Bringing your baby home is one of the most exciting, emotional, and overwhelming experiences of your life. Those first 72 hours are filled with tiny milestones, big adjustments, and a lot of “Is this normal?” questions, and that’s completely okay.
This guide will walk you through everything new parents need to know about the first three days with a newborn, from diaper changes and feeding frequency to sleep patterns and the importance of weight checks. Consider this your roadmap to a calmer, more confident start to parenthood.
Diapers and Poop: What’s Normal for a Newborn?
One of the first signs your baby is adjusting well outside the womb is their diaper output. Understanding what’s normal can help you spot important signs of health, and reassure you that everything is on track.
Here’s what to expect in the first 72 hours:
-
Day 1: Your baby will pass meconium, a thick, dark, tar-like stool. It’s completely normal and shows that their digestive system is functioning properly.
-
Day 2–3: Stools typically transition from meconium to a greenish-brown color and eventually become yellow and seedy (for breastfed babies) or more formed (for formula-fed babies).
-
Diaper count: Expect 1-2 wet or dirty diapers per day in the beginning. By the end of the first week, that number usually increases to 6+ wet diapers daily.
Why it matters: Diaper changes are more than a chore; they’re an important indicator of hydration, nutrition, and digestive health. Tracking them gives you (and your pediatrician) valuable insight into how your newborn is adjusting.
Woddle Tip: The Woddle app makes it easy to log diaper changes, so you never have to guess whether your baby’s output is on track.
Feeding Frequency: How Often Should a Newborn Eat?
Feeding is one of the biggest questions for new parents, and understandably so. Your newborn’s stomach is tiny (about the size of a cherry at birth), which means they’ll need to eat often to stay full and grow.
Here’s what’s typical in the first three days:
-
Newborns feed 8-12 times per 24 hours, usually every 2-3 hours.
-
Feeding sessions might be short and frequent, especially in the early days.
-
Look for early hunger cues like rooting, hand-sucking, or stirring before your baby cries.
What’s important: Don’t stress about the exact amount your baby is eating during this stage. Frequent, responsive feeding is key. If they’re feeding regularly and having wet diapers, they’re likely getting enough.
Woddle Tip: Use Woddle’s feeding tracker to monitor sessions, track ounces or minutes, and spot patterns, whether you’re breastfeeding, formula-feeding, or doing a combination of both.
Newborn Sleep Patterns: What to Expect
Newborn sleep can feel unpredictable, because it is! In the first 72 hours, your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb and doesn’t yet have a concept of day and night.
Here’s what’s normal:
-
Newborns sleep 14-17 hours a day, but not all at once.
-
Sleep usually happens in short bursts of 1-3 hours between feeds.
-
Some babies are extra sleepy right after birth and might need gentle encouragement to wake up and eat.
Pro tip: This fragmented sleep is temporary. As your baby grows and their feeding schedule becomes more predictable, sleep stretches will lengthen.
Woddle Tip: Logging sleep in the Woddle app helps you spot natural patterns, understand wake windows, and build healthy sleep habits as your baby grows.
Weight Checks: One of the Most Important Indicators of Health
Weight is one of the best ways to monitor your newborn’s health in the first days and weeks of life. It’s completely normal for babies to lose up to 7–10% of their birth weight within the first few days; this is simply their body adjusting to life outside the womb.
What to know about newborn weight:
-
Most babies regain their birth weight by around 2 weeks of age.
-
Regular weight checks help confirm that your baby is feeding well and growing appropriately.
-
Weighing your baby before and after feedings can even help you estimate how much milk they’re taking in.
Why it matters: Tracking weight gain provides reassurance that your baby is healthy and helps your pediatrician make informed decisions at early checkups.
Woddle Tip: The Woddle Smart Changing Pad lets you weigh your baby at home with medical-grade precision. By measuring before and after feedings, you can see exactly how much milk they’re consuming, no guessing, just confidence.
The Bottom Line: The First 72 Hours Are a Learning Curve, For Both of You
The first few days with your newborn are full of change, learning, and love. It’s normal to feel unsure or overwhelmed, but remember, your baby is learning just as much as you are. Trust your instincts, lean on your support system, and celebrate the small wins (like that first dirty diaper or successful latch!).
And don’t forget: tools like Woddle are here to support you every step of the way. From tracking feedings and diaper changes to monitoring growth and weight, Woddle helps you focus less on data and more on bonding, because those first cuddles are what truly matter.
Key Takeaways for New Parents
-
Diapers: Meconium → transitional → yellow stools; increasing diaper count is a good sign.
-
Feeding: 8-12 times daily, watch for early hunger cues.
-
Sleep: 14-17 hours total, broken into short stretches.
-
Weight: Up to 10% loss is normal, regain by ~2 weeks.
You’ve got this, and Woddle’s here to make those first 72 hours- and beyond- a little easier. Remember to always check with your baby's doctor to get information and advice specific to your child.
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