How do I know if my newborn is thriving?

By Victoria Shaw, NMC registered midwife. Last reviewed October 2026.

Short answerFrom around day five, expect about six wet nappies a day and, if you are breastfeeding, at least two soft yellow poos. Your baby should be waking for feeds, around eight or more in a 24 hour period, and you should be able to hear and see them swallowing while they feed. Afterwards they should be content and relaxed, and sleepy between feeds. Some weight loss in the first few days is normal, and most babies are back to their birth weight by around two weeks.

What should the nappies look like?

From around day five, we would expect about six wet nappies a day. And if you are breastfeeding, at least two soft yellow poos.

What goes in needs to come out. That is the simplest version of it.

How often should my newborn be feeding?

Your baby waking for feeds is itself a green flag, and we would expect around eight or more feeds in a 24 hour period.

During the feed, you should be able to hear and see them swallowing. Afterwards they should be content and relaxed, and sleepy between feeds as well.

Should my baby have lost weight?

There may be some weight lost in the first few days, and that is expected. Most babies are back to their birth weight by around two weeks.

What else tells you a newborn is doing well?

Short wake windows. Good colouring. And starting to respond to your voice and your touch.

Things like snuffles, hiccups and sneezes are normal as well, even though they are often the things that worry parents most.

Why does nobody mention the green flags?

We seem to spend a lot of time looking for what is wrong. Most of the reassurance you are looking for is already in front of you, it just does not announce itself the way a problem does.

Sources

General information from a registered midwife, not a substitute for individual medical advice.