A Newborn Baby Instruction Manual

If only all babies came with a how-to guide

I remember joking with another new mum about how I wish the hospital sent me home with an instruction manual when my first baby was born. I mean, how amazing would that be? My husband and I had no idea what we were doing. What first time parent does? But we managed somehow.

Recently I found this: “The Baby Owner’s Manual” by Louis Borgenicht and Joe Borgenicht. It is amazing, funny, and useful!

For quick tips on feeding, poop, bathing, swaddling and sleep, keep on reading.

Feeding your newborn baby

All the practice and breastfeeding classes in the world did not prepare me for the reality of feeding a newborn baby…both times! I am sure a newborn baby manual would come in handy, if every single baby and parent were the same.

First time around, it took 7 long days for my milk to come through. Second time around it felt like it took only 7 minutes!

First time around, we had no idea what we were doing. Second time around we thought we knew, but she was a completely different bub…so it turns out we had no idea again!

Once I established a breastfeeding routine with my babies, I was lucky enough to have a relatively smooth breastfeeding journey. However, this is not always the case. Many parents choose or need to turn to formula. This is where I provide my most important (and only) piece of advice you should follow. No matter breast or formula, FED IS BEST!

Ignore the people who tell you to only breastfeed. Ignore the people who tell you to formula feed. You do what suits YOU and your baby. This may be an unpopular opinion, especially amongst those who are huge breastfeeding advocates. However, I am of the opinion that even if “breast is best” for bub, it is not always what is best for the mother. The stress and anxiety of trying to breastfeed is ENORMOUS. And I know of some mothers who have come to resent their baby and their constant need to feed. This can prevent bonding. So, why would you force someone to breastfeed who doesn’t want to, is uncomfortable, resentful and may not physically be able to?

How often do you feed your newborn baby

Breastfed babies require feeding every 2–3 hours (8–12 times per day), although it may feel like it is ALL. THE. TIME.

Bottle fed babies will need feeding every 3–4 hours (6–8 times per day), however be guided by your babies cues. Some will need more frequent feedings, some less so.

Pro Tip: FED IS BEST!

Changing nappies

You could fill a whole newborn baby manual just on changing nappies alone!

Colour. Consistency. Frequency. Poopnamis. Bath poops. Shower poops. Photo poops. Types of nappy. The list goes on and on and on.

So let’s keep it simple.

Frequency of poops

A breastfed baby starts off by pooping pretty much every single time they feed, even overnight. It will settle, once the gut matures. They will then range from once to several times a day, to once every few days.

A formula fed baby can go 3–4 times per day, but can also go 3–4 days without pooping.

The contents — colour, texture and size

Let’s start with your baby’s first poop. Meconium.

Meconium is sticky and a dark green/black colour. Like tar. Gross. The first few poos of your baby’s life will be meconium. You will notice it starts to change colour after the first day or two.

The first 6 weeks of poop will range from yellow to green in breastfed babies. The colour and consistency can change with what the mother is eating and drinking, medication she may take and if the baby is not getting enough hind-milk.

Yep…there are two types of milk. Fore-milk, which comes out first, and hind-milk, which is richer and has a higher fat content.

Formula fed babies tend to have more consistency in terms of colour and texture. This is because they are receiving the same thing each time, as opposed to breast-milk which changes according to a mothers diet and health.

Dealing with a sticky situation — poopnamis

I am sure most have seen those photos of babies with poop right up their back. The dreaded poopnamis. Whilst they are messy, you can cope with them easily and effectively.

The best thing is to make sure you always have plenty of supplies:

extra nappies,
wipes,
clothes (for bub and you),
bags to put dirty nappy and clothes in,
and nappy cream.

When dealing with a poopnami, remember to take your time. Snap a few photos or even a video if you want (they will make great 21st birthday photos) Then tackle the mess one wipe at a time!

