Everyday life with a baby – from sleeping to bathing

Feeding, changing and bathing a baby – all of these promote bonding after birth and take some getting used to. Enjoy these special moments and don’t despair when things don’t work right away or take a lot of time. Together, you will find out what your baby likes most, where they prefer to sleep and the best way to feed them. Below you can read all about how you can structure your everyday life with a baby and what you need to bear in mind.

A newborn baby fundamentally changes your everyday life. This makes it all the more important that you structure your day properly:

• In your everyday life with a baby, schedule times for naps and so on in a way that works best for your newborn. For example, if your child needs to sleep at 10 am, adjust your daily timetable accordingly. Schedule doctor’s appointments early in the morning or go for a short walk around their nap time. Arrange your day so that you are driving with your newborn at their regular nap time, as most babies sleep particularly well in the car.
• Stick to a fixed routine. If in the evening, for example, you put your baby in their pyjamas, then sing to them and then breastfeed them, you should keep doing things in this order.
• Be patient. The first few weeks and months with your baby can be exhausting. Over time, however, you will get to know your newborn better and develop a routine. Make a note of your daily activities over a period of a few weeks, then talk to your partner about how efficient this routine is: there might be something you can improve.
• Don’t compare yourself to other families. What works well for others doesn’t necessarily have to work for you. Be open to advice, but don’t drive yourself crazy if something doesn’t work.
• Schedule time with your partner and friends. This way you can recharge your batteries for your everyday life with a newborn.
• Set priorities. What’s important to you? What tasks are necessary? You will realise that a perfectly tidy kitchen is not as important as spending precious time with your child.
  

How much sleep does a baby need? In the first few weeks, babies sleep up to 18 hours a day. There’s no need to worry if your child sleeps more or less than this, as babies’ sleep needs vary. Newborns don’t yet have a rhythm and can wake up at all hours of the day and night. They might be hungry, need their nappy changing or just want to be close to you. If your baby is not sleeping properly, there may be a number of reasons. Are you unsure whether your baby is in pain? Your midwife, paediatrician and local services for parents will be happy to help. 

Babies feed for different lengths of time: one may be full in ten minutes, another might need 30 to 40 minutes. How often should you breastfeed your baby? In the first few weeks, do this about eight to twelve times within 24 hours. If you think your child isn’t drinking enough milk, you can also wake your sleeping baby to breastfeed. Breastfeeding isn’t just a source of food – it meets your baby’s need to suckle. When your child suckles, they relax. How long you breastfeed is up to you – and your baby. Institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend breastfeeding for a full six months at least. Solids should ideally be started from the age of four months. 

Note: if you’d like to breastfeed your child, and you can, that’s wonderful. Breast milk is the best thing for newborns. But breastfeeding doesn’t always work from the word go. Sometimes it doesn’t work at all, or only for a short time. You may not even want to breastfeed. Talk to your midwife or breastfeeding specialist if you have any questions.

Changing your baby’s nappy and bathing them is part of your daily routine with a baby. But how often should you change their nappies? Babies usually need about five to eight nappies a day. Change your baby’s nappy as soon as the nappy is wet or dirty. Ideally, you should also give your baby a fresh nappy after they wake up and before they go to sleep in the evening. Important: you shouldn’t change your baby’s nappy at night once they’re sleeping through the night. It’s better to use disposable inserts to make the nappy more absorbent. Changing your baby’s nappy is a special moment. Be gentle and play with your baby; allow yourself enough time for this.

How often should you bathe your baby? In general, bathing your child for about ten minutes once a week is enough. If your baby enjoys this time, you can bathe them several times a week, but not every day. This way you’ll protect their skin’s protective barrier. Use water at a temperature of 36°C to 37°C. You don’t need to use any skincare products such as bath additives, oils or creams unless your child has dry skin. Examine your baby’s skin every day for reddened or sore areas. If you notice any unusual spots, talk to your paediatrician. It is usually advisable to bathe babies in the evening, as it helps them to relax. If, on the other hand, bathing your child makes them more lively, simply adjust their bath time accordingly.

Did you know: experts recommend that you don’t give your baby their first bath until more than 24 hours after birth. This is because the vernix caseosa present at birth protects the baby from certain bacteria and fungi.

Dress your baby correctly by following this rule of thumb: your baby should always wear one layer more than you do – in summer and in winter. The following tips may also be helpful:

• The correct way to dress babies in summer: put your baby in airy clothes, such as a loose, sleeveless bodysuit. Cotton is ideal as it absorbs sweat and prevents heat spots.
• The correct way to dress babies in winter: opt for several thin layers rather than fewer thick ones. Choose clothes that you can take off your baby quickly. If your child is napping, open the top layer. Choose clothes made of synthetic fibres such as fleece or polyester. These are gentle on your baby’s skin.

