Accessible Resource Library

Preparing for the First Days Home

A calmer start for your new chapter.

A little preparation now can make a big difference later. Use this guide to set up your home, gather essentials, and create a supportive environment so you can rest, recover, and focus on your baby.

Where Baby Will Sleep

• Bassinet or crib with a firm, empty mattress

• Fitted sheets (2–3)

• Wearable blankets (no loose blankets)

• Keep baby in your room for the first 6 months if possible

• Night light for dim, soft lighting

• A comfortable spot for you nearby (chair, water, phone charger, book)

Feeding Supplies

• Nursing pillow

• Water bottle and snacks

• Burp cloths

• Nipple care (if needed)

• Breast pads

• Formula feeding: bottles, formula, bottle brush, drying rack

• If doing both: have a small supply of each

• A comfortable place to feed (day and night)

Diapering Station

• Diapers (newborn and next size)

• Wipes

• Diaper rash cream or barrier ointment

• Changing pad or soft, washable surface

• A small basket or caddy to keep everything together

• Extra outfits and burp cloths nearby

Meals & Hydration for Mom

• Easy, nutritious meals and snacks

• Plenty of water (keep a filled bottle nearby)

• Grab-and-go options for nighttime

• Consider a meal train or grocery delivery

• Include foods rich in protein, fiber, and iron

• Don’t forget your favorite treats

Who Can Help

• Partner: decide on specific tasks

• Family or friends: meals, errands, sibling care, pet care, light housekeeping

• Postpartum doula (if desired)

• Lactation consultant (if needed)

• Other trusted support people

• Make a plan and communicate it before baby arrives

Limit Visitors

• Decide who will visit and when

• Keep early visits short

• Share your preferences in advance

• It’s okay to say no or delay visits

• Consider asking for help with meals instead of visits

• Protect your rest and recovery

Important Contact Numbers

• Pediatrician name and phone number

• After-hours pediatrician (if different)

• Your OB/midwife

• Lactation consultant (if known)

• Postpartum doula (if applicable)

• Local urgent care or hospital

Partner Task Ideas

• Handle meals and grocery shopping

• Take care of pets and older children

• Manage household tasks (dishes, laundry, trash)

• Set up and restock feeding and diapering stations

• Answer the door and manage visitors

• Give you dedicated rest time

• Take photos and handle updates with family

• Be your advocate and remind you to take care of yourself

 

Visitor Guidelines

We’re so grateful for your love and support! These simple guidelines help us keep baby healthy and protect our rest during this special time.

• Wash your hands when you arrive.

• Reschedule if you’re not feeling well.

• No kissing the baby, anywhere.

• Keep visits short for now.

• Visits by plan only, no drop-ins.

• Meals or a helping hand are always welcome.

• Kind words and encouragement mean the world.

Thank you.

 

Bedsharing and Breastfeeding

Real life. Informed choices. A safer tomorrow.

You may not plan to fall asleep with your baby. Having a plan is a loving choice.

The first months with a baby can be exhausting. Your baby may feed often, wake when you try to put them down, or settle best when they’re close to you. Even parents who fully intend to return baby to a separate sleep space can unexpectedly fall asleep while feeding or comforting their baby. Thinking through that possibility ahead of time means you won’t be making important safety decisions for the first time when you’re exhausted. This guide can help you make a plan before you need one.

The Safest Sleep Plan

Place baby on their back in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space near you. Room-sharing (keeping baby in your room) is recommended for at least the first 6 months.

Avoid Bedsharing When

• You or anyone sharing the bed has recently used alcohol or drugs.

• You or anyone sharing the bed has taken medication that makes you sleepy.

• You or anyone sharing the bed smokes.

• Your baby was born premature or has a low birthweight.

• You are on a sofa, recliner, or chair.

If Bedsharing Happens, Reduce the Risks

• Use a firm, flat mattress.

• Place your baby on their back at breast level.

• Keep pillows, heavy blankets, and loose bedding away from your baby.

• Make sure there are no gaps or spaces where your baby could become trapped.

• Do not use a guardrail.

• No other children or pets should share the bed with you and your baby.

• Only one baby at a time (for twins or multiples).

• Never leave a baby alone on an adult bed.

If Bedsharing Happens: The Cuddle Curl

Lie on your side, facing your baby, with your body in a gentle C-shape around them. Keep your baby on their back at breast level, away from pillows and bedding.

When You Wake

Once you are awake, move your baby back to their separate sleep space, such as a bassinet or crib, to reduce risk as much as possible.

A Note About Airflow

Some research has found an association between using a fan in the room and a lower risk of SIDS. A fan is not a substitute for established safer-sleep practices.

Educational information only. Discuss your baby’s sleep needs with your pediatric healthcare provider.

