Fresh out of labor or a C Section can leave you a complex mix of social, psychological and physical changes. Your hormones are all over the place, and you might not be feeling or living the same life you imagined when the baby was unborn.

However, it helps when you know what to expect those few days when you arrive home with your bundle of joy that will make your life memorable, no matter what you feel now.

What you may be feeling:

Tired and sleep deprived are the first things that spring to mind. No one ever tells you life with new born babies can be so overwhelming. With people around you returning to their lives, you may find yourself at your wits end trying to find enough time even to bathe. You are not the only one. Every new mother struggles to get through the day, trying to understand her new born, tend to her needs and get things done around the house.

The first thing that will lessen your struggle is downsizing your priorities around the house. Let the laundry pile if you don’t find enough time or energy to do it. Go out with your new born once a day. The fresh air is good for you and the baby.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. That’s the mantra that has gotten many a new mothers across the shore safely. Don’t try to work when the baby is napping, no matter how tempting it is. And finally, remember, you will get there eventually. You will learn your way around the baby and as she grows, her schedule will get more predictable.

What to expect: A new born baby’s poop schedule

New born babies poop schedule varies widely, with some pooping as many as 8 times a day to once every alternate day. Breast fed infants tend to poop more than formula fed ones because formula takes more time to digest than breast milk. The point is to remember that each baby will follow its own schedule and there is no need to worry about excessive pooping or lack thereof.

The first few poops will have tar like consistency, owing to the meconium being passed out of her system. Other times, the consistency and color can vary from being grainy, liquid, dark, yellow, green or brown.

Caring for the Umbilical Cord

Until your baby’s umbilical stump falls off, remember to fold the diaper below her navel. The navel should be dry. Only sponge bathe those first few weeks till the stump falls off. Do call your pediatrician if the stump oozes pus, blood, a bad odor or is painful to touch. It usually indicates an infection