First night instructions

Your baby is born! The first 24 hours with your baby can be exciting. That is why we provide tips and advice for the first 24 hours after delivery, after the maternity nurse has left on the 1st maternity day or when you have returned home in the evening after giving birth in the hospital. After all, such a first night together and alone with your baby can raise questions.

Points of attention and advice

A first night alone with your baby can be quite exciting. Moreover, you still have to get to know your baby. Sometimes you hardly hear the baby, or you hear the baby moaning or sighing loudly. That can raise questions. That is why we give you some tips and advice below so that you can get through the first 24 hours with peace of mind.



Maternity woman

try to urinate regularly
go to the shower or toilet under supervision
you may have painful aftereffects
Consult with your midwife whether you can use paracetamol
change the maternity towel every 2 to 3 hours
you may lose fist-sized clots, this is normal
If 2 maternity towels are soaked within 30 minutes, call the midwife immediately!



Baby

The baby's temperature should be between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees
If the temperature is lower than 36.5, place your baby skin to skin with a hat on.
if the temperature is higher than 37.5, dress the baby less warmly
Temperature again after 1 hour, both at high and low temperatures
does the temperature not improve? Then call the midwife
Only use a hot water bottle to preheat the crib. See usage advice for jugs



Sleep safely

keep the baby in the room with you
Place the baby on the back in the crib or bed
let the baby sleep in its own crib or crib
Do not use a duvet for the baby, but a sheet or blanket
a safe crib or bed is free of cuddly toys, head protectors, and side pillows
use a cuddle cloth instead of cuddly toys
don't smoke in the house
view on Sleep safely
view photos showing safe and not safe on image bank safe sleep

Change the baby regularly

there may be an orange/pink urine discharge in the diaper. these are urate crystals. This disappears as the baby drinks more
Girls sometimes have some blood in their diapers, this is normal
the first stool is black in color and sticky. This is called meconium
check the navel during changing, it should not bleed
the baby may feel nauseous for the first 24 hours. This can be caused by swallowing blood and/or amniotic fluid.

Breastfeeding or formula feeding

try to latch the baby often, on average every 3 hours, but earlier is also possible
make sure the baby's tummy is against your stomach
make sure the baby takes a big bite when latching on
the baby must not only take the nipple in its mouth, but also part of the areola
the tabs should be curled outwards
the entire jaw moves while drinking, then the baby drinks well
the baby may sleep a lot the first night and drink little, that is normal
the baby has sufficient reserves for the first 24 hours
keep trying every few hours by holding the baby against your body
formula; offer 10 milliliters of food approximately every 3 hours
preparing artificial food; follow the instructions on the packaging