It’s finally time to go home with your baby! A long-awaited step as you begin a new life in your family nest, away from the maternity ward. Everything feels more real, and emotions can race: excitement, joy, apprehension… During the first days at home, everyone will need to find their place, understand their role, and settle into a new rhythm. For you, now that you’re a mother, it’s a wonderful challenge—along with the desire to do your best and a mind full of questions. To support you in this new beginning with your little explorer, we’ve created a guide full of practical advice: sleep, breastfeeding, bottles, household organization—basically everything you need to know to care for your baby, manage fatigue more easily, and enjoy these first months together with fewer worries.

The first days at home with the newborn: the practical guide

CARRY ON FOR THE RETURN HOME

Don’t hesitate to plan ahead as much as possible during the last weeks of pregnancy so you can welcome your baby in the best way. If you have time, make arrangements with your partner for cleaning, laundry, and ironing. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to ask a loved one for a hand. During the first days at home, you’ll need to recover and devote yourself 100% to your little one (this period is called the puerperium; we’ll explore it together in an upcoming article!).

FILL THE FRIDGE WITH HEALTHY PRODUCTS

Before giving birth, stock your refrigerator with ready-made or frozen meals to help you maintain a healthy diet. Starting out with a baby is hectic, and it’s normal for mothers to forget their own needs and eat between feedings. However, your body needs to rebuild its energy after drawing on its resources during pregnancy and childbirth. A varied, balanced diet is essential to help you get back in shape—especially if you’ve chosen to breastfeed, since you’ll need all the nutrients you and your baby require. Of course, an occasional pizza won’t hurt.

PREPARES HIS NEST

From the first night and until around 6 months of age, you can have your newborn sleep in your room. Many mothers appreciate this closeness, which can feel reassuring and practical, especially when breastfeeding. In this case, it’s advisable for your baby to sleep in a separate bed, not in the parents’ bed. You can also set up a crib in their room, equipped with a baby monitor so you can hear them when they wake up (discover our article: " "). There isn’t one option that’s better than another; the choice depends entirely on you. Follow your instincts and do what you believe is best for the whole family. For safety, do not place a blanket, pillow, or quilt in your baby’s bed. Also, always lay them on their back. As for temperature, the ideal is a room between 16 and 20 °C.

RESPECTS HIS SLEEP CYCLE

During the first days at home, babies sleep a lot—on average 16 to 20 hours a day—split into naps lasting 2 to 4 hours. For your baby’s healthy development, it’s important to respect their rhythm. Don’t wake them, not even for feeding, as they’ll let you know when it’s time. Their sleep is interrupted by restless phases. Don’t worry—this is normal; they are still sleeping.

THE CHILD IS ACCUSTOMED TO HIS NEW RHYTHM

In the days following birth, your baby is still in the rhythm they had in the womb. They don’t distinguish between day and night until around the eighth week of life, when their biological clock begins to emerge. To help them adjust gently, leave the shutters open during the day and close them at night. During the day, live normally without needing to keep quiet. When breastfeeding, speak softly and avoid raising your voice so your baby understands this is a time for calm.

WASH IT FOLLOWING SOME RULES

If the bath may disturb your newborn at first, it will soon become one of their favorite moments—full of bonding with mom or dad. Newborns don’t need a bath every day; two or three times a week is enough. Outside of bath time, hygiene should be done daily. You’ll need to clean their eyes, umbilical area, nose, behind the ears, and hands. For this, use skincare products suitable for children’s sensitive skin.

CHANGE THE DIAPER REGULARLY

During the first months at home, your baby will go through many diapers! You’ll need to change them 6 to 10 times a day to reduce the risk of redness and irritation on their little bottom. To keep it dry, change the diaper as soon as it’s soiled and at every meal (before or after, depending on what’s most convenient for you). Clean from front to back, changing the wipe with each pass to avoid soiling the genital area. You can clean your baby’s bottom simply with warm water, oleo-calcareous ointment, or suitable wipes. Then dry the skin by patting, without rubbing. Remember to dry the skin folds thoroughly to prevent maceration. Finally, choose diapers without irritating substances, such as those offered by LILLYDOO.

