Bringing your newborn home is one of the most wonderful - and overwhelming - moments of parenthood. The good news is that babies are remarkably resilient, and you will quickly learn to read your baby's cues.
In the first few weeks, your newborn's entire world revolves around three things: feeding, sleeping and being held. A newborn baby needs to feed every 2–3 hours - whether breast or bottle fed - and this round-the-clock schedule is completely normal.
Safe sleep is one of the most important things you can learn. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, in their own sleep space (never in an adult bed), and ensure the mattress is firm and flat. Keep the room at 16–20°C and avoid loose bedding, bumpers or soft toys.
Nappy changes will become second nature surprisingly quickly. Newborns can have up to 10 wet nappies and 3–4 dirty nappies per day. Keep the nappy area clean and dry, applying nappy cream if you notice any redness.
Cord care: the umbilical cord stump will dry up and fall off within 1–3 weeks. Keep it clean and dry - fold nappies down to keep it exposed to air. Never pull it off.