A: If a baby is healthy and has no health/emotional issues, usually the first few days up to the first few weeks of a baby's life are fairly quiet. Newborns can sleep up to 20 hours a day! Crying is the only way to communicate so this is normal. Some babies will want to eat every hour and others will be content with every 4 hours, especially if they are formula fed. Even yet, some will be so sleepy that they will not wake hungry. In this case, parents need to know to wake the baby every 2.5-3 hours during the day to feed.
Doctors now recommend that umbilical cords do not need special care and will fall off on their own as long as you keep them clean and dry. Babies will need up to 10-12 diaper changes a day with 5-7 wet diapers and 3-5 stools. Over time, there are less stools in a day but it is normal and desirable to have at least one a day...although some can go for weeks without and this can still be considered within the realm of normal!
As you can see, there is such variation in what is considered "normal" so it is important to consult your pediatrician at every area of concern along the way as only she can evaluate if any steps need to be taken.
Above all, babies are a gift and a huge blessing. Even with the sleep deprivation and normal stresses that come with having a newborn in the house, it is meant to be a time to enjoy to the fullest. You hear so many people say "Oh, they grow up too fast..." or "Enjoy them while they are young!" There is a reason people feel this and want to communicate it to those with newborns. We need to listen to those who have been there before us.
Sometimes we lose perspective in moments of tiredness and things seem to be a blur, but take a quiet moment each day to just gaze at your little wonder and soak it all in...it really does go too fast and it's a shame to miss any part of it as even in the hardest moments it is a part of joy in the journey.
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