The First 3 Months: Your Baby Care Guide
Caring for a newborn can feel overwhelming, especially in those first weeks when everything is new. This guide covers the essential daily care tasks and what to expect during your baby’s first three months. Remember: babies are remarkably resilient, and you’ll gain confidence quickly.
Sleep Patterns and Safe Sleep
How Much Newborns Sleep:
- Newborns sleep 14-17 hours total per 24 hours
- Sleep comes in 2-4 hour stretches, day and night
- No predictable pattern yet—totally normal
- Wake to eat every 2-3 hours (sometimes more frequently)
Sleep Is Disorganized: Newborns don’t yet know the difference between day and night. This develops over the first 8-12 weeks.
Safe Sleep Guidelines (Critical):
The ABCs of Safe Sleep:
- Alone: Baby sleeps alone in their own safe sleep space (no blankets, toys, bumpers, or other people)
- Back: Always place baby on back to sleep (reduces SIDS risk by up to 50%)
- Crib/Bassinet: Firm, flat surface with fitted sheet only
Safe Sleep Checklist:
- Firm, flat mattress with tight-fitting sheet
- Nothing else in sleep space: No pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, bumpers, or positioning devices
- Room sharing (not bed-sharing): Baby sleeps in your room in their own bassinet/crib for at least 6 months, ideally 12 months
- No overheating: Room temperature 68-72°F (20-22°C), baby dressed in one more layer than you
- No smoking exposure: Smoke exposure dramatically increases SIDS risk
- Pacifier at sleep time (once breastfeeding established) reduces SIDS risk
Never Put Baby to Sleep:
- On stomach or side
- On soft surface (couch, armchair, waterbed, pillow)
- With blankets, comforters, or quilts
- With stuffed animals or toys
- In adult bed with parents (unless following strict safe co-sleeping protocols)
- In car seat, swing, or bouncer for extended periods
If Baby Falls Asleep Elsewhere: Move to safe sleep space as soon as possible.
Feeding Your Newborn
Breastfeeding: See our dedicated breastfeeding pages for detailed information.
- Feed on demand, 8-12+ times per 24 hours
- Watch baby, not the clock
- Feed at early hunger cues (rooting, hands to mouth, stirring)
Formula Feeding:
- Typically 2-3 ounces per feeding in first weeks, increasing gradually
- Feed when baby shows hunger cues
- Never prop bottle—always hold baby while feeding
- Discard unfinished formula after one hour
Both:
- Burp baby mid-feed and after feeding
- Baby may spit up small amounts (normal)
- Track wet diapers and stools to ensure adequate intake
Diapering Essentials
How Often to Change:
- Newborns need 8-12 diaper changes per day
- Change before or after each feeding
- Change immediately after bowel movement
Diaper Changing Steps:
- Gather supplies before starting (diaper, wipes, barrier cream)
- Never leave baby unattended on changing table
- Clean thoroughly, front to back (especially for girls)
- Let air dry briefly if possible (prevents rash)
- Apply barrier cream if skin looks red
- Fasten diaper snugly but not too tight
Diaper Rash Prevention:
- Change diapers promptly
- Clean thoroughly but gently
- Let baby’s bottom air dry when possible
- Use barrier cream (zinc oxide or petroleum jelly) with each change
- Try different diaper brands if rash persists
When to Call Doctor About Diaper Rash:
- Bright red, raw, or bleeding
- Blisters or open sores
- Doesn’t improve after 2-3 days of treatment
- Fever present
Normal Newborn Stools:
- First days: Black, sticky meconium
- Days 3-5: Transition to greenish-brown
- Breastfed: Yellow, seedy, mustard-like (may be after every feeding or only once every few days—both normal)
- Formula-fed: Tan or yellow, firmer consistency, 1-4 times daily
Bathing Your Newborn
How Often: 2-3 times per week is plenty for newborns (daily baths not necessary and can dry skin). Spot clean diaper area and face daily.
Until Cord Falls Off (Usually 1-2 Weeks): Give sponge baths only—don’t submerge baby in water.
Sponge Bath Steps:
- Gather supplies: washcloth, towel, mild baby soap, clean diaper and clothes
- Keep room warm (75-80°F)
- Place baby on soft, safe surface (never leave unattended)
- Keep baby covered except area you’re washing
- Wash face with water only (no soap)
- Wash body with mild soap and water
- Wash diaper area last
- Pat dry and dress quickly
After Cord Falls Off: Can give tub baths in infant tub or sink.
