THE FIRST 100 DAYS AFTER BIRTH

Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and rewarding things anyone can do. After nine months of pregnancy and a short stay in hospital, you get to bring your baby home – but then reality sets in and you realise that you are responsible for everything this little human needs. Knowing what to expect can help you to navigate these early days.

The first 100 days after a baby is born (also known as the newborn stage) is a crucial time for baby’s earliest developmental milestones, particularly brain development. It is also the time when you, as a parent, get to learn about your new role and adjust to the changes in your life. So, what can you expect in these first 100 days?

Feeding

Regardless of whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, there are plenty of concerns and questions surrounding this topic. A bottle-fed baby will feed every three to four hours on average, whereas a breastfed baby will feed every two to three hours. This is because breastmilk digests more easily, making babies hungrier more frequently. It is recommended therefore, that breastfed babies are fed on demand rather than on schedule. This means that a newborn baby will feed between eight and 12 times a day.

Nappies

Immediately after birth, your baby’s first stool, called meconium, will be dark green (almost black). This is from the amniotic fluid that your baby has been consuming in utero.

After a couple of days, the colour and consistency will change to become more yellow and liquid for breastfed babies and a greenish colour for formula-fed babies. Plenty of wet nappies are important to know that the kidneys are functioning well.