The first few weeks with a newborn can feel magical, but also overwhelming. Babies don’t come with a manual, so for many first time parents, the newborn stage is a huge learning curve.
That’s where practical parenting advice from experienced professionals can make a real difference. We asked our resident parenting expert, Norland Nanny and maternity nurse Louenna Hood BEM, for her top parenting tips to survive the newborn stage.
Louenna shares 9 tips that can:
• help reduce parent exhaustion
• support your baby’s routine
• give parents confidence in their parenting skills
1. New parents should accept help from family or friends
Accepting help during the newborn stage can significantly reduce parent exhaustion and support recovery after birth. Many first time parents feel pressure to do everything themselves, but support is one of the most valuable parenting tools.
Louenna encourages parents to say yes when help is offered.
Simple ways family and friends can support new parents after birth:
• Cooking a meal
• Doing laundry
• Holding the baby while you shower
• Picking up groceries or essentials
• Helping with older siblings
Louenna often reminds families that parenting was never meant to be done alone. Accepting help strengthens your support system and creates space for rest and bonding with your baby.
2. Follow a gentle routine with a newborn baby
A relaxed newborn routine helps babies feel secure and allows parents to anticipate their baby’s needs. Structure doesn’t need to be rigid, but a predictable flow can make parenting feel calmer and more manageable.
Louenna’s simple newborn routine looks like for first-time parents:
1. Feed
2. Change
3. Settle for sleep
Repeating this gentle rhythm helps babies understand what comes next.
Benefits of a newborn routine include:
• Reducing parent anxiety
• Helping babies settle more easily
• Supporting early sleep patterns
• Building confidence in parenting skills
For new parents, routines can bring a sense of calm to the often unpredictable early weeks. Just remember that all babies are different and their patterns and needs evolve weekly at this stage. Look for hunger and sleep cues to help you predict feeding and sleep needs.
For more tips on navigating the newborn stage check out our other blog article here.
3. Save time and stress by preparing freezer meals before your baby arrives
Preparing meals before your baby arrives can help reduce stress and save time during the newborn stage. When you’re adjusting to being a parent, cooking dinner is often the last thing on your mind.
Louenna suggests planning ahead during pregnancy.
Easy freezer meal ideas to prepare before your baby arrives:
• Lasagne or pasta bakes
• Soups and stews
• Cottage pie
• Curries or chilli
• Healthy traybakes
Having nutritious meals ready to heat means new parents can focus on rest and caring for their baby.
4. Aim to get outside every day, fresh air is good for newborn babies and new parents
Fresh air can support both baby’s development and parental wellbeing. Even a short daily walk can help reduce parental anxiety, boost mood and encourage healthy sleep patterns.
Louenna recommends making outdoor time part of your daily routine.
Why fresh air is good for newborn babies and new parents:
• Improves mood and mental wellbeing
• Helps regulate a baby’s developing body clock
• Encourages gentle exercise for parents
• Provides a change of environment
For first time parents, stepping outside can also help break up long days at home.
Even a 10-minute pram walk can provide a welcome reset.
5. White noise and swaddling can help newborn babies sleep better
White noise and swaddling can help newborns feel secure and settle more easily for sleep. These techniques recreate aspects of the womb environment that babies find comforting.
Louenna recommends using these cues consistently.
Simple newborn sleep tips that help babies settle faster:
• White noise machines or apps
• A safe newborn swaddle
• A calm bedtime routine
• Dimming lights before sleep
When used regularly, these cues can become strong sleep signals.
For new parents, building positive sleep associations early can help support healthy sleep habits and reduce parent exhaustion.
To learn more about parental exhaustion, with some key coping strategies from therapist Sophie Harris head to our blog here.
6. Multiple nappy-changing stations make newborn care easier
Having multiple nappy-changing areas can save time and energy during the newborn stage. Babies need frequent nappy changes, and running around the house every time can quickly add to parental exhaustion.
Louenna suggests setting up simple changing stations on each level of your home.
What to include in a newborn nappy-changing station:
• Nappies
• Baby wipes
• Nappy rash cream
• Nappy sacks
• Spare baby clothes
• Hand steriliser
This small adjustment can make everyday parenting tasks much easier.
7. Don’t feel guilty about limiting visitors
Setting boundaries with visitors can help parents recover and bond with their baby during the early weeks. While friends and family may be excited to meet your baby, the newborn stage is also a time for rest and adjustment.
Louenna reassures families that it’s perfectly acceptable to limit visits.
Why limiting visitors can benefit both baby and parents:
• Encourages postpartum recovery and rest for mum
• Allows time to focus on establishing feeding routines
• Reduces overstimulation for baby
• Allows quiet bonding time as a family
For many parents, protecting this time helps build confidence in their parenting style and reduces unnecessary stress.
8. Keep baby essentials nearby for easier feeding sessions
Having baby essentials nearby makes feeding and settling much easier. Once you sit down with a newborn, getting up repeatedly can quickly become exhausting.
Louenna recommends creating a “feeding station”.
What to include in your newborn feeding station:
• Nappies
• Wipes
• Muslins
• Water bottle
• Healthy snacks
• Phone charger
This simple setup can make long feeding sessions much more comfortable for new parents.
It’s one of the easiest ways to support everyday parenting skills.
9. Don’t worry about housework during the newborn stage
During the newborn stage, caring for your baby matters far more than maintaining a perfect home. Many first time parents feel pressure to keep everything tidy, but this can quickly lead to parent exhaustion.
Louenna encourages parents to focus on what truly matters.
Priorities during the newborn stage should be:
• Feeding your baby
• Getting as much rest as possible
• Supporting your recovery
• Bonding as a family
Laundry, dishes and clutter can wait.
As Louenna often tells families, a rested parent and a fed baby are far more important than a spotless house.
Supporting parents through the newborn stage
The newborn stage can be intense, especially for first time parents learning new parenting skills. But with simple routines, support networks and realistic expectations, those early weeks can become much more manageable.
For parents to be and new parents, remember that you don’t need to have everything figured out. Parenting is a journey and you’ll find what works for you, in your own time.
