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Taking Your Baby Home After Giving Birth

Congratulations on taking your new baby home. Below is important information to review on taking care of your new baby at home.

Feeding Your Baby

  • Feeding a newborn is a vital concern for parents. Experts support the idea of only feeding your baby breast milk (exclusive breastfeeding). This can be challenging as well as rewarding. To help make sure your newborn is getting enough breast milk, do the following:

    • Keep track of how often the baby feeds

    • Keep track of wet and dirty diapers

    • Follow up with your pediatric healthcare provider regularly

  • During the first few days and weeks, breastfeed 8 to 12 times a day. Often the feedings will come in “clusters.” These early feedings may last only a few minutes. Over time, feeding sessions may happen less often, but they may last longer.

  • Experts recommend that newborns feed on demand. This means that you feed your baby whenever they shows signs of hunger, rather than setting a strict schedule. Infants eat when they are hungry and stop eating when they are full.  However, you may have to wake a sleepy baby to feed in the first few days after birth.

  • Bottle-feeding (with breast milk or formula) occurs every 2-3 hours at first.

  • By 1-2 months, most babies have a set feeding routine. However, your baby's routine may change at times. For example, your baby may be hungry more often during growth spurts.

  • In addition to sucking during feeding, infants may also suck for comfort. This is known as a non-nutritive suck.

  • Do not give any milk other than breastmilk or formula until your baby is 1 years old. Regular cow, goat or soy milk does not have the nutrients that very young babies need to grow and develop properly. They are also very hard for young babies to digest.

  • Do not give your baby any water. Babies do not usually need water until around 6 months of age. Talk to your pediatrician about when to starting introducing water to your baby.

  • If you have any concerns regarding your baby feeding, please call the Warm Line at 212-263-BABY (2229). Please leave a message and a lactation consultant will call you back.

If you are only breastfeeding, be sure to contact a lactation consultant or healthcare provider if you observe any of the following:

  • If the baby is not effectively nursing at least 8 to 12 times a day.

  • If there are fewer than expected wet diapers in the first week. Or, if after the first week, there are fewer than 6 wet diapers in a 24-hour period.

  • If your baby’s stool is not transitioning from meconium (black stool) to loose yellow, green or brown stools.

  • If you have cracked nipples or breastfeeding is painful.

Diaper Changes

  • Check your baby's diaper regularly. If it needs to be changed, do it as soon as you can. You can apply skin protecting ointment like Aquaphor, Vaseline and Desitin to help prevent diaper rash. 

  • The baby gets hydrated through breastmilk or formula. Not getting enough breastmilk or formula can make your baby dehydrated.

  • For the first few days, your baby will have as many wet diapers as they are days old. For example, when they are 2 days old they should have at least 2 wet diapers. After the first few days, expect 6 or more wet diapers a day.

  • The baby’s dirty diaper (stool) pattern varies. Sometimes there will be stool after or during each feed. Other times there will be fewer dirty diapers a day. 

Umbilical Cord Care

  • The umbilical cord will dry out and fall off on its own after 1 to 4 weeks.

  • Keep the diaper below the drying cord to allow it to stay clean and dry.

  • Do not pick at or pull off the cord.   

  • You do not need to use alcohol to clean or wipe the cord unless your pediatric care provider instructs you to do so.

  Tummy to Play

  • Start tummy time when the umbilical cord falls off. This happens around 10 to 12 days after birth. Give your baby tummy time when they are awake 2-3 times per day. This will help prevent flat head (plagiocephaly). This can help your baby’s muscle strength and development.

  • Roll them over or pick them up when they are falling asleep or start to get fussy.

Bathing the Baby

Whenever you are giving a bath, NEVER leave your baby alone

  • An immersion or swaddled immersion tub bathing is a safe and well-tolerated way of bathing newborns compared to sponge bathing. Tub baths do not delay cord healing. However, make sure to dry the umbilical cord after the bath.

