Parent Answers
- Who looks after you and your baby after the midwife signs you off?
Your community midwife will usually discharge you and your baby somewhere between day 10 and day 28 after birth.
- How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
In the first weeks, the clearest signs are in the nappy: poo changing from black to yellow over the first few days, and plenty of wet nappies (at least 6 heavy ones a day from about day 5, according to the NHS).
- What colour should my newborn's poo be?
In the first week your newborn's poo should change colour in a clear order: black on days 1 and 2 (meconium), then green, then greeny brown, then mustard yellow by around day 5.
- Five newborn things that look worrying but are usually normal
Peeling skin, lots of sneezing, eyes that sometimes cross or wander, frequent hiccups and, in baby girls, a little discharge or blood in the nappy are all common in the first weeks and usually normal.
- What happens to your body after birth?
After birth you will bleed, heavily at first, while your womb shrinks and heals.
- Does formula keep a baby fuller for longer?
It's a common belief that formula sits heavier, so formula-fed babies sleep longer and feed less often.
- How do I keep my baby cool at night in hot weather?
In really hot weather a nappy only, or a lightweight short-sleeved cotton vest, is usually all your baby needs.
- What is Julie?
Julie is a parenting companion app for families in the UK with children aged 0 to 3.