What It Means
A newborn is a baby in the first 28 days after birth. The World Health Organization uses that 28-day line for the newborn period, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) uses the same cutoff for what doctors call the neonatal period. Those four weeks bring frequent feeds, short and scattered sleep, and a first checkup within days of going home.
Try It: A First-Week Newborn Safety Checklist
Tick what's in place. Each item comes from AAP or NHTSA guidance for a baby's first weeks.
All six are in place. Keep the pediatrician's number where every caregiver can find it.
Aim to tick every item during the baby's first days at home.
How Parents Say It
- "She's only nine days old."
- "We're still in the newborn fog."
- "He wants to eat every two hours, day and night."
The Breakdown
The first 28 days at a glance
| When | What to expect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to day 28 | The newborn, or neonatal, period | WHO; AAP |
| Days 3 to 5 | First checkup, or within 48 to 72 hours of going home | AAP and Bright Futures |
| Around the clock | About 16 to 17 hours of sleep a day, often 1 to 2 hours at a stretch | HealthyChildren.org |
| Around the clock | A feed about every 2 to 3 hours, though healthy patterns vary | HealthyChildren.org |
| Every sleep | On the back, on a firm, flat surface with only a fitted sheet | AAP, 2022 policy |
| Every car ride | A rear-facing seat in the back seat | NHTSA |
When to call the pediatrician
- A reading of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or above in a baby under 3 months. HealthyChildren.org says to call and to hold off on any fever medicine until a doctor has seen the baby.
- Worries about feeding, weight loss or yellowing skin. Jaundice, feeding trouble and too much weight loss are among the first-week problems the AAP times its early checkup to catch, so call rather than wait for the appointment.
- Anything else about your baby that doesn't feel right to you.
Before the first checkup. For a day or two, jot down feeds, wet and dirty diapers, and sleep. You'll have real numbers ready when the pediatrician asks how feeding is going.
Good to Know
The AAP's 2022 safe sleepSafe sleepThe AAP's rules for lowering the risk of SIDS and suffocation: baby on the back, alone, on a firm flat surface in their own sleep space, every sleep. See more policy asks for the back position, a firm, flat surface that isn't inclined, and nothing in the sleep space except a fitted sheet, so no pillows, blankets or bumper pads. It also recommends keeping the baby's own sleep surface in the parents' room, ideally until at least 6 months of age, and says sharing a room this way can cut SIDS risk by up to 50%. For the car, NHTSA says a child under 1 should always ride rear-facing, with infant seats installed in the back seat. HealthyChildren.org notes that babies don't settle into regular sleep cycles until about 6 months, so short, scattered sleep in the first month is expected.
FAQ
How long is a baby considered a newborn?
For the first 28 days of life. The World Health Organization and the AAP both use 28 days as the end of the newborn, or neonatal, period.
How long can a newborn stay awake between sleeps?
Usually only a short while. Cleveland Clinic puts a typical newborn wake windowWake windowThe stretch of time a baby stays awake between one sleep and the next, often used as a rough guide to when the next nap is due. See more at 30 to 60 minutes. Watch for sleepy signs such as yawning, rubbing eyes, staring off or moving less, and treat the number as a rough guide.
When is a newborn's first doctor visit?
The AAP and Bright Futures recommend a visit at 3 to 5 days old, or 48 to 72 hours after the baby leaves the hospital. The pediatrician checks weight, feeding and jaundice, and reviews the newborn screening results.
Do It in Buhata
Calendar and Reminders
Add the 3 to 5 day checkup to the Calendar in your Household Space and set a Reminder for the day before, so everyone caring for the baby sees it.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Safe sleep
The AAP's rules for lowering the risk of SIDS and suffocation: baby on the back, alone, on a firm flat surface in their own sleep space, every sleep.
- Room sharing
Having a baby sleep in the parents' room in their own crib, bassinet or play yard. The AAP advises it for at least the first 6 months, without bed-sharing.
- Cluster feeding
When a baby wants several feeds close together over a few hours, often in the evening, instead of feeding at spaced-out times.
Sources
World Health Organization, "Newborn health"; American Academy of Pediatrics, "Neonatal Is the First 28 Days of Life," Pediatrics; HealthyChildren.org (AAP), baby sleep pages; HealthyChildren.org, "How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?"; AAP, "First Office Visit, 3-5 Days"; HealthyChildren.org, "Fever: When to Call the Pediatrician"; HealthyChildren.org, "How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained"; NHTSA, "Car Seat and Booster Seat Safety"; Cleveland Clinic, "Wake Windows by Age"
- www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/newborn-health
- publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/55/4/571/46496/Neonatal-Is-the-First-28-Days-of-Life
- www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/default.aspx
- www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/how-often-and-how-much-should-your-baby-eat.aspx
- www.aap.org/en/patient-care/newborn-and-infant-nutrition/newborn-and-infant-health-assessment-and-promotion/first-office-visit-3-5-days
- www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/When-to-Call-the-Pediatrician.aspx
- www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx
- www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats
- health.clevelandclinic.org/wake-windows-by-age
Last updated .