What to Expect in Your Baby’s First Month: A Pediatrician’s Guide

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Bringing home your newborn is one of life’s most exciting moments—but also one of the most confusing. At Park Pediatrics, we proudly support families from Frederick to Gaithersburg, Germantown, Takoma Park, Greenbelt, and all throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s County during this special (and often overwhelming) time!

If you’re wondering what’s normal during your baby’s first month, here are some answers from our Gaithersburg MD, Greenbelt MD, and Takoma Park MD pediatricians.

Sleep: What’s Normal?

Newborns sleep a lot—up to 16–18 hours a day—but in short stretches of 2–4 hours. This is totally normal. Don’t expect long nighttime sleep yet!

At Park Pediatrics, we emphasize safe sleep to all families in Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Prince George’s County: always put your baby on their back in a crib with a firm mattress and no loose bedding or toys.

Poop Patterns 101

The first few days bring meconium—a thick, dark, tar-like poop. By day 4 or 5, it transitions to mustard yellow and seedy (if breastfeeding). Formula-fed babies may have fewer, thicker stools.

Parents often ask: “How often should my baby poop?” It varies! But white, red, or hard pellet-like stools are not normal—call us if you notice these.

When to Call Your Pediatrician at Park Pediatrics:

Call your doctor right away if your newborn:

Has a fever over 100.4°F
Is very sleepy or hard to wake
Isn’t feeding well
Has blue lips or skin
Has fewer than 3 wet diapers in a day

Early care makes a difference. Our Park Pediatrics team is trusted by families in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt, Takoma Park, Hyattsville and beyond for newborn visits and urgent concerns.