking, swaying, shushing, singing and car rides. If your baby frequently cries but can’t be easily comforted, talk to their health care provider. Most importantly, even though you are tired and frustrated, never shake or hit your baby. Always ask someone for help.

How much should my baby sleep?

Newborns usually will sleep 16-17 hours a day, but it may only be for 1-2 hours at a time. As they get older, their nap times will be longer and they’ll also be awake for longer periods.

Remember—it is always safest to put babies on their backs to sleep and sleeping in the same bed with your baby (co-sleeping) is not recommended.

Is spitting up normal?

It is very common for a baby to spit up. Some of the reasons babies spit up are: overfeeding, not burping, being laid down flat right after a feeding and reflux.

One important way to prevent spit up is to burp your baby at least once, when you change sides if breast/chestfeeding or halfway through the bottle. Burp your baby more often if they spit up frequently. If your baby often spits up large amounts or seems uncomfortable after spitting up, talk with their health care provider.

Is my baby’s poop normal?

The first few poops will be black and tarry; this is called meconium. Over the first few days of life, your baby’s poop will change in color from black to dark green and/or yellow.

Babies who are fed human milk will have a watery, mustard color poop with little white seed-like curds in it. For formula-fed babies, it will be yellow or tan and a little less watery. Normal colors for poop are yellow, tan, green or brown. If your baby’s poop is gray, white, or red, tell your baby’s health care provider.

How often should my baby poop?

Newborns poop a lot—often after every feeding. While some babies poop less, all babies should have at least 1 poop (bowel movement) a day during their first month.

Between one to two months of age, your baby’s bowel habits will change; the poop will be larger in size and less often.

If you have questions about your newborn, reach out to WIC for help and support. They are happy to help you and your little one as you learn about your new life together!