A newborn does not come with an instruction manual. The first weeks after birth oscillate between wonder and fatigue, and most useful gestures are learned on the job. A few concrete guidelines can help navigate this period with more serenity, without striving for perfection.
Infant Sleep: What the New Recommendations Change
Have you heard the advice “baby sleeps in their crib, in the parents’ room”? This advice remains the foundation. The French Pediatric Society (SFP) recommends room-sharing, without bed-sharing, during the first months of life.
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But the reality of daily life complicates things. Many parents end up falling asleep with their baby, especially during nighttime feedings. Rather than simply banning this practice, the SFP has proposed risk-reduction recommendations since 2023 for families who practice co-sleeping nonetheless.
The conditions to respect in this case: a firm and flat mattress, no heavy duvet or pillow near the infant, no consumption of alcohol, drugs, or sedative medications, and never falling asleep with the baby on a couch or armchair. UNICEF UK adopted a similar approach in 2023, encouraging healthcare professionals to address the topic without blaming parents.
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To discover everything about baby with Maman Bébés, these guidelines around sleep constitute a good starting point because better-managed nights change the rest of the day.
The baby’s crib should remain empty: no crib bumper, no stuffed animals, no blanket. A sleep sack suitable for the season is sufficient. The room temperature ideally hovers around 19 degrees.
Skin Care and Bathing the Infant: Important Gestures
A newborn’s skin is thinner and more permeable than that of an adult. This is not a cosmetic detail: it means that applied products penetrate more easily, and irritations can occur quickly.
Frequency and Process of Bathing
A bath every two to three days is more than sufficient in the first weeks. Between baths, a gentle wash with a soft cloth on the face, neck, hands, and bottom does the job. Daily bathing is not a medical requirement and can even dry out the infant’s skin.
Here are some practical guidelines for bathing:
- The water temperature should be checked with a bath thermometer (around 37 degrees), not with the elbow, which is not reliable enough.
- Unscented moisturizing soap remains the safest choice for an infant, in small amounts.
- Carefully dry the folds (neck, armpits, groin) to avoid maceration, by patting rather than rubbing.
Daily Diaper Changes
Diapers should be changed frequently, as soon as they are soiled. For cleaning the bottom, water and a cotton ball or a square of liniment are sufficient. Scented wipes should be avoided on an infant: they often contain irritating preservatives.
The umbilical cord usually falls off within the first two weeks. In the meantime, gentle cleaning with a compress and water is enough. No antiseptic is needed unless advised otherwise by a doctor.
Infant Feeding: Breastfeeding, Bottle-Feeding, and Introduction of Allergens
Feeding is the number one concern for new parents. Breastfeeding or formula, both options adequately nourish a baby. The choice depends on each family’s situation, not on a value ranking.
Breastfeeding and Latching
The first feedings can be clumsy. This is normal. Latching improves with practice. A good latch covers the areola, not just the nipple. If pain persists beyond the first few days, a consultation with a midwife or lactation consultant can help correct the position.
Bottle-Feeding and Infant Formula
For parents who choose bottle-feeding, first-stage formula meets the nutritional needs of the infant until the introduction of solid foods. Sterilizing bottles is no longer routinely recommended: careful washing with hot water and dish soap, followed by a good rinse, is considered sufficient.
Early Introduction of Food Allergens
Recommendations on the introduction of allergens have evolved in recent years. Recent studies show that early introduction of peanut and egg, between four and six months, reduces the risk of food allergies in at-risk children. The EAT study (Enquiring About Tolerance), conducted in the UK, highlighted a reduction in allergy risk when six major allergens were introduced as early as three months.
The European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology (ESPGHAN) has recommended since 2022 not to delay the introduction of peanut and cooked egg. Waiting until after twelve months to introduce these foods is no longer considered protective.
Skin-to-Skin Contact and Parent-Child Bonding from Birth
Skin-to-skin contact is not reserved for the delivery room. This practice, which involves placing the infant directly against the parent’s bare chest, can continue during the first weeks at home.
The benefits are documented: stabilization of body temperature, regulation of heart rate, calming of the baby. For the parent, skin-to-skin contact promotes the production of oxytocin and facilitates the establishment of breastfeeding. The father or second parent can practice skin-to-skin contact with the same effects.
The baby’s clothing also deserves a mention. Natural materials (cotton, in particular) are preferable to synthetic ones, especially against the skin. To assess whether the baby is too hot or too cold, touching their neck provides a more reliable indication than their hands, which are often cool by nature.
The first weeks with a child are not just a list of technical gestures. Each baby has their own rhythm of sleep, feeding, and crying. The guidelines shared here serve as a framework, not a script. The rest adjusts over the days, one feeding, one bath, one night at a time.