Babies can’t regulate their own body temperature yet, so their hands and feet are often cold. But how can you tell if your baby is too hot or too cold? If this is the case, your newborn may be distressed or crying. Place two fingers on your child’s neck. If their skin is warm and sweaty, remove a layer. 

You can dress your baby correctly for sleep by choosing loose cotton pyjamas. Don’t dress your baby too warmly at night. A special baby sleeping bag replaces the blanket and helps your baby maintain an even temperature. In hot weather, all they need is a light bodysuit or just a nappy.

Note: wash new baby clothes twice before putting them on for the first time. Ideally, use a fragrance-free liquid detergent and avoid fabric softener, which can irritate the skin. Wash baby clothes at 60°C and rinse them thoroughly. This way you might be able to prevent allergies.

Play with your baby by stimulating their senses:

• Seeing: early on, babies can’t see very far. They love mobiles over their changing table or pram. Hang them close enough so that your baby can see them. Did you know that from five weeks onwards, babies can perceive their surroundings better? So what can you do with a five-week-old baby? Place them under a play arch or in a high chair with an insert for babies. This way your child can discover lots of new things. At the age of just three months, babies are also able to fix their eyes on a point and follow it.
• Hearing: babies have very good hearing. Your child already knows your voice. Sing to them, chat to them, tell them stories. Your baby will also be familiar with music you listened to when pregnant or played deliberately (e.g. from a music box). By the way, you can also use music or familiar melodies to settle your baby.
• Touching: physical contact is important. Carry, rock and cradle your baby. Many parents give their baby a massage. You can also fill several small bags with different items – from soft to solid. Buttons, cotton wool, foam or wooden balls work well. However, make sure the bags are closed tightly so your baby doesn’t choke on the small parts. If your child is already sitting upright, fill a basket with everyday items (e.g. cooking utensils, feathers, measuring cups, balls), which arouse their curiosity and stimulate their imagination.
• Movement: place your baby on a soft blanket so they can move and kick freely. They love discovering their own hands and feet. Your baby will soon also start trying to lift their head and turn. Ideally, your child should only lie in the pram or car seat for as short a time as possible.
  

Everyday life with a baby can sometimes be challenging – especially if they already have a little sibling or your newborn is difficult to settle. The following sections explain how to deal with such situations.

Everyday life with a baby and toddler

There are a few useful tips for organising your everyday life with a baby and toddler. If you already have a child and are expecting another, it’s important to prepare yourself and your child. Involve the brother or sister to be from the start – even while you’re pregnant. But don’t make everything about the new baby. Maintain your usual rituals, such as bedtime stories or cuddle time, during pregnancy and afterwards.

Get your toddler involved after the birth by asking them to help you with everyday tasks (e.g. putting away the baby clothes, getting the pram out).

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for structuring everyday life with a baby and toddler. Some parents manage this without any problems, while others need some time to adjust. Don’t hesitate to accept help from family members. You should also talk to other people who are in a similar situation.

Everyday life with newborn twins

Everyday life with multiple babies can be challenging. Here’s how to take a more relaxed approach:

• Take up any offers of help. Your family members will be happy to help you with housework or looking after your child.
• Prioritise organisation. Label boxes or cupboard compartments for each baby. This means that anyone helping you will know immediately what belongs to each baby. It also helps the children to differentiate between “mine” and “yours” later on.
• Pay close attention. Observe how your babies treat each other. Do they sleep well together in the same bed? If not, it may be a good idea to put them in separate beds. Pay attention to how your children behave. This will help you identify what works and what doesn’t.
• Bathe your babies separately, perhaps even on different days. This will help you avoid stress, keep track of everything and save time. The same applies to doctor’s appointments. Schedule one appointment for each baby, or take a family member with you to look after one child while you’re in the examination room with the other.
• Meet new people. Get to know parents who also have twins (e.g. via online forums). Share your experiences and ideas and give each other valuable advice. 

Everyday life with a baby in the crying phase

A baby’s crying phase lasts up to three hours a day. This is stressful for both you and your child. What is the best way to deal with these situations?

• Shield your child from external stimuli if possible.
• Carry your baby around during the day. Children whose parents carry them regularly in a sling, for example, usually cry less.
• Make sure your baby has a balanced sleep-wake routine. If your baby is overtired, they will cry more.
• If you want to calm your newborn down, carry them gently in your arms or lay them in their bed. Place one hand gently on their stomach and one hand on their head.
• Schedule breaks where you too can relax. This will keep you calm and help you deal with the crying phase
  

Routine, a fixed schedule and patience are important for everyday life with a baby. Whether they’re two months old or four months old – you will find your own rhythm. Set clear priorities and leave things that are not so important for another time. Take regular short breaks and seek advice from specialists or family members if you need to.