The start of a new year already comes with enough pressure, and if you’re welcoming a baby under 6 months old, you may feel like everything is new. New routines, new sounds, new questions, and plenty of late-night Googling.
If you’re a first-time parent, let us say this upfront: so much of what feels “concerning” at this stage is actually completely normal. Babies change fast, and there’s a wide range of healthy, expected behavior in the first six months of life.
This guide is here to help you enter the new year with more confidence and peace of mind — covering what’s normal for newborns and young infants, what tends to surprise parents most, and when to trust your instincts.
Sleep: Short, Frequent, and All Over the Place
One of the biggest surprises for new parents is how unpredictable baby sleep can be, especially in the first six months.
What’s normal:
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Sleeping in short stretches (2–4 hours at a time)
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Day/night confusion in the early weeks
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Frequent night wakings for feeding
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Contact naps or needing help to fall asleep
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Total sleep ranges from 12–17 hours in 24 hours
Sleep schedules don’t truly stabilize for many babies until closer to 4–6 months — and even then, regressions are common. If your baby isn’t sleeping “through the night,” you’re not behind. You’re normal.
Feeding: Cluster Feeding, Spit-Up, and Constant Hunger
Feeding patterns are another area where parents often worry unnecessarily.
Totally normal feeding behaviors include:
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Cluster feeding (especially in the evenings)
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Wanting to eat every 2–3 hours
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Spitting up after feeds
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Switching between breast, bottle, pumping, or combo feeding
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Variable intake from feed to feed
Babies under 6 months are growing rapidly, and intake can fluctuate day to day. Tools like weighted feeds or feed tracking can help parents understand patterns over time — not to obsess, but to feel grounded in what’s actually happening.
Diapers: Yes, That’s Normal Too
Few things prepare parents for the wide world of baby diapers.
Normal diaper surprises include:
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Frequent poops (or skipping days — both can be normal)
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Color changes (yellow, green, brown)
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Runny or seedy textures in breastfed babies
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Wet diapers every 2–4 hours
In general, consistent wet diapers and steady growth matter more than any single diaper. If something looks new but your baby seems comfortable, it’s often just part of development.
Weight Gain: Growth Isn’t Linear
Many parents worry about weight gain — especially in the early months.
Here’s what’s normal:
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Rapid growth in the first 3 months
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Slower or uneven gain later
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Plateaus followed by sudden jumps
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Growth spurts around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Babies don’t gain weight in a straight line. Tracking trends, rather than fixating on one number, is key. Consistency and overall progress matter more than perfection.
Crying: Communication, Not Failure
Crying peaks between 6–8 weeks for many babies and gradually decreases after.
Normal crying includes:
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Fussiness in the late afternoon or evening
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Crying even when all needs seem met
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Wanting to be held constantly
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Difficulty settling without support
Crying doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Babies cry because it’s their primary way to communicate discomfort, stimulation overload, or simply needing closeness.
Development: Every Baby Has Their Own Timeline
In the first 6 months, development can feel like a constant comparison game — especially online.
Normal developmental variation includes:
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Rolling earlier or later
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Head control is improving gradually
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Smiling, cooing, and babbling on different timelines
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Strong preferences for certain positions or caregivers
Milestones are ranges, not deadlines. Your baby’s path doesn’t need to match someone else’s highlight reel.
What Is Worth Checking In About?
While most things are normal, trust your instincts and reach out to your pediatrician if you notice:
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Fewer wet diapers than usual
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Persistent vomiting (not just spit-up)
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Poor feeding or lethargy
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Fever in a newborn
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A sudden change that doesn’t feel right
You know your baby best — and asking questions is part of good parenting.
A New Year Reminder for New Parents
As you step into the new year, remember this:
You are learning.
Your baby is learning.
And you’re both doing something brand new.
Having tools that help you track patterns, understand trends, and feel confident in day-to-day care can make a huge difference — not to control the experience, but to support it.
At Woddle, we believe peace of mind comes from clarity, not pressure. And for new parents, knowing what’s normal is often the most powerful reassurance of all. Remember to always talk with your baby's pediatrician to get information specific to them.
Share Your Parenting Story
We invite you to share your parenting story with us! Let's create a supportive space where we can celebrate the joys and triumphs of parenthood while offering encouragement to one another during challenging times. Get in touch with us at love@reservewoddle.com