  • You may also use sponge bathing. It is also safe.

  • Experts recommend keeping bath time to 5-10 minutes.

  • The baby needs to be bathed 2 - 3 times per week. Too much bathing can make their skin dry. 

  • Newborns body temperature will stabilize after birth. For this reason, they do not need to wear hats unless it is cool inside or outside the home. An ideal room temperature is 70°-72° Fahrenheit (21°-22° Celsius).

Bathing instructions:

  • Gather all of your supplies before starting.

  • Use a supportive infant bathtub.

  • Ideal bath water temperature is 98° - 100° F (36° - 38° c).

  • Place your baby in the bathtub / bathwater. Cover their chest with an extra washcloth to keep them warm.

  • Wash the baby’s face with water only. Clean each eye from inner corner to outer. Be sure to use a fresh section of washcloth for each eye.

  • Cleanse hair and body with a mild baby wash. Rinse with water.

  • Carefully lift your baby out of the bathwater and into a towel.

  • Dry your baby well before putting on a clean diaper and clothing.

If you have any further questions about bathing your baby, please speak with your baby’s healthcare provider.

Safe Sleep

To prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), always practice safe sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following safe sleep practices. 

  • Infants should sleep on their back, in their own crib or bassinet. 

  • Use a firm sleep surface. If you have a used crib check that it meets the most up-to-date safety requirements. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website (www.cpsc.gov).

  • Babies should not sleep in car seats, bouncy chairs and swings for more than 3 hours.

  • Ensure there is nothing in your baby’s sleep space that could be hazardous including head positioning pillows and loose bedding, toys etc.

  • Pacifiers at sleep are fine.  Babies have a non-nutritive suck and this can be helpful for calming and soothing your baby. Do not force the baby to take a pacifier. Do not put any sweet solution on the pacifier. Always clean the pacifiers. Throw away if damaged or broken.

  • Avoid overheating the baby’s sleep space. Temperature of the room should be comfortable for an adult. Keep the baby’s head and face uncovered when sleeping.  

Share the room, never the bed

  • Do not co-sleep or share the bed with your baby.

  • Keep your baby's individual sleep space (crib / bassinet) in the same room you sleep in. This is recommended for the first 6 months.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

NEVER SHAKE YOUR BABY!

  • Shaken Baby Syndrome is serious brain damage that happens when a baby is violently shaken, slammed, or thrown. This is a form of child abuse and occurs when a caregiver loses control.

  • Caring for a baby can be tough, especially when they cry a lot. It's normal for babies to cry for 1 to 5 hours a day during the first few months. Crying is usually a sign that they are hungry, tired, need a diaper change, or just want to be held.

  • If you ever feel overwhelmed, put your baby down in a safe place and take a break. Reach out to a family member, friend, or healthcare provider for support. You can also call the NYS Parent Helpline at 1-800-342-7474 for help.

  • Postpartum depression and anxiety are common and can affect both parents. There are many resources available to help you. Check your postpartum discharge instructions for a complete list of resources.

  • For more information and tips on keeping your baby safe and preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome, please refer to the Safe Babies New York brochure.

  • If you think your baby has been shaken, call 911 and take your baby to the emergency room right away.

  • Scan the QR code to watch a short video on Shaken Baby Syndrome

Swaddling

  • We recommend having your baby sleep in one-piece sleepers (with zippers or Velcro).

  • Make sure there is no loose bedding or blankets in their sleep space.

  • Experts recommend that you stop swaddling when your baby starts to roll. This usually happens by 3-4 months, and is when the startle reflex is disappearing. 

Smoking

  • Do not expose the baby to smoke.

  • Second and third hand (on clothing) smoke is linked to such problems as cancer, asthma, and respiratory infections. It can irritate your baby’s eyes, nose and throat. It is especially harmful for babies and young children whose lungs are still developing.

  • Exposure to smoke also increases the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

  • Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke in your home.

  • You do not have to stop breastfeeding if you and/or someone in your household continue to smoke.

