🌱 Baby Development: Newborn to 3 Months

Welcoming a newborn is exciting, overwhelming, and full of new routines. This section is a practical guide you can follow to prepare, care for, and bond with your little one in those first three months.

🐣Before Arrival

Getting organized before your little one arrives makes the first days smoother.

Nursery & Home Setup

• Crib set to newborn height + bassinet.

• Nursing station stocked with reading material, nail clippers, phone charger, lip balm, water, and snacks.

• Changing station with diapers, wipes, creams, burp cloths, and diaper pail.
  
  

Clothing Organization

• Sort 0–3 month clothes into dresser drawers.

• Add 3–6 month clothes if space allows.

• Fold and arrange by style/size or use drawer dividers.

• Label drawers with a label maker or printable labels (👉Check out Living Well Mom and Sunny Day Family).

• Laminate or cover labels with clear tape so they last longer.

• See also: Kids Toys & Clothes Labels (custom example).

💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t have a printer or the time to make labels, simply use masking tape and a permanent marker to label the outside of the dresser drawers. Pro Tip: Label clothes themselves with masking tape and permanent marker.

Other Prep

• Organize toys on a bookshelf or toy shelf.

• Declutter/reorganize your home before baby arrives.

• Install car seat with locking clip if using a seatbelt.

• Trim your nails and your family’s nails to prevent scratching baby.

• Prep freezer meals, crockpot, or Instant Pot meals.
  
  

🤱Mom Before & After Birth

Caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your newborn.  Here's what to know: 

• Nursing bras, pads, pillows, and scarves (multi-use covers).

• Nipple cream or coconut oil for soreness.

• Maternity or postpartum pillows for comfort.

• Cozy robes and lounge clothes for recovery.

• Explore postpartum options like placenta encapsulation, tinctures, or FDA Zulresso.

• Explore recovery options that work for you, and remember — rest, comfort, and healing make you stronger for your baby. 

💡 Tip: Don’t stress about a perfect house or schedule. Laundry will get done eventually—focus on rest and bonding.

🛁 Grooming & Bathing

Keeping your newborn clean and comfortable takes a gentle approach. Here’s what to know:

Bathing Your Newborn

• Sponge baths only (every 2–3 days) with warm water (test water using your elbow) only until the umbilical cord area is fully healed.

• Once healed, use a tiny bit of gentle, fragrance-free baby soap only where needed.

• Keep baths short: 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times a week.

• Use a gentle newborn tub (⭐ My First Years Tub with Newborn Sling recommended).

• Cover baby boy’s private area with a washcloth to avoid surprise pee showers.

• Wash baby’s hair last — try “football style” over the sink to keep water out of their eyes.

• Gather all supplies needed prior to getting baby in the tub and have them right next to you. Never leave baby alone in the bath.  

• Brush Baby's hair daily using a soft baby brush to prevent tangles and cradle cap. 

👉 Watch this quick sponge bath video guide

👂 Washing Your Baby’s Ears 

When it comes to ear care, less is more for newborns. A baby’s ears naturally keep themselves clean, so you don’t need to put anything inside the ear canal.

• Use a soft, damp washcloth to gently wipe around the outside of the ear during bath time.

• Never use cotton swabs or insert anything into your baby’s ear — this can push wax deeper or cause injury.

• If you notice excessive wax, redness, or signs of discomfort, talk to your pediatrician.

• Always dry the outer ear gently after washing to prevent irritation.

💡 Tip: Babies may have little folds around the ear that can collect milk dribbles or lint. Make sure to gently clean and dry those spots too.

Nails

• Clip nails (including toe nails if needed) only when your baby is in a deep sleep (about 10 minutes after falling asleep).

• 👉 Watch How to Clip Baby Nails (Video)

• Parents and caregivers should also keep their own nails trimmed to prevent accidental scratches.
  
  

Skin & Eyes

• Apply Aquaphor to irritated neck folds using a Q-tip.

• Wipe away yellow eye discharge with a warm washcloth (this is common and usually temporary).
  
  

Cradle Cap

• If cradle cap develops, wash hair more frequently and gently brush/comb during shampooing.
  👉 Mayo Clinic Guide
  
  

🦷Oral Care

• For babies under 3 months, brushing isn’t needed yet — just wipe gums with a soft, damp washcloth after feedings.

• Once teeth appear, use a baby-sized toothbrush with soft bristles and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste.
  👉 Watch When to Start Brushing Baby Teeth

💤 Newborn Routine, Feeding & Sleep

Caring for a newborn is all about consistency and comfort. Here are the basics every parent should know:

Swaddling & Comfort

• Hold, do skin-to-skin, and swaddle often — this helps baby transition to the outside world and soothes fussiness.
  👉 Watch How to Swaddle (Video)

Feeding

• Breastfed babies: Feed directly or pump and give breast milk in a bottle every 2–3 hours.

• Formula-fed babies: Offer about 1 oz of formula every 3–4 hours, adjusting to your baby’s needs.
  👉 All About Feeding: Milk

Sleep & Routine

• Keep a consistent routine of feeding, swaddling, and soothing.
  Follow safe sleep guidelines:

  • Always place baby on their back.

  • Use a firm crib or bassinet mattress.

  • Keep pillows, blankets, bumper pads, and toys out of the sleep area.
    👉Safe Sleep Guidelines

• Expect frequent wake-ups for feeding every 2–3 hours in the early weeks.

Diapers

• Change frequently. 

👉 Watch How to Change a Diaper (Pampers Video)

• Tips for boys:

  • Cover penis with a wipe to prevent pee showers.

  • Tuck penis down to prevent leaks.

• Preventing rash:

  • Fan/dab dry area before putting on diaper and/or if having to apply diaper rash cream.

  • Track wet & dirty diapers, especially the first week.

💡 First poop = black tar-like, then green, then yellow/seedy. 

👉 Check out Breastfeeding vs Formula Poop for more details

😢Crying

Crying is normal — it’s baby’s only way to communicate.

• Soothe with rocking, singing, swaddling, or skin-to-skin.

• If extra fussy, it may be gas, hunger, tiredness, or the need for comfort.
  👉 Watch How to Relieve Gas Naturally (Video)

• Try products like the Windi Gas Passer.
  
  

🤸Activities

Even in the newborn stage, simple activities can build connection and support development.  Here's what to know: 

• Activity mat with lights.

• Baby massage 👉 Watch How to Massage Baby (Video).

• Stretching 👉 Watch Infant Tension: 3 Stretches To Try At Home or 👉 6 Baby Exercises to Stretch Muscles

• Singing.

• Swing & bouncy seat (for play only).

• Balloon play: Tie a silver Dollar Tree balloon to baby’s ankle for cause-and-effect play 

• Check out 👉 16 Ways to Play with Your Baby.

• Tummy time — start with 1 min and increase. Try toys, mirrors, or tummy time on your chest.

💡 Every little moment of play is a chance to help your baby grow. 

🤱Things to Know (You & Baby)

• Don’t try to do it all. Laundry and chores can wait. SLEEP IS IMPORTANT. 

• For congestion: saline spray + Electric NoseFrida. When Congestion Is Severe: If the electric version isn’t enough, you may need to use the regular NoseFrida. Just be prepared—your baby may not enjoy it, but it can be more effective in clearing stubborn congestion.

• Breastfed babies may go long stretches without pooping. Wet diapers = hydration check.

• Skip teething toys until ~6 months; use a cold washcloth instead.

• Screen time: stick with movies instead of live TV.

• Parenting is teamwork — lean on your partner and share responsibilities.