The First 3 Months: Your Newborn Care Survival Guide
- Richelle Gonzalez-Brown
- Sep 30, 2023
- 4 min read
The first three months with a newborn can feel like one big blur of feedings, diaper changes, and sleepless nights. As a pediatrician with over 10 years of experience, I've guided many parents through the highs and lows of newborn care. While the beginning is all about survival mode, you'll be amazed at how quickly your baby blossoms and how your confidence grows as a parent. This post breaks down what to expect during your baby's first three months and offers tips to help you both thrive:
Month 1 - Adjusting to Life with a Newborn
The first month home with your newborn is full of huge adjustments. Don't underestimate how big of a life change this is! Your priorities are now this tiny, helpless human. You may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, or unsure if you're doing things "right." Here are some tips to ease this transition:
Feeding
Let your baby set the pace and feed on demand every 1.5-3 hours. Watch for hunger cues like rooting, mouthing, or crying.
If breastfeeding, keep a log to track feeding duration from each breast. Aim for 8-12 feeds per day.
If formula feeding, stick to about 2-3 ounces per feeding every 2-3 hours.
Avoid overfeeding which can lead to spitting up or vomiting.
Sleep
Newborns need 14-17 hours of sleep per day but only sleep 2-3 hours at a time.
Establish a calming bedtime routine early, like a bath, swaddle, feeding, then lights out.
When drowsy signs appear, immediately put baby down on their back in a bassinet or crib.
Manage expectations - you'll be losing a lot of sleep this month! Take naps when possible.
Crying
Crying peaks at 6-8 weeks and tapers off around 12 weeks.
Comfort methods like swaddling, shushing, swinging, and pacifiers can help soothe a crying bout.
Check for hunger, dirty diaper, overstimulation. If baby keeps crying try a carrier, stroller or car ride.
Never shake or handle baby forcefully. Place in crib and walk away if needed.
Development
Your newborn will begin recognizing your face and voice.
Provide tactile stimulation by holding baby close and caressing while feeding.
Activities & Play
Skin-to-skin contact supports bonding, so keep baby close in a carrier.
Read, sing, and talk to your newborn - they love hearing your voice.
Bonding
Ensure both parents get chances for skin-to-skin contact. Take shifts soothing the baby.
Spend time together daily focused just on your newborn without distractions.
Health & Safety
Expect a weight gain of about 1 ounce per day. Keep doctor visits to monitor growth.
Log diapers to ensure 6-8 wet and 3-4 dirty diapers in 24 hours.
Newborns sneeze often. Call doctor about any fever over 100.4F rectally.
Jaundice is common in first 2 weeks. Get bilirubin levels tested if excessive yellowing.
Parent Self-Care
Rest as much as possible, accept help from loved ones.
Stay hydrated, eat small meals throughout the day.
Discuss concerns about mood, anxiety or depression with your provider.
Do light walks and kegel exercises, avoid heavy activity for 4-6 weeks
Month 2 - Routine and Development
By month two you've got this whole parenting thing down, right? Maybe not just yet, but you and baby have hopefully settled into more of a groove and mastered the basic newborn care essentials. Now is when you can start establishing routines and get to know your baby's unique personality
Feeding
Aim for a consistent feeding schedule about every 2-3 hours during the day.
Recognize hunger cues like sucking fingers and moving head side to side.
Monitor number of wet/dirty diapers to ensure adequate intake.
Sleep
Establish a consistent nap-eat-play routine.
Put baby down when drowsy but awake.
Note awake periods between naps - they may range 30min - 2hrs at this age.
Crying
Provides comfort for crying including swaddling, white noise, motion.
Crying peaks around 6-8 weeks and decreases after that.
Check for causes like hunger, dirty diaper or overstimulation.
Development
Milestones like smiling and cooing.
Work on neck control through supervised tummy time.
Activities & Play
Use floor gyms and mirrors for visual stimulation.
Hold toys within reach and watch for coordination milestones like grasping.
Bonding
Maintain skin-to-skin contact as much as possible.
Chat, read, sing and play peekaboo. Babies love faces and voices.
Health & Safety
Discuss baby's development progress at 2 month pediatrician visit.
Keep vaccinations on schedule for building immunity.
Use sun protection like hats, shade and sunscreen when outside.
Parent Self-Care
Stay connected with friends and family for support. -Aim to shower daily, eat well, and take time for yourself.
Sleep or nap when the baby sleeps.
Month 3 - Settling In
You made it through the foggy newborn haze! By now you've likely gotten the hang of caring for your little one. Month 3 allows babies to start really showing their personality, routines take shape, and you may finally start feeling like yourself again.
Feeding
Offer breastmilk or formula on demand, every 2.5-4 hrs typically.
Burp frequently during feedings to avoid gas.
Provide tummy time after feeding to reduce reflux.
Sleep
Maintain consistent nap and bedtime routines.
Note total sleep time and optimal wake windows.
Put baby down drowsy but awake to self-soothe to sleep.
Crying
Respond to cries promptly to build trust and reduce escalation.
Colic and purple crying peak around 6-8 weeks then improve.
Have solutions handy like swings, white noise, pacifiers.
Development
Smiles spontaneously, especially at people
Follows moving objects with eyes
Recognizes familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
Responds to sounds by making sounds
Begins to roll over from tummy to back.
Activities & Play
Allow supervised tummy time daily.
Use activity mats, baby gyms, mirrors and floor play.
Hold "conversations" by mimicking baby's sounds.
Bonding
Maintain eye contact, respond to smiles and coos.
Incorporate infant massage into routine.
Read, sing and talk together daily.
Health & Safety
Discuss sleep habits, feeding, development at 4 month pediatric visit.
Use rear-facing car seat properly secured. Never leave baby alone in car.
Keep small objects and choking hazards out of reach.
Parent Self-Care
Accept help from loved ones - you still need breaks!
Stay connected with friends and community.
Make time for hobbies, exercise and self-care.
The most important tip: be kind and patient with yourself! You're building confidence in parenthood one day at a time. As routines take shape and your baby's personality emerges this month, try to soak it all in and celebrate each moment along this amazing journey.
Did you find value in this survival guide for the first 3 months with your little one? I've poured even more of my knowledge and experience as a pediatrician and mom into my eBook, "Baby Steps." From detailed insights on feeding, decoding sleep patterns, to understanding your baby's early milestones, this guide is a must-have for first-time parents.
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