BC Guide: What to expect with a Newborn and How Postpartum Doula Can Help

Bringing a newborn home is one of life’s most exciting experiences. You love your baby more than anything, but newborns can feel completely alien at first. Their tiny bodies, unusual features, and endless cries can leave new parents wondering what is normal and what requires medical attention.

As a postpartum doula in the Lower Mainland, BC, I often reassure families that most newborn changes are temporary and harmless. Here’s a guide to what you can expect in the first weeks of life.

Newborn, Infant, or Toddler: Understanding the Terms

It helps to know the terminology when discussing your baby’s development:

• Newborn: Refers to a baby under 28 days old, although most Canadians use the term for babies up to 2 or 3 months.

• Infant: Covers babies from birth up to 12 months old.

• Toddler: From one year to about three years of age.

  
  

If your baby was born prematurely, their development may be slightly behind that of full-term babies. A baby born two months early may reach milestones later than a full-term baby of the same age. Your family doctor will monitor development and can guide you on what to expect.

What Your Newborn May Look Like

Newborns often have features that can surprise you, but most are completely normal.

Umbilical Cord Stump

After birth, your baby’s umbilical cord will be cut, leaving a small stump. Keep it clean and dry until it falls off naturally, usually within 10 to 14 days. Do not try to remove it yourself, as this could cause infection.

Body Hair

Many newborns are covered in fine hair called lanugo. You might notice it on the shoulders, back, or ears. This hair protects your baby in the womb and usually sheds within the first week. It also helps the skin retain vernix, a protective white coating that is washed off after birth.

Skin Conditions

Newborn skin isn’t always perfectly smooth. Some common issues include:

• Flaky or peeling skin: Especially common in full-term babies. If it persists, ask your doctor about eczema or other causes.

• Cradle cap: Yellowish, scaly patches on the scalp that are usually harmless and clear up within a few months.

• Baby acne: Small red bumps that appear a few weeks after birth and disappear on their own. Don't pick at the acne - it is hard to resist.

  
  

Head Shape and Swelling

It’s normal for newborn heads to appear lumpy or elongated. This can result from pressure in the birth canal or rubbing against the mother’s pelvis. Most swelling decreases within a few days, though some bumps can take a few months to resolve.

Eyes and Vision

Newborns may have red spots in their eyes due to broken blood vessels during birth. This typically clears in two to three weeks. Their eyesight is blurry at first, but they can detect movement and high-contrast objects. By two or three months, they can focus and track objects with their eyes.

Mouth and Reflexes

Many newborns have tiny cysts called Epstein pearls in their mouths. These harmless bumps disappear within a few weeks. Newborns also have reflexes that support feeding and protection:

• Rooting reflex: Turns the head toward anything that touches the cheek.

• Sucking reflex: Instinctive sucking when the mouth is touched.

• Moro reflex: Startle reflex where arms and legs fling out and curl in.

• Grasping reflex: Fingers close around objects placed in the palm.

• Stepping reflex: Legs move in stepping motions when held upright.

• Tonic neck reflex: When lying on their back, turning the head causes one arm to straighten and the other to bend.

  
  

Genitals and Chest

Your baby’s genitals and chest may also look different than you expect:

• Swollen genitals: Baby boys may have enlarged scrotums; baby girls may have swelling of the hymen. Both are usually temporary.

  
  

• Vaginal discharge: Baby girls may have white or pink discharge in the first week.

  
  

• Swollen breasts: Both boys and girls can have slightly enlarged breasts for two to four weeks due to maternal hormones.

  
  

• Undescended testicles: In some boys, one or both testicles may not descend at birth. Most resolve naturally, but some may require surgery later.

  
  

  

Understanding Your Baby’s Behaviour

Newborns develop at different rates, but there are general patterns in behaviour, sleep, and communication:

• Crying: Newborns cry for hunger, tiredness, temperature changes, discomfort, or even just to communicate. Some babies cry for several hours a day.

• Sleep: Newborns sleep in short stretches, 20 minutes to 4 hours at a time, for 14 to 16 hours a day. Their internal clock develops gradually.

• Hearing: Babies recognize voices and respond to familiar tones. Talking, singing, and reading to your newborn helps with bonding and language development.

• Movement: Babies spend their first weeks in a fetal position with flexed arms and legs. Movements gradually become more controlled as they grow.

• Breathing: Irregular breathing is normal, but prolonged pauses or blue lips should be evaluated by a doctor immediately.

  
  

How a Postpartum Doula Can Help with Newborn Care

Adjusting to life with a newborn can be overwhelming. A postpartum doula can help with Newborn care by providing guidance, reassurance, and practical support during these early weeks. Doulas can:

• Teach parents how to handle newborn behaviours and reflexes.

• Help with feeding, sleep routines, and soothing techniques.

• Offer emotional support and encouragement.

• Monitor your baby’s physical and behavioural development and know when to contact your healthcare provider.

  
  

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Even though most newborn changes are normal, always consult your midwife or doctor if you notice:

• Persistent or worsening swelling or rashes.

• Excessive or unusual crying.

• Breathing difficulties or colour changes.

• Signs of infection, such as pus or foul smell from the umbilical cord stump.

Every newborn is unique, and while the first weeks can feel overwhelming, they are also full of joy, discovery, and bonding. With the right support—from your healthcare team, family, and a caring postpartum doula—you can navigate these early days with confidence and calm. Trust your instincts, celebrate the small milestones, and enjoy the incredible journey of watching your little one grow.