Bringing a newborn home is an exciting, emotional, and sometimes overwhelming experience. As new parents, you’ve probably been flooded with advice from every direction. But when you’re actually living those first few days and weeks with your newborn, it can be both exhilarating and exhausting. Let’s be honest—no one can prepare you 100% for the rollercoaster of emotions and sleepless nights. But with a few handy tips, you can make those early days a little easier.

In this blog, we’ve rounded up 15 practical tips to help you care for your newborn at home. From sleep to feeding and soothing techniques, these tips will guide you through the whirlwind that is new parenthood.

1. Establish a Sleep Routine Early

Newborns sleep a lot—about 14 to 17 hours a day. While they won’t stick to a strict schedule, you can start laying the foundation for good sleep habits early on. Incorporate calming activities before bed, like dimming the lights, gentle rocking, and playing soothing baby sleep music.

2. Swaddle for Comfort

Swaddling helps your baby feel safe and secure by mimicking the snug environment of the womb. It can also reduce the startle reflex, which often wakes babies up during sleep. Just be sure to swaddle correctly, allowing room for the hips and legs to move.

3. Feed on Demand

During the first few weeks, newborns need to be fed frequently—typically every 2 to 3 hours. Feeding on demand ensures that your baby is getting enough nutrition and can help establish a healthy feeding routine. Watch for hunger cues, such as sucking on their hands or making sucking noises.

4. Create a Calming Sleep Environment

Babies are sensitive to their surroundings, and a peaceful sleep environment can make all the difference. Keep the room cool, dim the lights, and use white noise or sleep time music for kids to create a calming atmosphere.

Joke Alert: Why did the baby bring a blanket to the party? Because they wanted to sleep over!

5. Learn to Read Baby’s Cues

Newborns communicate through body language and sounds. Learning to recognize your baby’s cues—whether they’re hungry, tired, or need a diaper change—can help you respond quickly and keep your baby comfortable.

6. Practice Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for both babies and parents. It helps regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing, while also promoting bonding. Try holding your baby close to your chest, especially during feeding or after a bath.

Fun Fact: Skin-to-skin contact also helps release oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which reduces stress for both baby and parent.

7. Burp Your Baby After Feeding

Babies often swallow air while feeding, which can cause discomfort and lead to fussiness. Be sure to burp your baby after each feeding to release trapped gas. Gently pat their back while holding them upright.

8. Keep Diaper Changes Frequent

Changing your baby’s diaper frequently helps prevent diaper rash and keeps them comfortable. Newborns typically wet 6 to 10 diapers a day, so keep an eye on their diaper to ensure they stay dry.

9. Give Baby Tummy Time

Tummy time is essential for strengthening your baby’s neck, shoulders, and arms. Start with short sessions of tummy time a few times a day and gradually increase the duration as your baby gets stronger.

10. Stay Calm During Fussiness

All babies cry—it’s their way of communicating. If your baby becomes fussy, try different soothing techniques like rocking, swaddling, or offering a pacifier. Sometimes babies just need a little extra comfort to calm down.

Sleep Tip: Playing infant sleep music or gentle lullabies can help calm a fussy baby and create a relaxing environment that encourages sleep.

11. Use a Pacifier Wisely

Pacifiers can be a great soothing tool, especially for fussy babies. Offering a pacifier during naps or bedtime can help comfort your baby and even reduce the risk of SIDS. However, make sure it’s introduced after breastfeeding is well-established if you’re nursing.

12. Take Care of Baby’s Skin

Newborns have sensitive skin, so be gentle when bathing them and avoid using harsh soaps. After bath time, gently pat their skin dry and apply a baby-friendly lotion to keep their skin soft and hydrated.

13. Ask for Help When Needed

Caring for a newborn can be exhausting, especially if you’re doing it on your own. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends, family, or even a professional. Having someone help with housework or watching the baby while you rest can make a huge difference.

14. Maintain Your Own Well-being

Parenting is demanding, but remember to take care of yourself, too. Whether it’s taking a nap when the baby sleeps or enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea, taking time for self-care is essential for your well-being.

15. Bond and Enjoy the Moments

Amid the sleepless nights and diaper changes, don’t forget to enjoy the precious moments with your newborn. Hold your baby close, make eye contact, and talk to them. These early bonding moments are special and help create a strong parent-child connection.

About Sukoonify

At Sukoonify, we understand that peaceful sleep is essential for both babies and parents. Our specially curated Spotify playlists include baby sleep music, sleep time music for kids, and infant sleep music, all designed to create a calming environment for your little one. Our music helps soothe babies, making bedtime a smoother experience for everyone.

Explore our playlists today and discover how the power of music can transform your baby’s bedtime routine, helping them relax and sleep peacefully through the night.

Conclusion: Navigating the Early Days with Confidence

Bringing a newborn home is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging experiences you’ll face as a parent. By following these 15 practical tips, you can help create a nurturing, comfortable environment for your baby while also finding moments of peace for yourself. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, and there’s no such thing as the “perfect” parent. With patience, love, and the right techniques (including a little soothing music from Sukoonify), you’ll navigate these early days with confidence.

Your baby is learning and growing every day, and so are you as a parent. Take it one day at a time, and don’t forget to cherish the small, beautiful moments in between.

FAQs

What should a 1-month-old baby be doing?

At 1 month, babies typically exhibit reflexes like the startle reflex, respond to familiar sounds, and focus on objects close to their face. They also begin developing muscle control during tummy time and recognize their caregiver's voice.

What can baby see at 1 month old?

At 1 month, babies can focus on objects that are 8-12 inches away, mainly recognizing faces during feeding. While their vision is still developing, they may begin tracking movement with their eyes.

Do babies know their mom at 1 month?

Yes, babies can recognize their mom by 1 month. They are familiar with her voice, scent, and touch, forming an emotional bond that helps them feel secure and comforted.