Understanding your baby

Every baby is different and you will get to know what is normal for your baby over the first few weeks. Young babies have small stomachs and a strong need for breastmilk or infant formula as well as comfort.  Feeding frequently, including at night and during periods of cluster feeding, is normal infant behaviour. 

Most babies: 

• feed frequently, with some babies feeding very often, particularly in the first weeks and during growth spurts 
• need feeds during both the day and night 
• do not always feed at regular intervals and may have periods when they want to feed more often, including cluster feeding 
• do not need any additional fluid to stay hydrated. Water is not recommended for babies under six months of age.

Signs your baby is ready for a feed include: 

• turning their head from side to side (rooting) 
• bringing their hands to their mouth 
• sucking on their hands or fingers 
• becoming restless or looking for the breast or bottle 
• crying, which is usually a late hunger cue.

Signs your baby may be full include: 

• slowing or stopping sucking 
• releasing the breast or bottle 
• turning their head away 
• relaxing their hands and feet 
• falling asleep.

Cluster feeding, where babies feed frequently over a short period, is common and helps support your baby's growth and milk production. Even short feeds can still remove most of the milk from the breast but helps your baby to conserve energy, especially if they're unwell.  

If you have concerns about your baby's feeding, speak with your Maternal and Child Health Nurse, midwife, lactation consultant or healthcare provider. 

Learn more

Feeding cues | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Choosing how to feed

Feeding challenges

Support for feeding

Burping and wind

Burping is a normal way for babies to release swallowed air. 

Babies can also pass wind through their bottom. 

There is no strong evidence that routine burping reduces crying, colic, or reflux, but it is safe to try if it helps your baby. 

You can try: 

• pausing during feeds for a burp 
• holding your baby upright after feeds 
• using paced bottle feeding if bottle feeding 
• ensuring a good latch during breastfeeding.

If you have any concerns about your baby and their feeding, you can always seek advice through your MCH nurse, the 24 hour MCH line, or your GP. 

Learn more

Burping and wind in babies | Pregnancy, Birth and Baby

Posseting, vomiting and reflux 

Reflux occurs when milk comes back up from the stomach into the food pipe or mouth. Because the muscle at the top of a baby's stomach is still developing, small spills of milk (often called posseting or spitting up) are very common in young babies. 

Babies who posset are usually feeding well, growing well and are otherwise healthy. Posseting often improves as babies get older and their digestive system matures. 

Vomiting is different from posseting. Vomiting usually involves bringing up a larger amount of milk or stomach contents with more force. While vomiting is often caused by a minor illness, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. 

Signs of normal posseting:

• Small amounts of milk come out during or after a feed.
• No force or effort is involved.
• Your baby is generally happy and settled.
• Your baby is feeding and growing well.
• It improves as your baby gets older.

What may help:

• Follow your baby's feeding cues.
• Avoid overfeeding where possible.
• Pause during feeds to burp your baby if needed.
• Hold your baby upright during and after feeds.
• Always place your baby on their back for sleep.

Signs of vomiting:

• More forceful than posseting.
• Larger amounts of milk or stomach contents.
• Occurs repeatedly.
• Your baby appears distressed or unwell.
• Feeding or weight gain may be affected.

If your baby is vomiting, you should: 

• continue breastfeeding or offering their usual formula unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional
• monitor wet nappies and signs of dehydration
• observe your baby's feeding, behaviour and alertness
• seek medical advice if vomiting persists or you are concerned.

If you have concerns about your baby's feeding, reflux, posseting or vomiting, speak with your Maternal and Child Health Nurse, midwife, GP or healthcare provider. 

Learn more

Gastro-oesophageal reflux & GORD 0-2 years | Raising Children Network 

Wet and dirty nappies can tell you a lot about your baby's hydration and feeding. 

Wet nappies

After the first week, most babies have 6 to 8 wet nappies every 24 hours.

Urine should be pale in colour.

If babies are feeding less or unwell, wet nappies may be lighter or less frequent.

You should seek medical advice if you are concerned or your baby is weeing less than half their normal amount.  

Dirty nappies 

• Your baby's first poo, called meconium, is usually thick, sticky, and dark green or black.
• During the first week of life, your baby's poo will gradually change in colour and consistency.
• Breastfed babies may poo after every feed or they may go several days between poos. Some healthy breastfed babies can go up to 1 to 2 weeks without a poo.
• Formula-fed babies often poo less frequently than breastfed babies.
• Your baby's poo should generally be soft and easy to pass.

If you are concerned about your baby's feeding, hydration or nappy output, speak with your Maternal and Child Health Nurse, GP or healthcare provider.

Learn more 

Poo & wee: what to expect in babies | Raising Children Network 

Baby poo – what's normal? | Australian Breastfeeding Association 

Baby poo colour chart | Pregnancy, Birth and Baby 

Feeds and nappies in the first week | Australian Breastfeeding Association

Sleep is an important part of your baby's growth and development. In the first few months, babies need help to feel safe, settled and comfortable as they learn to sleep outside the uterus and adjust to their new world.

