You’ve had your baby, and now you’re at home without an instruction manual for this newest member of the family! If you’re wondering what’s supposed to happen now, don’t panic — here’s our guide on how to survive the first 6 weeks with a new baby.
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Life With a New Baby
Life with a new baby is a whirlwind of nappy changes, feeding, sleeping, and those utterly amazing newborn cuddles. Read on for our tips on getting through the first six weeks.
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Don’t Pack Away Your Maternity Clothes
As much as you can’t wait to get rid of your maternity clothes, you may still need them after giving birth. Look at it this way: it took about 40 weeks to grow a baby, so don’t expect to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes overnight. It will take time, but you will get there. And if you happen to fit into your old clothes straight after birth… we can’t be friends!
Stock Up on Easy Meals
Even if you love to cook, you’ll likely be in no mood for it in the early weeks — and you won’t have the time either. Stock the freezer with meals made in advance, keep a few takeaway numbers handy, or lean on a meal-delivery service if that works for your budget. Anything that takes cooking off your plate for a while is worth it.
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Set Up Automatic Bill Pay
No matter how organised you are, setting up automatic bill payments means one less thing to think about. That way you can focus on your new baby and avoid late fees creeping up on you while your head is elsewhere.
Line Up Something to Watch
Before the baby, you barely watched television, right? Get ready to watch more than you ever have. Streaming services, on-demand boxsets and being able to pause and rewind will come in very handy during long feeds and even longer nights. Don’t be surprised if you end up humming a Disney+ theme tune in the shower — whenever you finally get one.
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Set One “Big” Goal Every Day
This helps you feel productive on the days you’re home in your pyjamas with no makeup on and your hair scraped up. Even something as simple as a walk around the block can feel like a huge win. Things you once did without thinking suddenly take real effort with a newborn to factor in. Try telling yourself: “No matter what, today I am going to…” — a shower, the dishes, a short walk. One “big” thing a day is plenty.
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Learn How to Use a Breast Pump Before Baby Arrives
You may be planning to exclusively breastfeed, but plans don’t always go the way you expect. It’s worth learning how to use a breast pump before your little one arrives, so it’s one less thing to figure out under pressure.
Your milk supply can be slow to come in at first, and pumping can help encourage it. Some parents also like to have a bottle or two ready in case they want to share feeds with a partner or family member.
Set Up a Meal Train with Family & Friends
Ask a friend or relative to organise a meal train for you. It takes away the daily stress of “what’s for dinner?”, and it also gives friends and family a lovely excuse to drop by, bring food, and meet the new baby.
Order Online
The first few weeks can make it hard to get out and about, and thankfully you can order almost anything online these days. Whether it’s your grocery shop or baby supplies, ordering online will save you a trip — and a headache.
Have the Changing Station Stocked
You won’t know exactly how big your baby will be until they arrive, so it’s worth having your changing station stocked with both newborn and next-size-up nappies. The same goes for clothing — plenty of newborns move into 0–3 month sizes faster than expected.
Keep a Nappy Diary
Yes, your days really will involve counting how many times a day your little one “goes”. Make life easier with a tracking app, or go old school with a notebook.
You’ll be convinced you’ll remember it all — you won’t. Your public health nurse or GP may ask how many wet and dirty nappies your baby has each day, and it helps to know what’s considered normal in terms of colour and consistency, so it’s worth doing a little reading in advance.
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Something to Hold You In
Whether it’s an abdominal binder, a supportive corset, or just a snug tank top, many new mums like having something to hold them in for a while. Your belly may feel soft and unfamiliar for a bit, and that’s completely normal — but if it helps you feel more comfortable, there’s no harm in it.
Ask for Help — and Take It
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It doesn’t make you any less capable if you lean on a friend or family member. If someone offers to bring food, collect your post, do a load of laundry or hoover the floors — let them. You’ll be glad you did.
Don’t Feel Guilty
Let go of the guilt now. The dishes are piling up, the laundry’s stacked to the ceiling, you haven’t cooked a proper meal in three weeks — so what? You just had a baby.
That is physically and emotionally demanding on your whole body. From the moment you gave birth, you’re caring for a brand-new life while also making sense of everything that’s just happened — and healing, both physically and mentally, at the same time. It takes time. Bodies are remarkably resilient, but they need space to recover.
Take all the time you need. Let yourself off the hook.
Listen to Your Body
Some new mums are ready to get out and about within the week. Others take several weeks, and some don’t feel ready for months. Some mums are cooking again the next day; others don’t cook for a good while!
There’s no single right pace, so don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Listen to your own body, go at your own speed, and never feel you owe anyone an explanation for the choices you make.
Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
No. Just no. It’s a short word and it’s worth practising.
Nod Your Head and Smile
Everyone will have an opinion, and most people will be happy to share it — whether you asked or not. Remember, this is your baby. Do what feels right for you and your baby, not what works for anyone else.
If unsolicited advice comes from someone who doesn’t have children, feel free to take it with a large pinch of salt. And if a well-meaning relative questions your choices around co-sleeping or where the baby sleeps, remember — it’s nobody’s business but your own.
So what do you do with unwanted advice? Nod, smile, and keep going. Silently disagreeing in your head is entirely optional, and highly recommended.
Love Your Baby
…and everything else will fall into place.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to adjust to life with a new baby?
Every family is different, but most parents say the first six weeks are the hardest, as you’re all learning each other’s rhythms. Things typically start to feel more manageable once feeding and sleep patterns settle a little, though “settled” still looks different for every baby.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed in the early weeks?
Yes, completely. Sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and looking after a newborn’s every need all at once is a lot for anyone. Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong — it means you’re doing something genuinely hard.
How can I get more rest with a new baby in the house?
Sleep when you can rather than sticking to old routines, share night feeds where possible, and accept offers of help so you can nap during the day. It won’t feel like enough sleep, but any extra rest helps.
When should I ask for help?
As early as possible. Whether it’s a partner, grandparent, friend, or neighbour, accepting practical help with meals, chores, or simply holding the baby while you shower can make a real difference to how you cope.
Do I need to have a strict routine straight away?
No. Newborns rarely follow a predictable schedule in the first few weeks. It’s fine to follow your baby’s lead and let a loose routine develop naturally over time.
Related Articles
If this was useful, you might also like:
- What Do You Need for a New Baby? The Ultimate Baby Checklist
- 7 Useful Smartphone Apps for Pregnancy and New Mums
- Most Popular Baby Names
- 10 Things Not to Do When Choosing a Baby Name
Save This for Later
Life with a newborn moves fast, so if this guide was helpful, bookmark it or share it with a friend who’s expecting — future-you (running on three hours’ sleep) will thank you. Browse more of our new parent guides on the site whenever you need a little reassurance.
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