Newborn Basics (0-3 Months)

The first 12 weeks are a blur of feeding, changing, soothing, and wondering if everything is normal. Spoiler: most of it is. This lesson gives you the AI-powered tools to track what matters, troubleshoot common problems, and build a newborn survival guide tailored to your baby.

The Newborn Survival Guide Prompt

Help me create a newborn survival guide for my [age]-old baby:

Current situation:
- Feeding: [breastfeeding / formula / combo]
- Sleep: [describe current pattern]
- Biggest challenge right now: [describe]

Create a guide that includes:
1. Normal expectations for this exact age (feeding frequency, sleep amounts,
   diaper output, behavior)
2. A daily routine template (not rigid schedule — flexible rhythm)
3. Troubleshooting guide for the top 5 newborn issues
4. Red flags that mean "call the pediatrician"
5. Things that seem alarming but are actually normal

Format it as a quick-reference sheet I can check at 3 AM with one eye open.

What’s Normal (and What’s Not)

✅ Quick Check: Your newborn sneezes 8 times in a row. Normal or concerning? (Answer: Completely normal. Newborns sneeze frequently to clear their tiny nasal passages. Sneezing alone — without fever, difficulty breathing, or nasal discharge — is not a sign of illness.)

Building Your Feeding Log

Create a feeding tracking template for my [breastfed/formula-fed/combo]
newborn. Include:

1. Time started / time ended
2. Which side (if breastfeeding) or amount (if bottle)
3. Baby's cues before feeding (rooting, hand-to-mouth, fussing, crying)
4. Diaper output after feeding
5. Notes column for anything unusual

Also include:
- Target number of feeds per 24 hours for a [age] baby
- Warning signs of inadequate intake
- When cluster feeding is normal vs. concerning

Format as a simple table I can fill in on my phone.

Feeding quick reference by age:

The 5 S’s Soothing System

When baby is fed, clean, and still fussy, work through these systematically:

My [age]-old baby is crying and I've checked: diaper, hunger, temperature,
and gas. Walk me through a systematic soothing plan using the 5 S's method,
including:
1. How to do each technique safely
2. How long to try each before moving to the next
3. Combinations that often work together
4. When to stop and call the pediatrician instead

✅ Quick Check: You’ve been holding your crying baby for 45 minutes and nothing is working. You feel frustrated and overwhelmed. What’s the safest next step? (Answer: Put baby down in a safe sleep space — crib or bassinet, on their back — and step away for 5-10 minutes to collect yourself. A baby crying safely in a crib is better than a frustrated parent holding a baby. Call a partner, family member, or friend for relief. If you ever feel like you might shake or harm the baby, put them down immediately and call the National Parent Helpline: 1-855-427-2736.)

Key Takeaways

• Newborns eat every 2-3 hours around the clock — cluster feeding in the evening is normal and doesn’t mean your milk supply is inadequate
• Track diaper output as the primary indicator of adequate feeding: 6+ wet diapers and 3-4 stools daily after the first week
• The 5 S’s (Swaddle, Side, Shush, Swing, Suck) are evidence-based soothing techniques that mimic the womb environment
• A fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months is always a medical emergency — call your pediatrician immediately
• It’s always okay to put a crying baby down in a safe space and take a break when you’re overwhelmed

Up Next

In the next lesson, you’ll tackle the topic every new parent obsesses over: sleep. You’ll build a personalized sleep plan that adapts as baby grows, learn about wake windows, and understand when and how sleep training can help.