Sleep (per 24 hours)

It is important to remember that babies have not yet developed a day-night rhythm and often have wakeful periods during the day and night.  

Most newborns are asleep more than they are awake in a 24 hour period.

• Newborns will wake several times overnight to feed.
• Short naps can be normal.
• Your baby will show cues to tell you they’re tired.
• Early tired signs include yawning, staring into the distance, lose interest in faces, voices or play, looking away and being less interactive, red eyebrows.
• Early tired signs are the optimal time to put your baby down for a sleep.
• Overtired signs include fussing or grizzling, crying, jerky arm and leg movements, arching back and becoming more difficult to settle.

Learn more

Baby cues: how to know what babies want | Raising Children Network

Settling your baby 

Your baby relies on you for comfort, regulation and reassurance. Babies are also very good at picking up on subtle body language from their carers. It is normal for babies to need a lot of help to settle especially in the first few weeks as they adjust to life outside of the uterus. 

Babies may cry because they are hungry, tired, uncomfortable, overstimulated, unwell or simply need comfort and connection. Sometimes babies cry even when all their physical needs have been met. Crying is normal and your baby's main way of communicating, providing comfort is never a bad habit. 

Responding to your baby's crying with warmth, patience and consistency helps them feel safe and supported. Many parents worry about getting routines ‘right’, but in these early weeks, responding to your baby’s need is more important than following a strict schedule.  

The most effective settling starts with responding to your baby's cues early. Look for signs that your baby may be: 

• hungry 
• tired 
• overstimulated 
• needing comfort or closeness.

Some ways to help settle your baby include: 

• holding and cuddling your baby 
• skin-to-skin contact 
• feeding when hungry 
• gentle rocking, walking or swaying 
• talking or singing softly 
• reducing noise, light and stimulation 
• offering a calm, predictable environment.

There is no single settling technique that works for every baby, every time. Knowing a range of ways to settle your baby will help if one or more of your usual techniques aren’t working.   

Many babies go through a normal stage when crying increases and babies are harder to settle. This often peaks around 6-8 weeks of age before improving. This is normal newborn behaviour and does not mean there is something wrong with your baby or your parenting. 

Looking after yourself

Caring for a crying baby can be exhausting. 

If you feel overwhelmed or frustrated: 

• Take a break. Put your baby safely on their back in their cot, leave the room and take a few moments to calm yourself. 
• Call a partner, friend or family member to take over for a short while. 
• Never shake your baby. Shaking a baby can cause severe and permanent brain injury or death. 

It is never okay to shake a baby. If you are finding your baby's crying difficult to cope with, seek support from a trusted family member, friend, MCH nurse or healthcare professional.  

Learn more

Newborn Crying | What To Do When Baby Won't Stop Crying | Tresillian

Dummies and sucking

A dummy can help some babies feel calm and settled. Using a dummy during sleep has been linked to a lower risk of SUDI but long-term use may increase the risk of ear infections and dental problems. 

If you are breastfeeding, wait until feeding is well established before introducing a dummy. 

If you choose to use a dummy: 

• Do not use it to delay or replace a feed. 
• Some babies may become dependent on a dummy to settle or sleep.
• Long-term use may increase the risk of ear infections and dental problems. 
• If your baby does not want a dummy, there is no need to force them to use one. 
• If the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep, you do not need to put it back in.

Consider the benefits and risks of dummy use and choose what works best for you and your baby. 

Learn more

Dummies: advantages, disadvantages & tips | Raising Children Network 

Using A Dummy Safely | Red Nose Australia 

Dummies and comforters | Pregnancy, Birth and Baby 

Baby Dummies and Pacifiers | Newborn Dummy | Tresillian

Tummy time is when your baby spends time on their tummy while awake, settled and supervised. You can start tummy time from birth for short periods and gradually increase the time as your baby grows. For newborns, 1 to 2 minutes at a time, several times a day, is a good starting point. 

Tummy time helps your baby: 

• build neck, shoulder and upper body strength 
• develop skills needed for rolling, sitting and crawling 
• learn to lift and turn their head 
• reduce the risk of developing a flat spot on the back of the head.

You can do tummy time by: 

• placing your baby on your chest while you recline 
• laying your baby across your lap 
• placing your baby on a firm blanket or play mat on the floor 
• getting down to your baby's eye level and talking, singing or smiling at them.

Many babies do not enjoy tummy time at first. This is normal. Short, frequent sessions are often easier than one long session. Always supervise your baby during tummy time. 

Learn more

Tummy time for babies: in pictures | Raising Children Network 

Tummy time | Pregnancy, Birth and Baby 

Tummy time for your baby | Kids Health Info