First Weeks Checklist for New Parents

What to Track Daily

Wet and dirty diapers, feeding times, and sleep stretches are the easiest early signals that things are on track.

Weight checks at scheduled newborn visits confirm growth is progressing well.

Cluster feeding in the evenings, irregular sleep, and some weight loss in the first few days (regained by about 2 weeks) are all typical.

Newborns often sneeze, hiccup, and have irregular breathing patterns that are usually harmless.

Line up help for meals, errands, and overnight stretches where possible — recovery and adjustment take real time.

Know who to call: your pediatric clinic’s after-hours line and local emergency services.

Fever in a baby under 3 months, poor feeding, very few wet diapers, or a baby who is unusually difficult to wake all warrant a call.

How many wet diapers is normal?

By about day 5–6, most newborns have 6 or more wet diapers a day.

Is newborn weight loss normal?

Losing up to about 7–10% of birth weight in the first days is common, with recovery by around 2 weeks.

When is the first checkup?

Schedules vary, but many clinics see newborns within the first few days and again around 2 weeks.

What if I’m overwhelmed?

This is common and worth talking about — postpartum support from your clinician is available and important.