 

Feeding & Newborn Care

Feeding Your Baby

Nourishing today. Bright tomorrows.

Feeding your baby is about so much more than nutrition. It’s comfort, connection, and a way to help your baby feel safe and loved. There is no single right way to feed your baby. What matters most is a fed baby and a supported parent.

Breastfeeding

• Provides ideal nutrition and antibodies to help protect your baby.

• Supports bonding and can help regulate your baby’s sleep, temperature, and stress levels.

• May lower the risk of certain illnesses, including SIDS.

• Feeding often, especially in the early weeks, helps build your milk supply.

• It’s normal for there to be a learning curve. Support is available.

Formula Feeding

• Provides complete nutrition for healthy growth and development.

• Many babies thrive on formula.

• Offers flexibility and can be shared with other caregivers.

• There are several types of formula. Your pediatrician can help you choose what’s best for your baby.

• Feeding your baby with formula is a loving and valid choice.

Combination Feeding

• Many families choose to offer both breast milk and formula.

• Can provide the benefits of breast milk while also offering flexibility.

• There is no single feeding plan; you can adjust as your needs and your baby’s needs change.

• Any amount of breast milk is beneficial.

• Combination feeding is a personal choice, and it can work beautifully.

Feeding Cues

• Stirring, stretching, or increased alertness.

• Turning head toward your chest or bottle (rooting).

• Bringing hands to mouth.

• Smacking lips or making sucking motions.

• Crying is a late sign of hunger.

Responsive feeding helps build trust and a secure attachment.

You’re Not Alone

Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or doing both, support can make your feeding journey easier. Talk with your pediatrician about any questions or concerns. Consider connecting with a lactation consultant (IBCLC) for breastfeeding support. Lean on your partner, family, or a postpartum doula for practical and emotional support.

Educational information only. Discuss your baby’s feeding needs with your pediatric healthcare provider.

 

Signs That Feeding Is Going Well

Every baby is unique. These are general guidelines.

How Often Should You Breastfeed?

Per day, on average over 24 hours: At least 8 feeds per day. Your baby is sucking strongly, slowly, steadily and swallowing often. Follow your baby’s cues.

Your Baby’s Tummy Size

• Size of a cherry (day 1)

• Size of a walnut (day 3)

• Size of an apricot (1 week)

• Size of an egg (2–3 weeks)

Wet Diapers

• At least 1 wet (day 1)

• At least 2 wet (day 2)

• At least 3 wet (day 3)

• At least 4 wet (day 4)

• At least 6 wet (day 5 and beyond). Heavy wet with pale yellow or clear urine.

Soiled Diapers

• At least 1 to 2 black or dark green stools (days 1–2)

• At least 3 brown, green, or yellow stools (days 3–4)

• At least 3 large, soft and seedy yellow stools (day 5 and beyond)

Your Baby’s Weight

• Most babies lose a bit of weight in the first 3 days after birth.

• From day 4 onward, most babies gain weight regularly.

Other Signs

• Your baby should have a strong cry.

• Move actively and wake easily.

• Your breasts feel softer and less full after breastfeeding.

Educational information only. Discuss your baby’s feeding needs with your pediatric healthcare provider.

 

Newborn Basics: What’s Normal & When to Call

Confidence today. A healthy tomorrow.

Newborns do many things that can surprise parents. This guide helps you know what is usually normal, how to care for your baby, and when to call the pediatrician. It is not a diagnosis tool.

Common Newborn Things

• Lots of sleep: Most newborns sleep much of the day. They’ll still wake regularly to feed and have periods of alertness.

• Sneezing & congestion: Sneezing, snorting and mild stuffiness can be common. Use a bulb syringe if needed.

• Spit-up: Small amounts can be common and may look like more than they are.

• Skin changes: Mild peeling, dry skin, baby acne or blotchy skin can occur and often resolve on their own.

Crying & Soothing

Crying often increases in the first few weeks, usually peaking around 2–10 weeks. It does not mean you are doing something wrong, and responding to your baby does not spoil them.

First Check

• Hungry

• Wet or soiled diaper

• Too warm or too cold

• Tired

• Overstimulated

• Needs closeness

• May need burping

Try One Calming Approach at a Time

• Hold baby close or skin-to-skin

• Gently rock or walk

• Swaddle safely (if appropriate)

• Make a steady, gentle “shh” sound

• Soft white noise (at a safe volume)

• Quietly sing or talk

• Offer a pacifier (if desired)

• Gently pat or rub baby’s back

• Reduce lights, noise, and stimulation

When You Need a Break

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, place your baby on their back in an empty safe sleep space and step away for a few minutes while you calm down or get help. Never shake a baby.

Bathing & Diaper Care

• You do not need to give a full bath until the umbilical cord falls off and the area is healed. Sponge baths are enough until then.

• Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser if desired.

• Keep the diaper area clean and dry. Change diapers often.

• Use a barrier ointment if needed for redness.

• Keep the umbilical cord clean and dry. No tub baths until it falls off and is fully healed. Fold the diaper below the cord.

• Trim nails carefully or use a soft nail file.

Trust Your Instincts

Parents do not need to decide alone whether something is serious. It is always okay to call your pediatric healthcare provider with questions.

Call Your Pediatrician

• Rectal temperature 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby younger than 3 months.

• Repeated vomiting (more than ordinary small spit-up).

• Ongoing unusual or inconsolable crying.

• Very hard to wake or lethargic.

• Poor feeding.

• Worsening or spreading jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

• Redness, swelling, foul-smelling yellow discharge, active bleeding, or pain/crying when the umbilical cord or base is touched.

• Any behavior significantly different from usual that worries you.

Call 911 or Seek Emergency Care

• Severe trouble breathing (such as persistent fast breathing, chest pulling in, nostril flaring, or grunting).

• Persistent blue or gray color.

• Unresponsiveness or not waking.

• Any life-threatening emergency.

Educational information only. Discuss your baby’s health needs with your pediatric healthcare provider.

 

Physiologic Infant Care

Supporting breastfeeding, sleep, and well-being.

Welcoming a new baby can be beautiful and challenging. These are normal newborn behaviors and helpful ways to support your baby — and yourself.

At Night: Support Rest for You and Baby

• Sleep near your baby. You and your baby will often sleep more easily when you are close. Consider using a bedside sleeper (sometimes called a sidecar). You can breastfeed while lying on your side.

• Avoid getting up at night. Sitting up and getting out of bed will disrupt your sleep. Keep supplies nearby so you can stay in bed. Skip diaper changes unless needed. Breastfed babies don’t usually require burping.

• Keep the lights low. Turning on bright lights can signal daytime. Avoid activities that require bright light or use a dim red light. Keep the environment calm and quiet.

• Breastfeed at night rather than pump or use bottles, if you can. Night-time milk contains melatonin, which may help your baby sleep. Pumping and bottle feeding can disrupt sleep for both of you.

• Avoid feeding solids or formula to improve sleep. Giving solids or formula before 6 months is not recommended and may decrease your milk production. It also does not typically lead to longer sleep for breastfed babies.

• Do not sleep train in the first 6 months. It is not recommended in the first year. A responsive approach to your baby’s cues can help everyone get more rest over time.

• Bedsharing safety is very important. Bedsharing is often unplanned. If you choose to feed your baby in bed, reduce risks as much as possible. See the separate handout on Bedsharing and Breastfeeding for details.

In the Daytime: Support Growth, Connection, and Calm

• Wear your baby. A baby wrap or carrier keeps your baby close and calm. Your hands are free to get things done. Make sure your baby is supported and their face is visible.

• Daytime activity may help your baby sleep better at night. Expose your baby to normal daytime light and noises. Include some supervised tummy time.

• Nap when your baby naps, if you can. Rest helps you feel better and makes it easier to care for your baby.

• Focus on your baby’s behavior cues. Your baby will let you know what they need. You do not need to track apps or schedules.

• Ask for help. Other caregivers can change, bathe, and dress your baby. They can also help with cooking, cleaning, and older children so you can rest and recover.

You’re doing an important job. These early days don’t last forever.

Educational information only. Discuss your baby’s feeding and sleep needs with your pediatric healthcare provider.

 

Postpartum Recovery & Wellbeing

Postpartum Recovery: What’s Normal & What Helps

Healing takes time. You’ve got this.

Your body has done something amazing. Postpartum recovery looks different for everyone, but there are some common changes in the days and weeks after birth. Here’s what you can expect — and some simple ways to support yourself.

Bleeding & Cramping

• Vaginal bleeding (lochia) can continue for up to about 6 weeks. It usually changes from red to pink, then yellow or white, and becomes lighter over time.

• Uterine cramping (afterpains) is common for several days. It can be stronger when breastfeeding and may be stronger with each birth.

• Over-the-counter pain relief, a warm heating pad, and rest can help. Contact your provider if pain is severe or not improving.

Perineal Recovery

• It’s common to have swelling, tenderness, or discomfort in the perineal area.

• Cold packs can feel good in the early days.

• Keep the area clean and dry, and change pads often.

• A peri bottle, sitz baths, and comfortable positioning can help.

• Discomfort usually improves gradually over the first few weeks.

C-Section Recovery

• Your incision and abdomen can feel tender for several weeks.

• It’s common to feel tired and sore as your body heals from abdominal surgery.

• Increase activity gradually and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.

• Support your incision (such as with a pillow) when moving, coughing, or getting up from lying down.

