Your First Week Home With Baby: 13 Things No One Prepares You For

There’s nothing quite like your first week home with a new baby. If you’re a first-time parent, you’re likely going to be a bit scared but also very excited. While you’ll likely understand that there will be plenty of sleepless nights and a lot of changed diapers, there are several things that you may not expect.

From the emotional challenges of feeding your child to the everyday tasks that can easily make you feel overwhelmed, there’s a lot to consider. We’ll cover all of that and more in this helpful guide. Without further ado, here is a list of potential experiences that no one prepares you for during your first week home from the hospital.

Intense Emotional Swings

You’re going to be very emotional the first week. Possibly more emotional than you ever could have expected. Over the course of a day, you may feel yourself going from happy to sad to fearful without even realizing what’s happening. 

There are many potential reasons for this emotional roller coaster. One of them is that during pregnancy, your estrogen levels are at their highest. Within 24-48 hours after delivery, the levels plummet. That drop affects the chemicals in your brain that affect your mood. Newborns also wake up every 2-4 hours, which means you’ll also be waking up. That exhaustion will also affect your mood. Finally, the physical recovery you’ll need to deal with, including healing from the stitches and any possible surgery, will cause discomfort, which could affect your mental health.

You Might Not Bond Right Away

Most parents are filled with joy when they see their baby for the first time, but the feeling of adulation may not stay at that peak level during the first week home. In fact, you may feel the opposite. Many parents come home feeling numb, overwhelmed, or unsure about what happens next.

It’s likely because you have been through something very difficult, and it can take some time to get back to normal. You may not be as enamored with your baby as you thought you’d be, but that will change. Your bond will inevitably grow over time. Don’t worry. There isn’t anything wrong with you, and it doesn’t mean that you’ll be a bad parent.

You’re REALLY Not Going to Sleep Much

Personally, I’ve learned that there are two types of babies in the world. Those who sleep by themselves without any effort, and babies who never sleep. I have had one of both, and if your child is anything like my daughter, then you'd better get used to the idea of no sleep.

If you have a baby who’s a light sleeper, you can expect to only sleep a few hours each night. That doesn’t mean your baby is unhealthy. Some of them just cry a lot. This is in addition to the fact that newborns typically want to eat every 2-3 hours, so you’ll need to wake up for that too. It may seem overwhelming now, but you may miss these early days when your baby is all grown up.

Feeding Can Be Challenging

You may expect that, since people need food to live, feeding your child will be the easiest step of all, but that’s not always the case. Your baby will be fussy at first as they learn to do everything for the first time. Feeding can be especially stressful for mothers who decide to breastfeed. You may struggle with latching, soreness, or other issues that could lead to frustration. The key here is to be patient. You and your baby will get used to it, and it will get better. Don't be afraid to get help or support for you and your baby if you're struggling with feeding. For breastfeeding moms, the help of a lactation consultant can do wonders.

You May Question If You’re Doing Things Right

During your first week home, you may legitimately worry that you don’t have what it takes to be a parent. Perhaps your baby isn’t sleeping as much as you thought they would, or you’re unable to soothe your baby as the experts recommend. Don’t worry, it’s not true that you don't have what it takes. You may be putting too much stock into what the baby books say. Remember that every child is different, and you just need to do the best you can. 

Everyday Tasks Will Feel Overwhelming

Even if your baby sleeps like an angel every night, you’re still going to be exhausted during the first week home. There are so many new experiences and so much stress that you may find it hard to function. You may be so exhausted that cooking, cleaning, showering, and even answering messages may feel like a chore. Don’t worry, this fog will pass. You're better off knowing what to expect.

Your House Will Be Messy

If you pride yourself on the cleanliness of your home, you may have to adjust your thinking during your first week home with your new baby. Needless to say, you are going to be preoccupied a lot of the time with your new bundle of joy. While you should find time to clean periodically, if your home isn’t pristine during this time, it’s okay. Anyone would forgive you if the carpets aren't fully vacuumed or there is a small pile of dishes in the sink. Your baby is the priority, and everyone will understand that.

Your Relationship Will Feel Different

Although there’s still going to be love in your relationship with your partner, things may feel a bit different during the first week. First of all, you’re both going to be exceptionally tired, so you won’t be your usual selves. With so much going on, there’s also likely to be many misunderstandings during the first days at home. You both may find that you cope with this new chapter of your life in different ways. If you’re feeling different, the key is to do your best. As time goes on, you’ll get used to the routine, and you’ll be yourselves in no time.

You May Feel Pressure to Enjoy Every Moment

In the weeks leading up to the birth and during the time afterwards, you’re going to have a lot of people telling you to soak up and enjoy every moment. But by the time you change your 50th diaper and have that third sleepless night, you’re bound to be a bit irritated, and that’s normal. Just because you’re not smiling when you change that diaper, it doesn’t mean that you’re not completely in love with your new baby. The key is not to be too hard on yourself. The smiles will come.

You’ll Need More Support Than You Expected

You may have purchased more than enough diapers and read all of the baby books, but you should expect that it may not be enough. You’re going to need more support. If a friend or family member offers assistance, take them up on it. Support can include having someone prepare a meal, help with household cleaning, or even holding the baby for 15 minutes while you rest. Many parents underestimate just how much effort is required when you give birth to a human, and don’t be embarrassed if you did. Get help now, and you’ll be able to take care of the rest later.

You’ll Get A Lot of Advice

You’re going to have so many people giving you advice during your first week home that it might drive you a little crazy. You may even find that one piece of advice contradicts what someone else said. Everyone will have an opinion on how to put your baby to sleep, how your child should be swaddled, what they should eat, and more. Just remember that every child is different, so not all advice will apply to your baby. During the first week, go with your instincts when it comes to caring for your baby, and you’ll usually be right.

The First Week Won’t Be Perfect

It’s vital that you go into your first week home with the baby with the realization that things won’t go perfectly. You may typically have high standards and want everything to work a certain way, but that may not be the way it goes, and you need to be okay with that. Cut yourself some slack during this first week. Trust your gut, change diapers when necessary, do your best with feeding, and do whatever else you feel is necessary. After this week, you’ll get used to how things go, and you'll be able to create a routine that suits you.

You’ll Need to Drink A Lot of Water

If you experience fatigue and mood swings, as discussed earlier, then you’ll need to make sure that you drink enough water. Drink some even when you don’t think you’re thirsty. Aim for 64 ounces of water per day. Failing to drink enough will make your fatigue worse, and you may experience headaches and other painful symptoms. Keep a bottle of water near you at all times as a reminder to take a sip.   

Just Do Your Best

In the end, all you can do during the first week, month, and year with a new baby is to do your best. Shower your child with love, and your baby will reciprocate. Take things one step at a time, expect the unexpected, and you’ll make it to the other side as the best parent you can be.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©O_Lypa/Shutterstock.com