{"id":628,"date":"2026-10-21T10:13:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T10:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/?p=628"},"modified":"2026-10-20T10:15:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T10:15:40","slug":"the-first-72-hours-with-your-newborn-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/the-first-72-hours-with-your-newborn-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"The First 72 Hours With Your Newborn: A Simple Guide for First-Time Mothers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The First Days With Your Baby Can Feel Overwhelming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The relatives have gone home. The room is quiet, and your tiny baby is lying beside you. You look at your little one and feel a love that is hard to explain. But along with that love, you may also feel scared. Is your baby drinking enough milk? Why is the baby sleeping so much? Is that yellow colour on the skin normal? Is the cord healing well?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are asking these questions, you are not alone. The first few days with a newborn can bring many new feelings and worries, especially for first-time mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the first 72 hours, most healthy newborns sleep for much of the day, feed around 8\u201312 times in 24 hours and pass their first dark stools. Some babies may also develop a yellow skin colour called jaundice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep your baby close, offer breast milk often, keep the cord clean and dry, and attend all planned checkups. Most importantly, know which signs need a doctor&#8217;s help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let&#8217;s walk through those first three days together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The First 72 Hours, Hour by Hour<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every baby is different, so your newborn may not follow the exact same pattern as another baby. Still, knowing what usually happens can help you feel more ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>When<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What may happen<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What you can do<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>First hour<\/td><td>Your baby may be awake and ready to look around.<\/td><td>Hold your baby against your bare chest, keep warm, and try the first breastfeed with help from a nurse if needed.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1\u20136 hours<\/td><td>The care team checks your baby&#8217;s health and may give vitamin K and birth vaccines.<\/td><td>Ask which checks and vaccines have been given. Keep the baby&#8217;s health and vaccine records safe.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6\u201324 hours<\/td><td>Your baby may sleep a lot and should pass urine within the first day.<\/td><td>Offer feeds often, usually every 2\u20133 hours or when your baby shows hunger signs. Keep your baby warm.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>24\u201348 hours<\/td><td>Your baby may become more awake and feed more often. The first stool is usually black and sticky. Yellow skin may begin to appear.<\/td><td>Watch feeding and nappy changes. Ask the care team about jaundice checks and other tests before going home.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>48\u201372 hours<\/td><td>Your baby may feed more often. Milk supply may begin to rise, and stools may start changing colour.<\/td><td>Attend the planned follow-up visit. Ask for help if feeding is difficult or your baby seems unwell.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first stool is called <em>meconium<\/em>. It is dark and sticky and usually passes during the first day or two. It may look strange, but it is a normal part of your baby&#8217;s first days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A baby&#8217;s first bath can usually wait for at least 24 hours after birth. Keeping your baby warm and close to you is more important than giving an early bath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of these changes are normal. The key is to know what to watch for and when to ask for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Feeding and Nutrition in the First Three Days<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Feeding is one of the biggest worries for new mothers. You may wonder whether your baby is getting enough milk, especially when the feeds seem short or your baby wants to feed again soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first milk is called <em>colostrum<\/em>. In Tamil, many families call it <em>seempal<\/em>. It is thick and often yellowish. Your body makes small amounts of this milk, which is just right for your newborn&#8217;s tiny stomach. It also gives your baby important protection against illness. Do not throw it away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Learn your baby&#8217;s hunger signs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your baby may be hungry if they:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Turn their head towards your breast.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Put their hands near their mouth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open their mouth or move their lips.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stir or become more active.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crying is often a late sign of hunger. Try feeding when you first notice these signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most newborns need about 8\u201312 feeds in 24 hours. Some may want to feed several times close together, especially in the evening. This is called cluster feeding and does not always mean you have too little milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your baby sleeps for more than about three hours without feeding in these early days, ask your doctor or nurse whether you should gently wake the baby to feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How can you tell if feeding is going well?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your baby&#8217;s mouth should open wide around the breast, the chin should touch the breast, and you may hear or see regular swallowing. Feeding should not cause ongoing pinching or strong pain. If it does, ask a nurse or breastfeeding helper to check the baby&#8217;s latch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is common for babies to lose some weight in the first few days. Many regain their birth weight by around two weeks. Your baby&#8217;s doctor can check whether the weight change is within the expected range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the first six months, breast milk alone is usually recommended unless a doctor advises otherwise. Do not give water, honey, sugar water, jaggery water or gripe water to a newborn. Do not add formula or other feeds unless needed and advised by a health professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skin-to-skin contact can help your baby stay warm and support feeding. Fathers and other family members can also enjoy skin-to-skin time when it is safe to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mothers need care, too. Eat regular meals, drink when thirsty and enjoy home-cooked foods such as dal, ragi, greens and rasam. Ask your doctor before taking herbal drinks or traditional medicines. If your baby needs expressed milk or formula, ask the care team how to prepare and feed it safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, you do not have to figure out everything on your own. Asking for feeding help is a good step for both you and your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Newborn Sleep and Behaviour: What Is Normal?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Newborn sleep can seem strange at first. Your baby may sleep for a few hours, wake for a feed, fall asleep again and then wake just when you are ready to rest. This is normal in the early days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Newborns often sleep around 14\u201317 hours over a full day, but their sleep comes in short periods. They have not yet learned the difference between day and night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whenever possible, rest when your baby sleeps. Let family members help with meals, housework and other tasks so you can recover from birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strange things your baby may do<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some newborn behaviours can look worrying even when they are normal. Your baby may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jump suddenly when hearing a sound.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Move their arms and legs in a jerky way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have hiccups or sneezes often.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make small noises while breathing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop a mild skin rash.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have slightly swollen breasts due to hormones passed from the mother.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, fast or difficult breathing, blue or very pale skin, a baby who is hard to wake, or unusual movements that look like fits need urgent medical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Help your baby sleep safely.