TAKE A WALK WITH YOUR CHILD

When you return home, you can go out with your baby from the very first days. However, listen to your body and see whether you feel strong enough. If you do, a short outing can do a lot of good for you and your little adventurer. At first, babies get tired very quickly, so opt for short walks of 15 to 20 minutes. The best time to go out is after a meal. Avoid noisy places that could disturb them, including supermarkets and public transportation, which are also discouraged for the first few weeks. Besides being chaotic, these places expose your baby to viruses and bacteria. Avoid going out during the hottest hours of summer, and dress them warmly in winter.

AS SOON AS THE BABY IS HUNGRY, PRACTICE FEEDING (BREAST OR BOTTLE)

Your baby’s favorite pastime, along with napping! Babies need to eat frequently (every 2–4 hours), which is normal since their stomach is about the size of an apricot during the first week. It’s recommended to breastfeed or bottle-feed on demand—that is, as soon as your baby shows the first signs of hunger. Your baby may signal they need to eat by putting their hands in their mouth, sucking, sticking out their tongue, or becoming restless while stretching their arms and legs. To help them burp, hold them upright against you with their head on your shoulder, and gently pat their back.

Choose the right positions for breastfeeding

Get comfortable in a place where you feel at ease and relaxed. There are many breastfeeding positions; the best ones are those that work best for you. That said, it’s important to alternate positions to stimulate all areas of your breast and help prevent mastitis (a painful inflammatory process of the mammary gland). Since every experience is different, breastfeeding may not work immediately. Don’t worry—sometimes it takes a little time, and then it can become a moment of deep connection with your baby.

GIVE THE BOTTLE THE RIGHT WAY

Your little eater will drink 6 to 8 bottles a day. Don’t hesitate to stock up on powdered milk before birth so you’re prepared. Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing it. You can give it at room temperature or warm it to a maximum of 37°C. In that case, check that the milk isn’t too hot by placing a few drops on your wrist. Never use a microwave to heat it, as the bottle may feel lukewarm on the outside but be hot on the inside. If your baby doesn’t finish the bottle, discard the remaining milk.

REST WHENEVER YOU CAN

DON'T HESITATE TO ASK FOR HELP

Delegate as much as possible so you can focus fully on yourself and your baby. Your partner and those around you can be a valuable help, so don’t hesitate to ask. After childbirth, your mood may feel like a roller coaster for a few days. This fairly normal phenomenon is due to a drop in hormones. It’s the famous baby blues that many mothers experience. Don’t feel guilty—share your feelings with loved ones or a support group for new parents to help you get through this moment.

TEAM UP WITH THE PARTNER

With the birth of your little one, your partner might have difficulty finding their place at first. Encourage them to hold the baby in their arms as often as possible so they can get to know each other. Skin-to-skin contact will help them create a special bond because it stimulates the secretion of oxytocin, the attachment hormone.

Also plan moments for just the two of you to restore the intimacy of your relationship, which has recently been shaken. It can be a dinner for two, where you share your thoughts and express your fears and joys. Low libido is common after pregnancy, as fatigue sets in and the perineum and vagina need time to heal; sex may not happen right away. You can replace it with massages and sensual moments to enjoy simple, close moments of complicity.

TAKE TIME, DON'T FEEL GUILTY

If you feel confused or afraid that you’re not doing enough, that’s completely normal. Give yourself time to learn how to be a mom—you’re doing your best. In the first few months, it takes time to get to know each other: for example, a baby’s cry can feel mysterious at first, but gradually you’ll learn to understand and tell them apart. Your baby may also cry simply because they need reassurance. Away from the cozy calm of the womb, they need to feel your presence. Cuddle them as much as possible, and let your partner do skin-to-skin contact to enjoy a special moment with your little one. Caring for a baby isn’t innate; you’ll learn little by little through being with them.