• Contact your provider if you notice increasing pain, redness, swelling, drainage, or if you have a fever.

Bowels & Bladder

• Constipation and hemorrhoids are common after birth.

• Drinking fluids, eating fiber-rich foods, and gentle movement can help.

• Your healthcare provider may recommend a stool softener.

• It’s also common to notice changes with your bladder, such as temporary leaking. These usually improve over time. Pelvic floor support can be helpful if needed.

Breasts & Body Changes

• Your breasts may become full, tender, or engorged in the first few days, whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a bit of both.

• This is a normal response to hormonal changes.

• Comfort measures (such as a supportive bra, cool packs, or hand expression) may help.

• Feeding support is available if you need it.

Rest & Gentle Movement

• Feeling tired is expected. Rest when you can and accept help from family, friends, or a postpartum doula.

• Gentle walking is a great way to support healing and well-being.

• Increase activity gradually, listening to your body.

• For specific activity restrictions (such as lifting, exercise, or returning to certain activities), follow your healthcare provider’s guidance.

Recovery Is Gradual

Your birth and your recovery are individual.

For symptoms that are heavy, sudden, worsening, or concerning, use your Post-Birth Warning Signs sheet and contact your healthcare provider.

Educational information only. Discuss your postpartum recovery needs with your healthcare provider.

 

Depression and Anxiety Around Pregnancy

Real feelings. Real support. You’re not alone.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring big changes — physically, emotionally, and hormonally. It’s common to feel more vulnerable during this time. You are not alone, and what you’re feeling is real. Support is available, and healing is possible.

Normal Changes

• Mood swings

• Feeling more emotional or sensitive

• Worrying about your baby or birth

• Changes in sleep (too much or too little)

• Feeling overwhelmed at times

• Adjusting to physical and hormonal changes

These feelings are common and often improve with time, rest, and support.

Signs to Watch For

• Persistent sadness or low mood.

• Feeling anxious, worried, or on edge most of the time.

• Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy.

• Trouble concentrating or making decisions.

• Changes in appetite (eating much more or less).

• Feeling disconnected from your baby.

• Feeling like you’re not yourself.

If these feelings last more than two weeks or are getting harder to manage, reach out for support.

Reach Out for Support

• Talk with your OB, midwife, or pediatrician.

• Consider a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health.

• Connect with a postpartum doula for extra emotional and practical support.

• Reach out to a trusted family member or friend.

• Join a local or online support group.

• Support is available, and treatment can help.

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Get Help Now

• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

• Feeling like you can’t go on.

• Severe anxiety or panic attacks.

• Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.

• Feeling out of control or unsafe.

Call or Text 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

Call 9-1-1 for immediate help if you or your baby are in danger.

Educational information only. Discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

 

Get Care for These Post-Birth Warning Signs

Save Your Life. Know the signs. Get help.

Most women who give birth recover without problems. But any woman can have complications after giving birth. Learning to recognize these post-birth warning signs and knowing what to do can save your life.

Post-birth complications can happen anytime during the first year after delivery.

Call 911 Now If You Have

• Pain in chest

• Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath

• Seizures

• Thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else

Call Your Healthcare Provider Now If You Have

• Bleeding, soaking through one pad/hour, or blood clots the size of an egg or bigger

• Incision that is not healing

• Red or swollen leg that is painful or warm to touch

• Temperature of 100.4°F or higher

• Headache that does not get better, even after taking medicine, or bad headache with vision changes

If you can’t reach your healthcare provider, call 911 or go to an emergency room.

Trust Your Instincts

Always get medical care if you are not feeling well or have questions or concerns.

Tell 911 or Your Healthcare Provider

Tell every healthcare provider that you gave birth within the past year.

Why These Warning Signs Need Prompt Medical Care

• Pain in chest, obstructed breathing or shortness of breath may mean you have a blood clot in your lung or a heart problem.

• Seizures may mean you have a condition called eclampsia.

• Thoughts or feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or someone else may mean you have postpartum depression.

• Heavy bleeding, soaking more than one pad in an hour or passing an egg-sized clot or bigger may mean you have an obstetric hemorrhage.

• An incision that is not healing, increased redness or any pus from an episiotomy or C-section site may mean you have an infection.

• Redness, swelling, warmth, or pain in the calf area of your leg may mean you have a blood clot.

• Temperature of 100.4°F or higher or bad-smelling vaginal blood or discharge may mean you have an infection.

• A very painful headache, vision changes, or pain in the upper right area of your belly may mean you have high blood pressure or post-birth preeclampsia.

One warning sign is enough to act.

My Important Numbers and Information

• My Healthcare Provider/Clinic

• Phone Number

• Hospital Closest to Me

Educational information only. Discuss concerns with your healthcare provider.