Tub Bath Steps:
- Fill tub with 2-3 inches of warm water (test with elbow—should feel warm, not hot)
- Support baby’s head and neck at all times
- Lower baby into water feet first
- Keep one hand supporting baby always
- Wash face with water only
- Wash body with small amount of mild soap
- Wash hair last (babies lose heat through head)
- Bath takes only 5-10 minutes
- Lift out and wrap immediately in towel
Bath Safety:
- Never leave baby alone in bath, even for a second
- Have everything ready before starting
- If you forget something, take baby with you
- Water temperature: 100°F (38°C)—test with elbow or bath thermometer
- Support head above water at all times
Umbilical Cord Care
What to Expect: The umbilical cord stump dries, darkens, and falls off within 1-2 weeks (sometimes up to 3 weeks).
Cord Care:
- Keep it dry: Sponge baths only until cord falls off
- Keep it clean: If it gets dirty, clean gently with water
- Fold diaper down: Don’t cover cord with diaper
- No special products needed: No alcohol or other treatments necessary
Normal:
- Stump appears dried and darkened
- Small amount of blood when cord falls off
- Small crusty spot after cord falls off
Call Doctor If:
- Red, swollen, or tender skin around base of cord
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Oozing pus
- Bleeding more than a few drops
- Fever
Handling and Holding Your Newborn
Always Support Head and Neck: Newborns don’t have head control yet—always support their head when holding.
Safe Holding Positions:
- Cradle hold: Baby’s head in crook of your elbow
- Shoulder hold: Baby upright against your chest, head on your shoulder
- Football hold: Baby along your forearm, head in your hand
- Face-down hold: Baby face-down along your forearm (good for gas)
Picking Up Baby:
- Slide one hand under head and neck
- Slide other hand under bottom
- Lift smoothly while supporting both areas
It’s Okay To:
- Hold baby as much as you want—you can’t spoil a newborn
- Let baby sleep on you (if you’re awake and alert)
- Carry baby in carrier or sling
Never:
- Shake baby (even gently)—can cause serious brain injury or death
- Play roughly
- Throw baby in air
Soothing Your Baby
Why Babies Cry:
- Hungry (most common)
- Tired
- Needs diaper change
- Too hot or cold
- Overstimulated
- Needs comfort/contact
- Gas or digestive discomfort
- Sometimes no apparent reason
Soothing Techniques:
The 5 S’s (Dr. Harvey Karp):
- Swaddle: Wrap snugly in blanket
- Side/Stomach position: Hold on side or stomach (not for sleeping)
- Shush: Make loud “shh” sound near baby’s ear
- Swing: Gentle rhythmic motion
- Suck: Offer breast, bottle, or pacifier
Other Soothing Methods:
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Walking or rocking
- White noise (vacuum, fan, white noise machine)
- Baby-wearing in carrier
- Warm bath
- Infant massage
- Car ride
- Change of scenery
Purple Crying (Weeks 2-4): Many babies have increased crying in evening hours (often 6-10 PM) between weeks 2-4. This is normal “purple crying” or “witching hour.” It passes.
When Crying Feels Overwhelming:
- Put baby in safe place (crib)
- Take a break in another room
- Call someone for support
- Never shake baby
- It’s okay to let baby cry safely in crib while you calm down
Newborn Warning Signs—When to Call Doctor
Call Pediatrician During Business Hours:
- Not eating well
- Fewer wet diapers than expected (fewer than 6 after day 5)
- Seems very sleepy, hard to wake
- Persistent fussiness
- Seems uncomfortable
Call Immediately or Seek Emergency Care:
- Fever: Rectal temperature 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in baby under 3 months
- Breathing problems: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, flaring nostrils, chest retractions
- Lethargy: Won’t wake, extremely limp, unresponsive
- Poor color: Blue or gray skin, lips, or tongue
- Persistent vomiting: Especially if projectile
- Blood in stool: More than small streak
- Dehydration: Very few or no wet diapers, no tears when crying, sunken soft spot
- Seizure or stiffness
- Umbilical cord infection signs
- Jaundice: Yellowing skin/eyes, especially if worsening
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels wrong, call your doctor. Never worry about “bothering” them—that’s what they’re there for.
Newborn Health Maintenance
First Pediatrician Visit: Usually within 3-5 days after hospital discharge
Well-Baby Visits:
- 1 week
- 2 weeks
- 1 month
- 2 months
- Regular schedule thereafter
What Happens at Visits:
- Weight, length, and head circumference measured
- Physical examination
- Developmental assessment
- Vaccinations (see our Immunization Schedule page)
- Time for your questions
Come Prepared:
- List of questions
- Feeding and diapering log
- Concerns about development or behavior
You’re Doing Great
Newborn care feels overwhelming at first—that’s completely normal. Every parent feels unsure and anxious in the beginning. Trust yourself, ask for help when needed, and know that you’ll gain confidence quickly. Your baby doesn’t need perfection—they need your love, care, and responsiveness. You’ve got this.