Herpes Simplex Virus in the Newborn

What is herpes simplex virus?

  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a virus that usually causes skin infections. There are 2 types of HSV:

    • HSV type 1 usually causes small blisters on the mouth, eye or lips (cold sores)

    • HSV type 2 usually affects the genital area.

  • HSV infection in newborn babies can be very severe and can even cause death. This is because newborns' immune systems are not fully developed.

How is it spread?

  • Newborns can get HSV-1 from close contact with someone who is spreading HSV-1 virus in their saliva or has an active HSV-1 outbreak (cold sores).

  • The virus can be spread in saliva, even if the person does not have symptoms like sores in their mouth or on their lips.

What are the symptoms of HSV infection?

  • Infected newborns may have mild symptoms at first, such as a fever (100.4° F / 38°C), poor feeding, or one or more small skin blisters. This can happen 2 to 12 days after HSV exposure.

  • Newborns can quickly become very sick with high fever and seizures, and may become lethargic (floppy).

  • If you notice any of these symptoms, let your provider know right away. 

Jaundice (Elevated Bilirubin Level)

  • Many newborn babies can develop a yellow tint to their skin and the whites of their eyes. This is called jaundice.

  • While you are pregnant, your liver gets rid of a substance called bilirubin to help your baby. Once your baby is born, their liver must take over this job. However, many newborns do not get rid of bilirubin as fast as it is made, and it can build up. This build up cause the skin to yellow (jaundice).

  • In healthy babies, jaundice typically starts to appear on day 2 and peaks on day 3 to 4 days of age.  If the amount of bilirubin is too high, the baby may need a treatment called phototherapy. Your baby’s healthcare team would prescribe this if needed.

  • If you notice yellow coloring to your baby’s skin or the whites of their eyes after discharge, contact your baby’s healthcare provider.

We recommend the following to keep your baby from getting sick in general:

  • Everyone should wash their hands before touching your baby.

  • Avoid kissing your baby on their face (lips, eyes, nose) or hands especially if you have a history of HSV. 

  • Discourage others from kissing your baby’s face (lips, eyes, nose) or hands.

  • Contact your pediatric care provider right away if your baby has a fever (100.4° F (38°C) or higher), poor feeding, is irritable, or there any other behavior change that worries you.

All newborns should be seen by their pediatric healthcare provider within 1-3 days after discharge

When to get Medical Attention

CALL 911 if your baby has:

  • Blue or pale colored skin

  • Blue lip color and/or you cannot wake the baby

Call your baby’s healthcare provider if any of these signs or symptoms arise:

  • Yellowish skin tone or yellow color in the whites of their eyes

  • Patches of white in the baby’s mouth (inside lips and cheeks)

  • Poor feeding or refusing to eat

  • No stool for 48 hours and/or less than 6 wet diapers a day (after 6 days of  life)

  • Redness surrounding the belly button, or a foul odor from the umbilical cord

  • Temperature/fever of 100.4° F (38°C) or higher

  • Cough or running nose

  • Trouble breathing (babies often sound like they have a stuffy nose or nasal congestion, but they should appear comfortable)

  • Repeated vomiting, projectile vomiting, or several refused feedings in a row (this is different than spitting up, which is normal and common)

  • Less time being awake (lethargy)

  • Increased irritability and/or crying more than usual where they cannot be comforted (inconsolable)

  • Any other behavior change that worries you

After Leaving the Hospital

Pediatric Follow-Up

  • Make an appointment with your baby's pediatric healthcare provider 1-3 days after discharge. (Unless the in-hospital pediatrician instructs you otherwise.) 

Your Baby’s Pediatrician

If you need to update or change your baby’s home pediatrician within the 1st month, please call the Newborn Screening Coordinator

Birth Registry:

If you need to update the Birth Certificate or have questions about expediting the Birth Certificate form, please contact the Birth Registrar

 

 

 

©2025 NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.