Gentle Beginnings: Caring for Your Newborn (part 1)

Welcoming a newborn is one of life's most joyful transitions, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. It is natural to feel uncertain in those first few weeks. What you are feeling does not mean you are failing. It means you are adjusting, and that takes time and care. Caring for your newborn comes with learning, guided by love, patience, and practice. We hope the information below offers comfort, support, and a bit of extra confidence as you navigate this journey of parenthood.

Feeding Your Newborn with Confidence

In the early weeks, feeding is one of the main ways you connect with and care for your baby. Every baby is unique, and what works for one may look different for another. Here is an overview to support you as you navigate newborn feeding in the early weeks.

1. How often newborns eat

   In the first weeks of life, newborns typically feed frequently and on demand, often every 2 to 3 hours. Rather than sticking to a strict clock schedule, pay attention to your baby's hunger cues. Most babies want to eat often throughout the day and night. Responding to these cues helps support healthy weight gain for your baby, and for breastfeeding mummies, it helps establish a good milk supply.

2. Benefits of breastfeeding

   • Nutritionally complete: Contains all essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for your baby's growth and development for the first 6 months.

   • Easier to digest: Less likely to cause tummy aches, constipation, or diarrhea.

   • Immunity support: Antibodies in breast milk reduce infections.

   • Long-term health: Reduces risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), obesity, and diabetes later in life.

   • Benefits for mummies: Helps the uterus to contract after birth, aids postpartum weight loss, delays return of menstrual cycle, and lowers risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

   • Bonding: Skin-to-skin contact strengthens mother-child connection.

Breastfeeding takes time to learn, and it is okay if it feels challenging at first.

Health Hub offers more information on breastfeeding, including key nutrients in breast milk, proper latching positions, common breastfeeding concerns, and guidance on expressing and storing breast milk:

https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/parent-hub/baby-toddler/childhood-healthy-diet

3. Formula milk: when & why it's used

   Although breast milk is recommended for newborns, infant formula is a safe and nutritionally adequate alternative when breastfeeding isn't possible or needs to be supplemented. If you choose to use formula or combine it with breastfeeding, you are still nourishing your baby in a healthy way.

   For more detailed information on the different types of infant formula milk and stages of formula feeding, visit Health Hub's page here:

   https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/parent-hub/baby-toddler/childhood-healthy-diet

4. Recognizing your baby's hunger and fullness cues

   Signs your baby is hungry:

   • Increased eye movements, under closed eyelids or open eyes.

   • Opens mouth, extends tongue, and turns head to look for the breast.

   • Makes soft sucking sounds.

   • Strong rooting reflex - Sucking or chewing on hands, fingers, or objects that come into contact with your baby's mouth. Moves toward your finger when it's placed near the corner of your baby's mouth.

   • Crying is often a late hunger signal.

   Signs your baby is full:

   • Appears contented and satisfied.

   • Relaxed body and hands.

   • Passes clear urine and has bowel movements 2 to 5 times or more a day.

   • Slowed or stopped sucking.

   • Turning head away from breast or bottle.

   • Falling asleep after feeding.

It's natural to compare feeding options, but there is no single "right" way to feed a baby. Whether you choose breastfeeding or formula feeding, both come with their own considerations. What matters most is that your baby is fed, growing, and cared for, and that you feel supported in your choices.

Sources: Health Hub / Parent Hub 2026

For a comprehensive step by step guide to caring for your newborn, visit here: https://familiesforlife.sg/pages/fflp-step-by-step-in-pictures?fflpgroup=2

Sleep Patterns

Newborn Care

Support for Unplanned Pregnancies

We understand that not every pregnancy is planned, and it can be a difficult and emotional time. If you or someone you know is facing an unplanned pregnancy, you are not alone. You can reach out to us at 9183 4483 to speak to someone who understands and can guide you through your next steps. We are here for you, and we want to help you.