The Newborn's First Week, Day by Day

Rough counts in 24 hours (breastfed baby)

A common day-by-day chart used by hospitals and lactation consultants, not an official AAP table. The AAP's markers: 2-3 wet diapers a day in the first few days, then at least 5-6 a day after days 4-5; at least 4 stools a day by day 4.

• Day 1: 8+ feeds (colostrum is a few teaspoons), 1+ wet, 1+ black meconium stool.
• Day 2: 8-12 feeds, often nonstop at night (the "second night"), 2+ wet, 2+ dark stools.
• Day 3: 8-12 feeds, 3+ wet, 3+ stools turning green. Weight is near its lowest.
• Day 4: milk often comes in (days 2-5), 4+ wet, 3+ greenish-yellow stools.
• Day 5: 5+ wet, 3+ yellow, seedy stools. Jaundice often peaks around days 3-5.
• Days 6-7: 6+ heavy, pale wet diapers and 3-4+ yellow stools. Formula-fed babies are similar for wet diapers but may stool less. Fewer than this: call the pediatrician.

What usually happens

• Hospital: skin to skin and a first feed within the hour; vitamin K, eye ointment and the first hepatitis B vaccine; after 24 hours, the heel-prick screen, hearing screen, heart (pulse oximetry) screen and a bilirubin check. The first bath can wait about 24 hours.
• First pediatrician visit 1-2 days after going home (around days 3-5) to check weight, jaundice and feeding. Bring discharge papers and a log of feeds and diapers. Next visits are usually around 2 weeks and 1 month.
• Paperwork: the birth certificate worksheet (often with the Social Security number request), and adding the baby to health insurance (many plans allow 30 days).
• A growth spurt with extra cluster feeding often comes around days 7-10.

Normal in the first week

Sleepy feeds, bluish hands and feet, a cone-shaped head, sneezing and hiccups, crossed eyes, peeling skin, noisy grunting sleep, breathing pauses under 10 seconds, small spit-ups.

When to check in

Call the pediatrician the same day for any yellow skin in the first 24 hours; yellow spreading below the face; fewer diapers than above; a baby too sleepy to feed; a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher; or breathing pauses of 20 seconds or more, grunting or blue lips (call 911 for trouble breathing).