The First Four Weeks: What Really Matters in the Newborn Stage

This one goes out to all my new moms who are wondering what to expect during those first weeks with a brand-new baby. I’ve been there—unsure of what to do, exhausted, and overwhelmed, trying to take care of this tiny little human I already loved so deeply.

Newborn baby that sleeps all day and is awake all night

No one really told me what to expect around sleep. And when they did offer advice? It was often confusing and completely contradictory.

"Let the baby sleep in the living room with lots of noise!"

"Don’t feed him to sleep!"

"Don’t hold the baby to sleep!"

...and the list went on and on.

With my second baby—and after years of studying baby sleep—I now understand what’s truly important in those early weeks. And that’s what I want to share with you: expectations grounded in science, developmentally appropriate milestones, and lots of grace. No myths, just facts.

This is the first blog post in a new series I’ll be posting every month, giving you a better understanding of what to expect at each stage of your baby’s sleep journey.

Also, if you want to dive deeper, I’d love to invite you to my Newborn Sleep Webinar, where we go into all of this in more detail and answer your specific questions!

What Really Matters in the First Four Weeks

The first four weeks after your baby is born are such a tender, powerful time. You’re recovering—physically, emotionally, and mentally—from pregnancy and birth. You’re learning to care for a tiny new human who depends on you for everything.

And in the middle of it all, you’re becoming a mom (or a mom again), adjusting to new family dynamics, and navigating this brand new season with your partner.

It’s no wonder this time can feel overwhelming. Sometimes we’re so focused on “doing things right” that we forget to honor what our body just went through. We forget to slow down, tune in, and simply be with our baby.

Let’s change that.

The first month isn’t about routines or teaching your baby to sleep. It’s about healing, bonding, and surviving one day (and night) at a time. It’s about getting to know your baby—their likes and dislikes, how they communicate, what helps them settle. It’s about getting to know yourself in this new role and discovering your own rhythm as a parent.

So what does newborn sleep look like?

Here’s the truth: it’s going to be a little chaotic—and that’s perfectly normal.

💤 Your baby will sleep most of the day (think 14–17 hours or more in a 24-hour period).

⏳ Awake time will be short—just 15 to 60 minutes between naps.

🤱 They’ll need lots of support to fall asleep. That means holding, rocking, feeding, cuddling—all the things.

🌙 A dark room and white noise can be helpful cues at night to support longer stretches of sleep.

And here’s what you don’t need to worry about right now:

🚫 Bad habits – Hold your baby as much as you want. There’s no such thing as “spoiling” a newborn.

🚫 Sleep training – You're months away from that. Your only job right now is to respond with love.

🚫 Sleeping through the night – Not happening yet, and that’s okay. Frequent wakings are expected and healthy.

🚫 Nap schedules – Naps will be all over the place. Think of this phase as “sleep whenever, however.”

Be gentle with yourself. Be patient with this season. Let go of the pressure to have it all figured out, and instead lean into the beauty of the moment—messy, exhausting, and full of love.

You're doing amazing. 💛

If you are a soon-to-be mom wondering what products can help you support your baby's sleep, let me help! Here is a baby checklist: click here.