PRO TIP: make sure you dress your bubba in the onesies or singlets that have overlapping fabric on the shoulders. You can pull these down, rather than over bubs head. No poo in their hair, and hopefully the mess stays contained to the lower half.

Bathing and dressing your baby

Something I learnt with my first bubba is that newborn babies do not need a bath every single day. It can dry out their sensitive skin.

As a first-time mum I also found it hard to fit in every day. Between the frequent feeds, nappy changing and naps, house chores, laundry and tears, it was not a priority.

The bushman’s bath

Each night I would make sure I gave my bubbas what I call a “bushman’s bath”. You know those times you are out camping with no access to showers? You use a washer and some warm water to clean the important parts. A bushman’s bath.

So each evening I would make sure their beautiful little faces were scrubbed clean. Those adorable squishy fat rolls and their bottom and genitals were wiped clean. I would also rub some olive oil into their skin to keep it moisturized and it was a great baby massage to help them relax. Plus the added benefit of calm bonding time.

A proper bath or shower

3–4 times a week we would give our little babies a proper bath or shower. My son always wanted a bath but my daughter preferred showers! Yep, even as newborns they could tell us their preference.

To bath or shower newborn babies safely make sure you:

Time it so they are not hungry or overtired.
Make sure the bathroom is warm.
Have everything you need ready to go.
Baby bath (or the shower) filled.
Warm water — you can use a thermometer to test the water temperature.
Non-slip mat
To hold a baby in the shower we would use a spit-cloth or small hand towel for grip…that baby skin can become super slippery when soapy and wet!
A towel to dry (don’t forget yours if you are showering with bub)
Baby soap/shampoo
Nappy
Pajamas
Take your time and enjoy this bonding time.
Beware the shower or bath poop!

PRO TIP: Jump into the bath with your baby. It helps them feel safe and comfortable and provides that amazing skin-to-skin contact that is so important for bonding.

Dressing your newborn baby

Dress your newborn baby for ease and comfort not fashion. Don’t be fooled by those Instagram photos, reality is far different. I swear every time I put either of my babies in a cute outfit they would poop right up to their armpits, spit up on it or some other nasty!

Your newborn baby may look sweet and harmless, but they turn into an octopus when you’re trying to dress them! Stick to clothes that are super easy to pull on and off, especially pajamas overnight.

PRO TIP: Do NOT use the button up onesies, you don’t want to be trying to do all those annoying little buttons up at 2am after another feeding and pooping session. Go for the zip onesies. Life Changer.

Swaddling your newborn baby

Wrapping your newborn baby helps to settle and calm them for sleep. It also helps them stay on their back, the safest position for sleeping to prevent SIDS.

SIDS guidelines recommend you swaddle your baby until they can roll onto their tummy.

Here is a great video on how to swaddle your baby safely and efficiently!

https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/videos/how-to-wrap-a-baby

PRO TIP: invest in the velcro or zip swaddles! Super easy to use…especially in that 2am sleep deprived delirium!

Which brings us to…sleeping

I am no expert on baby sleeping. And both my babies were so very different.

The biggest advice I can give you, is do what works for you and if your baby is really struggling to sleep seek help sooner, rather than later. Baby sleep coaches, sleep school and consultants are readily available and have such great advice and help for parents.

As a general rule, newborn babies require 16 hours of sleep. However, this isn’t straight. That 16 hours is spread over the full 24 hour period. To begin with, your newborn usually has their day and nights mixed up. Gradually it will flip and they will start sleeping during “normal” hours.

PRO TIP: do whatever works for you and seek help early if your baby is struggling.

The biggest tip of them all

Being a parent is one of life’s greatest joys, but it is relentless and hard.

If you are going to follow any advice, follow this. You do you! What works for you, won’t work for someone else. And no one should judge you for how you choose to parent. Trust in yourself, and the rest will come.

Rachel Maree is a writer, mum and registered nurse. Bringing you the real truth to parenting, nursing and writing (even when it is downright ugly). You can read more articles or hire her to write amazing content for you — Rachel Maree.

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