A Realistic 24 Hours with a Newborn
We never know what that first 24 hours will be like after bringing baby home, BUT we tried to give you a little insight in our realistic 24 hours with a newborn blog 😁😁
Day in the Life: Navigating 24 Hours with Your Newborn
The arrival of a newborn brings immense joy but also a significant adjustment period. Each day with your baby is a new adventure filled with both challenges and precious moments. Understanding what a typical day might look like can help you prepare and set realistic expectations.
Morning (6:00 AM - 12:00 PM):
6:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake-up calls often come early with a newborn. Start the day with a feeding session, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Newborns typically need to eat every 2-3 hours. After feeding, burp your baby to prevent gas buildup.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Diaper changes are frequent. Use this time for some gentle bonding activities like skin-to-skin contact or talking to your baby. You might also want to grab a quick breakfast and a cup of tea or coffee.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Morning nap time for the baby. Use this time to rest if you can. If you’re feeling up to it, light household tasks or a quick shower can be rejuvenating.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM):
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Another feeding session followed by tummy time. This helps strengthen your baby's muscles and prevent flat spots on their head.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Nap time again. You might use this period to have lunch, connect with friends or family, or catch up on some rest.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Awake and alert time. Engage with your baby using simple toys, reading books, or gentle songs. This is also a good time to get outside for a walk if weather permits.
Evening and Night (6:00 PM - 6:00 AM):
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Babies often become fussy in the evenings. Create a calming bedtime routine that might include a bath, feeding, and lullabies. Consistency helps signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep.
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM: Aim for an earlier bedtime. Babies will wake for nighttime feedings, so try to get some sleep when your baby does.
12:00 AM - 6:00 AM: Nighttime feedings and diaper changes can be exhausting. Keep lights low and interactions minimal to help your baby distinguish between day and night. Share nighttime duties with your partner if possible.