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Newborn Care Basics: Feeding, Safe Sleep, Cord Care and Warning Signs

A practical guide to caring for a newborn: how often to feed, how to sleep safely, cord and skin care, jaundice and when to call a doctor.

By Editorial Team · Updated · 3 min read

Tiny feet of a newborn baby resting on a soft blanket
Photo: Rawpixel · CC0

This article is awaiting review by a qualified medical professional.

Quick answer

Newborns need feeding about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, safe sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface, gentle cord and skin care, and regular check-ups. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Call a doctor promptly if your baby has a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, feeds poorly, is unusually sleepy, has trouble breathing or looks yellow.

The first weeks with a newborn can feel overwhelming. Most of what your baby needs is simple: milk, sleep, warmth, comfort and protection from infection. This guide covers the basics.

Feeding

  • Breast milk is the best food for babies. The WHO recommends breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and exclusively for the first 6 months, then continuing alongside other foods.
  • Formula is a safe alternative when breastfeeding is not possible or chosen. Prepare it exactly as the instructions say, with safe water and clean bottles.
  • Feed on demand, about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours
  • Signs your baby is getting enough: at least 6 heavy wet nappies a day after the first few days, regular soft stools, alert periods and steady weight gain. Most babies regain their birth weight by about 2 weeks.

Safe sleep

Following these steps lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS):

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep
  • Use a firm, flat mattress in a cot or bassinet, with a fitted sheet
  • Keep the sleep space clear: no pillows, bumpers, soft toys or loose blankets
  • Share your room with your baby, but not your bed, ideally for the first 6 months
  • Never let anyone smoke around your baby
  • Avoid overheating: keep the room comfortably cool and dress your baby lightly

Umbilical cord care

Keep the stump clean and dry. Fold the front of the nappy down so it does not cover the stump. Sponge bathe until it falls off, usually within 1 to 3 weeks. Do not pull it off.

Skin, bathing and nappies

  • Newborn skin is delicate. Use plain warm water or mild baby products
  • Change nappies often, and clean gently
  • Cradle cap, baby acne and small rashes are common and usually harmless

Jaundice

More than half of newborns develop yellow skin and eyes in the first week. It is caused by a normal build-up of bilirubin and is usually harmless. Frequent feeding helps. Your midwife or doctor will check for it, and treatment such as light therapy is used if levels are high.

Crying and comforting

Crying is how babies communicate. Check whether your baby is hungry, needs a nappy change, is too hot or cold, or wants a cuddle. Skin-to-skin contact, gentle rocking and quiet talking help. If you feel overwhelmed, put your baby down safely and take a moment, and ask for help. Never shake a baby.

Vitamins and check-ups

Babies are usually given vitamin K at birth to prevent bleeding. Breastfed babies may need a vitamin D supplement, depending on local guidance. Keep all newborn checks and vaccinations.

When to call a doctor or get emergency help

Seek urgent medical help if your newborn:

  • Has a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, or feels cold
  • Is feeding poorly, refusing feeds or vomiting repeatedly
  • Is unusually sleepy, floppy or hard to wake
  • Has difficulty breathing, grunting or blue lips
  • Has yellow skin in the first 24 hours, or jaundice that deepens
  • Has fewer wet nappies than expected
  • Has a red, swollen or discharging cord stump
  • Has a seizure

Trust your instincts. It is always fine to ask for advice.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a newborn feed?

Most newborns feed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, on demand. Look for early hunger signs such as stirring, sucking on hands and turning towards the breast or bottle. Wake a newborn to feed if they sleep for more than 3 to 4 hours, unless your doctor says otherwise.

How much do newborns sleep?

Newborns sleep about 14 to 17 hours a day, in short stretches of 2 to 4 hours, and they do not know day from night yet.

When does the umbilical cord stump fall off?

Usually within 1 to 3 weeks. Keep it clean and dry, and fold the nappy below it. See a doctor if the area is red, swollen, smelly or oozing pus.

Is newborn jaundice dangerous?

Mild jaundice, a yellow tinge to the skin and eyes, is common in the first week and usually goes away on its own. Seek medical advice promptly if it appears in the first 24 hours, gets deeper, or your baby is sleepy, feeding poorly, or has pale stools or dark urine.

Sources

  1. NHS: Caring for a newborn
  2. WHO: Infant and young child feeding

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a doctor or other qualified health professional. See our medical disclaimer.

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