The birth has been tiring for baby aswell as for you. For this reason baby will probably sleep a lot in her or her first week of life. Make the most of it - it won’t last forever!

When baby is not sleeping they will be demanding to be fed. This is a time to bond and also a time to begin to practice your bottle or breastfeeding skills. As baby has delicate skin and 9 months worth of waste to get rid of you will also be changing nappies after every feed.

Baby will not have control of his or her limbs for a few weeks yet so expect jerky movements. Swadling can help baby to keep their limbs still and make them feel the security and warmth of being back in the womb. Swaddling is a way of wrapping your baby in a sheet or blanket to hold they arms down. This can be comforting for newborns. For more information read our article “How do I swaddle my baby?”

In baby’s first week you will see their umbilical cord stump fall off. You will also see the vernix (white greasy substance which coats baby in the womb) gradually wash off their hair.

You are likely to have some concerns over being too rough with baby or what to do when they cry. Don’t worry. It will come to you quicker than you realise and you will feel like a natural in a couple of weeks.

If you have been released from hospital then you will probably have a visit each day of the first week from your health visitor. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you have.