First 6 Weeks With Baby

What you will be able to do

• describe what usually happens in the first 6 weeks, including the checks and visits offered to you and your baby.
• recognise your baby's hunger cues and use nappies to judge how feeding is going.
• set up a safe sleep space and use calm strategies, including ICON, when your baby cries.
• carry out everyday baby care safely, including cord care, washing and taking a temperature.
• look after your own recovery and know what is normal for bleeding, healing and the pelvic floor.
• tell the difference between the baby blues and signs that need support, for you or your partner.
• recognise red-flag signs in your baby and yourself and know whether to call 111, Healthline or your GP.
• prepare for your postnatal check and your baby's 6-week check.

1. 1The first days and who looks after you

   What usually happens in the first days after birth, the checks your baby is offered, and who supports you at each stage.

   • What to expect in the first days
   • Checks for your baby and the Well Child book

   Feed, Nappy and Sleep LogFirst 6 Weeks: Week-by-Week Checklist

2. 2Feeding your newborn

   How often newborns feed, signs feeding is going well, and where to get help, whether you breastfeed, formula feed or both.

   • Responsive feeding and how often
   • Is my baby getting enough?

   Feed, Nappy and Sleep Log

3. 3Sleep, crying and settling

   How newborns sleep, how to set up safe sleep, why crying increases in the early weeks, and how to cope with it.

   • Newborn sleep and safe sleep
   • Crying and coping

   Feed, Nappy and Sleep LogBaby and Mum Red-Flag Checker

4. 4Everyday baby care

   Nappies, cord care, washing, temperature, jaundice and car seats: the practical basics, done safely.

   • Nappies, cord care and keeping clean
   • Temperature, jaundice and getting out

   Baby and Mum Red-Flag CheckerFirst 6 Weeks: Week-by-Week Checklist

5. 5Your physical recovery

   What is normal as your body recovers after birth, how to look after yourself, and the warning signs to know.

   • Bleeding, stitches and caesarean recovery
   • Pelvic floor, eating well and moving again

   Baby and Mum Red-Flag Checker6-Week Postnatal Check Prep Sheet

6. 6Your feelings and relationships

   Understand the baby blues, postnatal depression and anxiety, the signs of a mental health emergency, and how partners and family can help.

   • Baby blues, postnatal depression and anxiety
   • Partners, family and asking for help

   Feed, Nappy and Sleep LogVisitors Plan

7. 7Visitors, help and practical life

   Plan visitors so they help rather than tire you, and get the practical paperwork done in the first six weeks.

   • Planning visitors
   • Paperwork and practical tasks

   Visitors PlanFirst 6 Weeks: Week-by-Week Checklist

8. 8Red flags and the 6-week checks

   Bring the warning signs together, and prepare for your own postnatal check and your baby's 6-week check.

   • Red flags for baby and mum
   • Preparing for your postnatal check
   • Your baby's 6-week check and what comes next

   Baby and Mum Red-Flag Checker6-Week Postnatal Check Prep SheetFirst 6 Weeks: Week-by-Week Checklist

• ListFirst 6 Weeks: Week-by-Week ChecklistTick off the checks, appointments and everyday jobs for each stage of your baby's first 6 weeks, so nothing important is missed.
• TrackerFeed, Nappy and Sleep LogRecord your baby's feeds, nappies and sleep each day, plus how you are sleeping and feeling, to spot patterns and share them with your LMC midwife or Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse.
• Template6-Week Postnatal Check Prep SheetPrepare for your own postnatal check with your GP or LMC midwife, so you cover your physical recovery, feelings, contraception and questions in a short appointment.
• CheckerBaby and Mum Red-Flag CheckerTick any signs you notice in your baby or yourself to see quickly whether to call 111, get same-day advice, or mention it at your next contact.
• TemplateVisitors PlanDecide who visits, when and for how long, and what helpful jobs visitors can do, so the early weeks protect your rest, feeding and recovery.