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm, flat surface made for infant sleep. Keep pillows, soft toys, loose blankets and other soft items away from the baby&#8217;s face. A separate cot or bassinet beside your bed is a safer choice than sharing the same bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid leaving a baby sleeping in a hanging cloth cradle or <em>thottil<\/em> unless the setup meets safe-sleep guidance. Never let cloth cover the baby&#8217;s face or neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When your baby cries, check for hunger, a wet nappy or a need for comfort. Holding your baby close, speaking softly or gently rocking them may help. If you feel overwhelmed, place your baby safely in the cot and ask someone you trust for help. Never shake a baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep visitors to a manageable number. Ask everyone to wash their hands, and keep people with a cough, cold or fever away from your newborn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New mothers may feel tearful or emotional during the first days. If sadness is very strong, you feel unable to cope, or it lasts beyond two weeks, speak to your doctor. Get help sooner if you feel unsafe or have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Your Baby&#8217;s Nappies Can Tell You<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nappy changes may not be the most exciting part of parenthood, but they can tell you a lot about feeding and your baby&#8217;s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the first few days, the number of wet nappies usually rises as your baby takes in more milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Baby&#8217;s age<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Wet nappies to look for<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Usual stool colour<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Day 1<\/td><td>At least 1<\/td><td>Black and sticky<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Day 2<\/td><td>At least 2<\/td><td>Dark, starting to change<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Day 3<\/td><td>At least 3\u20134<\/td><td>Greenish-brown<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Day 4\u20135 onwards<\/td><td>Usually 6 or more in 24 hours<\/td><td>Yellow and soft in many breastfed babies<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These numbers are useful guides, but they do not replace a feeding and health check. If your baby has fewer wet nappies than expected, is feeding poorly or has no urine for many hours, contact a doctor promptly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may see orange-pink marks in the nappy during the first two or three days. These can be caused by urate crystals and may be harmless at first. If they continue after the early days, ask your doctor to check your baby&#8217;s feeding and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pay attention to stool colour, too. White, very pale or clay-coloured stools need prompt medical review. Dark yellow-brown urine, especially with yellow skin, also needs a doctor&#8217;s check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In hot weather, change wet or dirty nappies often. Clean the skin gently, let it dry and avoid talcum powder, which babies can breathe in by mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If something looks different from what you were told to expect, do not feel that you are worrying too much. Ask your baby&#8217;s doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Medical Checks, Jaundice, Cord Care and When to Call a Doctor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you leave the hospital, ask the care team about your baby&#8217;s weight, feeding, birth vaccines and any needed checks for jaundice or other health concerns. Ask whether hearing checks and other newborn screening tests have been done or are planned. Keep the baby&#8217;s health and vaccination records safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arrange the first follow-up visit as advised, often around day three. Your doctor or local health worker can help check feeding, weight and your baby&#8217;s general health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What should you know about jaundice?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jaundice makes a baby&#8217;s skin and the whites of the eyes look yellow. It is common in newborns and often appears after the first 24 hours. However, it still needs attention because high levels can be harmful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contact a doctor urgently if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Yellow skin appears during the first 24 hours after birth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The yellow colour spreads to the tummy, legs, palms or soles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your baby is very sleepy or does not feed well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your baby has pale stools or dark urine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A doctor may check the bilirubin level, which is the substance that causes the yellow colour. Some babies need treatment with special lights called phototherapy. Do not use sunbathing as a treatment. Keep feeding your baby often unless your doctor gives different advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How should you care for the cord?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep the cord stump clean and dry. Fold the top of the nappy below it and let the stump fall off by itself, often within one to two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not put turmeric, kumkum, vibhuthi, oil, powder or cow dung on the cord. These may cause infection. Seek medical advice if the skin around the cord becomes red, there is pus or a bad smell, or bleeding continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not put kajal in your baby&#8217;s eyes or oil inside the nose or ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When does your baby need urgent medical help?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Go to a doctor or hospital urgently if your newborn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Refuses feeds or suddenly stops feeding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has a temperature of 38\u00b0C or higher, or feels unusually cold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breathes very fast, struggles to breathe or has the skin pulling in around the chest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has blue or very pale skin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is very sleepy, limp or difficult to wake.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has movements that look like fits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vomits green fluid or keeps vomiting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Passes no urine for many hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New mothers also need care after birth. Get medical help for heavy bleeding, fever, foul-smelling discharge, a severe headache or breast pain with redness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You do not need to wait for a planned visit if something feels wrong. It is always better to ask for help early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Support for You and Your Baby<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need extra <a href=\"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/breastfeeding-support\">help with feeding<\/a>, newborn care or follow-up visits, Meera Maternity Centre in Kumbakonam offers <a href=\"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/breastfeeding-support\">breastfeeding support<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/pediatric\">paediatric care<\/a> and home services, including lactation support and <a href=\"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/vaccination\">vaccination<\/a>. The centre also has a <a href=\"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/nicu\">NICU<\/a> for babies who need extra care. Contact the centre through <a href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/8925990190\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WhatsApp<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/contact\">book an appointment<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Disclaimer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article is for general information only and is not a replacement for advice from a doctor. Every baby is different. If you are worried about your newborn or yourself, contact your doctor or hospital promptly. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The First Days With Your Baby Can Feel Overwhelming The relatives have gone home. The room is quiet, and your tiny baby is lying beside you. You look at your little one and feel a love that is hard to explain. But along with that love, you may also feel scared. Is your baby drinking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":629,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pediatric"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=628"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":630,"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628\/revisions\/630"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meeramaternity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}