“So... Is This Normal?” Your Top Newborn Questions, Answered
No one sends you home with all the answers, and trust me, you're going to have questions. As a labor and delivery nurse and mom of four, I'm answering the newborn questions I hear most often so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your little one.
This read pairs perfectly with our Newborn Care 101 course, where we dive deeper into newborn care and your baby's first weeks at home.
Welcome to parenthood—where you'll probably have a hundred questions before breakfast.
Bringing your baby home is exciting... and if we're being honest, it's also a little overwhelming. One minute you're soaking up newborn snuggles, and the next you're wondering if that umbilical cord looks okay, whether your baby's crying is normal, or if you'll ever get a full night's sleep again.
Trust me, I get it.
As a labor and delivery nurse and mom of four, I've had these conversations with countless new parents before they leave the hospital. So let's go through some of the questions I hear most often, along with the evidence-based answers I wish every family knew from day one.
1. When Will My Baby's Umbilical Cord Fall Off?
This is one of those things that looks a little strange at first, but I promise, it's completely normal.
Most babies' umbilical cord stumps dry up and fall off on their own within three weeks after birth.
I know it's tempting to want to do something to help it along, but honestly? Less is more.
Keep it clean, keep it dry, and let it do its thing. You don't need rubbing alcohol, ointments, balms, or any special products.
Until the cord falls off, I recommend sticking with sponge baths instead of putting your baby in the tub. If it accidentally gets wet, just dry it gently with a clean cotton swab.
One little trick I always share with parents is to fold the front of your baby's diaper down so it sits below the cord. It keeps the area dry and helps prevent irritation.
Call your baby's healthcare provider if you notice:
Yellow or green drainage with a foul smell
Redness spreading around the base of the cord
Your baby cries when you gently touch the skin around it
Those can be signs of an infection and should be checked out.
2. My Baby Won't Stop Crying. What Do I Do?
First, I want you to know something.
A crying baby does not mean you're doing anything wrong.
Crying is your baby's only way of communicating, and sometimes figuring out what they're trying to tell you can feel like solving a tiny mystery.
Start with the basics.
Are they hungry?
Do they need a diaper change?
Are they too hot or too cold?
Have they been awake a little too long?
Sometimes babies become overstimulated and simply need a little help winding down.
When that happens, I love using the 5 S's:
Swaddle
Side or stomach position for soothing (always place your baby on their back to sleep)
Suck
Sway
Shush
White noise, gentle rocking, skin-to-skin cuddles, babywearing, or even a short car ride can also work wonders.
Every baby is different. What calms one little one may not work for another, and that's okay. You're learning your baby, and they're learning this brand-new world together.
3. How Long Should I Breastfeed?
This is probably one of the most personal questions I get.
The truth is, every family's feeding journey looks different.
Some parents absolutely love breastfeeding.
Some struggle with it.
Some experience D-MER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex), where every milk letdown triggers uncomfortable emotions or physical feelings.
There are so many things that can influence your feeding journey, and none of them make you a "better" or "worse" parent.
What I can do is share the current recommendations so you can make the decision that feels right for you.
Breast milk is an incredible source of nutrition. It contains antibodies that help protect babies from many common childhood illnesses, and one of the coolest things about it is that it's constantly changing to meet your baby's needs as they grow.
Here's what the current recommendations say:
Exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, whenever possible.
Around six months, introduce complementary foods as your baby's nutritional needs grow.
Continue breastfeeding for up to two years or longer if it's working well for both you and your baby.
I'm in Canada, and many of you are in the U.S., so I also know that parental leave can look very different depending on where you live.
Whether you're returning to work, exclusively pumping, combination feeding, or breastfeeding beyond your baby's first birthday, your family's circumstances matter.
My job isn't to tell you what choice to make.
My job is to help you make an informed one.
4. When Will My Baby Sleep Through the Night?
Ah... the million-dollar question.
I wish I could tell you there was a magic age, but every baby is different.
Here's something many parents don't realize:
"Sleeping through the night" doesn't necessarily mean sleeping until morning. Sometimes it simply means sleeping for five or six hours at a time.
If your baby hasn't regained their birth weight, isn't feeding well, isn't gaining weight appropriately, or your healthcare provider has recommended overnight feeds, then sleeping through the night shouldn't be the goal just yet.
And here's something I always remind parents...
Even adults wake up overnight.
The goal isn't to have a baby who never wakes. The goal is to gradually help your little one learn how to settle themselves back to sleep as they grow and develop.
Keeping a consistent bedtime routine and making daytime full of light, play, and interaction can help babies begin to understand the difference between day and night.
Before dropping overnight feeds, always check with your baby's healthcare provider to make sure it's safe to do so.
5. How Often Should I Bathe My Baby?
Here's the good news...
You don't have to bathe your baby every day.
Until the umbilical cord falls off, stick with sponge baths.
Once it's healed, The AAP recommends bathing your baby about two to three times a week with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser is usually plenty.
Don't be surprised if your newborn protests those first few baths. Lots of babies do!
One of my favourite tricks is placing a muslin swaddle blanket or washcloth over your baby's torso while they're in the bath. Keep pouring warm water over it, and it helps many babies stay cozy and calm.
After bath time, gently pat your baby dry, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer if needed, and soak up those post-bath snuggles. Better yet? Spend a little time skin-to-skin. It's a wonderful way to help your baby regulate their body temperature while giving you both a chance to slow down together.
Sponge Bath Safety Tips
Gather everything you'll need before you start.
Wash your baby's face first with plain water.
Save the diaper area for last.
Keep your baby wrapped in a warm towel, uncovering only the area you're washing.
If your baby is on an elevated surface, always keep one hand on them.
Little things like this can make bath time feel much calmer for both of you.
You've Got This
If there's one thing I hope you take away from this read it's this:
You are not expected to have all the answers.
Every baby is different, and every new parent has moments where they wonder, "Is this normal?" Trust me, that's part of the journey.
My hope is that these answers help you feel a little more confident as you settle into life with your little one. And remember, it's always okay to ask questions. That's how we learn.
I'll be back with another read answering even more of the newborn questions parents ask me all the time. Until then, soak up the baby snuggles, give yourself lots of grace, and remember—you don't have to be a perfect parent. You just have to keep showing up for your baby.
You've got this, mama.
