Are you ready to get your newborn’s schedule up and running? If so, this article is for you! As an Akron OH newborn photographer, I’ll walk you through the first week of your newborn’s life, and all the important things you’ll need to know while setting up a newborn schedule for week 1.
Believe me, I know newborns are adorable during their first week. However, they do need some extra care and getting them into a simple routine can be beneficial! That being said, don’t forget to schedule a newborn photography session with me during this first week to capture that cuteness on camera!
How do You Manage a Newborn’s First Week?
Managing your newborn schedule for week 1 is essential for their development, safety, and well-being. It’s also one of the most challenging tasks you’ll undertake as a new parent. I know, I did it four times! As much as I’d like to tell you that it’s easy, it’s not. It’s never consistent and your newborn will do what they want, when they want. However, there are some things you can do to help manage their schedule and get them into a routine.
Here are some of my favorite tips for setting up your newborn’s schedule in the first week:
1. Make sure they get enough sleep by using the tips below!
2. Give them a gentle, warm, bath before bedtime.
3. Pay attention to their cries. During the first week, they likely have not yet developed specific cries to represent specific needs. However, paying attention to the time of day they’re being fussy can help you determine what they may need.
4. Allow them to eat when they’re hungry. Newborns eat frequently as their bodies are going through significant changes behind the scenes during their first week! If they ate 2 hours ago and are showing signs of hunger, give them another couple of ounces. They will stop eating when they’re full. Newborns are very intuitive!
*Tip* Make sure you know all of the best babyproofing tips to ensure no harm comes to your little one during their first week!
How Do I Set Up a Newborn Sleep Schedule for Week 1?
Newborns require a lot of sleep. During the first week of life, they typically average 15 hours of sleep per day. However, not all newborns are created equal and sometimes, they have a hard time sleeping! Here are some tips to get your newborn into a solid sleep schedule:
-Do not wake the baby when they are sleeping (or at least try not to!). Your newborn will tell you when they need rest. Your job is to listen to the way they currently communicate that to you.
-Feed them before major sleep times. If they’re showing signs that they’re getting tired, but they’re struggling to go down, they may also be hungry! Give them a bottle or breastfeed them until they let you know they’re full. Newborns are more likely to sleep on a full tummy!
-Play with them when they’re awake. Just like adults, newborns get tired when they’re energy levels run low. The difference is that their energy levels go down quicker than ours. However, they do need external stimulation as well to aid in tiring them out. If you play with them between sleep times, they’re more likely to get into a sleep schedule for you.
Here’s What Your Newborn Schedule for Week 1 May Look Like:
1. Wake up around 6:00 a.m. (or whenever newborn rises) and feed them, then burp, change the diaper, and get your newborn dressed in a super cute outfit!
2. Take the baby for a walk in the stroller for about 20 minutes (with permission of your pediatrician as some prefer to keep newborns indoors for the first couple of weeks). If you need to stay inside, interact with your little one. Play peek-a-boo with your newborn or talk to them while you prepare for your own day!
3. Feed the baby again, then burp, change the diaper, and put them down for a nap.
4. When they wake up, take the baby for another walk in the stroller for about 15 minutes or interact with them.
5. Feed the baby again, then burp and change a diaper again if needed. You can then base what they need on their behavior. They may need a nap or they may just want to lay down and rest but still remain awake!
Rinse and repeat mamas, rinse and repeat! The first week is honestly a lot of wake up, feed, play, nap, repeat. They may not adapt to your schedule, but they will 100% tell you what they need and when. They may even just fall asleep without warning! That’s okay. Do your best to establish a schedule, but be prepared that they may not want to stick to it!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve found this guide to the newborn schedule for week 1 helpful in making sure that your newborn is as comfortable as possible when they arrive. Don’t forget to book your newborn’s photo shoot with me as your Akron OH newborn photographer during that first week or so! I can’t wait to meet you and your little one and hear all about how their first week is going!
