Your 2-Week-Old Baby

Whether time has flown by for you or snail-crawled hour by exhausted hour, you’ve officially gotten through the first two weeks of having a baby. This week, you’re still deep in the trenches of round-the-clock feedings, diaper changes and adjusting to life with a newborn, but things may be starting to feel a little less chaotic and a bit more like a routine. 

You’ve spent the past two weeks learning about your baby—and if some things are still a little weird or confusing (like how your baby keeps getting startled, or that their poop suddenly went from black to yellow), you’re in the right place. This week we’ll cover all those newborn oddities.

We’ll also dive a little deeper into the physical recovery from birth, how to make sure you’re taking care of your own basic needs and, if you’re breastfeeding or pumping, common side effects and how to treat them. And just like last week, Dr. Chris Klunk, board-certified neonatologist at Pediatrix Medical Group, and Dr. Faith Ohuoba, Houston-based ob-gyn, have some advice for week number two with your baby.

🚼 Baby’s Development

💪 Newborn Reflexes

Your baby was born with a handful of natural reflexes that help their brain and nervous system develop to work together. 

• Rooting reflex: This reflex helps your baby find where their food is. When you touch your baby’s cheek or the corner of their mouth, they’ll automatically turn their head toward the touch and open their mouth in search of food. As cute as it is, this reflex usually fades by the time baby is around four months old.

• Sucking reflex: Another reflex that helps with eating, it kicks in whenever something touches the roof of your baby’s mouth, like your nipple or a bottle. They’ll begin to suck automatically, whether the thing in their mouth is providing food or not. If you stick your finger in baby’s mouth, they’ll suck on that, too—even toys or small objects, which is why it’s important to know about common choking hazards for babies. While this reflex is typically strong in most babies, some preemies may need extra help with it.

• Moro reflex (startle reflex): You might notice your baby suddenly fling their arms and legs out, then pull them back in, often followed by crying. This reflex (although weird and maybe a little concerning) is totally normal and expected in babies under three to six months old. It’s usually triggered by loud noises, sudden movements or the sensation of falling—especially if you’re laying baby down for a nap. If you’re trying to keep the startle reflex to a minimum, we’ll explain further down how to do that with swaddling and a gentle put-down method.

• Palmar grasp reflex: If you place your finger in baby’s palm, they’ll close their fingers tightly around you. It’s a really sweet little gesture, and you’re welcome to tell yourself that your baby really does just want to hold your hand, but this reflex is totally involuntary (although doctors don’t know why exactly it happens). It’ll last until baby is about six months old—after that, any time they grasp your finger will actually be intentional.

• Tonic neck reflex (fencer’s pose): This reflex is thought to help with hand-eye coordination, but that doesn’t make it any less weird. If your baby turns their head to one side, you might notice that one arm stretches out straight while the opposite arm bends upward next to their head, like a little fencing pose. This one will stick around until baby is around seven months old.

• Stepping reflex: If you hold your baby upright with their feet touching a flat surface, they might start marching their feet like they’re trying to walk—but don’t panic, they’re still a long way from being able to stand or walk on their own. This reflex is a sign that their brain is telling their muscles to (eventually) prepare to walk, and baby will keep doing it for the first two months.

💩 Newborn Poop

Newborn poop is often a little surprising, but it’s also one of the best indicators of how your baby is doing in the early days. You might become the kind of person who sends poop pics to your pediatrician—and that’s totally normal.

By now, your baby’s poop has transitioned from sticky, tar-like meconium to lighter-colored, more peanut-butter-textured stools. If baby is drinking breast milk, expect mustard-colored, seedy poop (yes, it really does look like fancy Dijon with chia seeds). Formula-fed babies usually have tan, yellow-brown or even slightly greenish stools that are on the thicker side, but still not solid. (And heads up, no matter what color or consistency, newborn poop will stain clothes and cloth diapers.)

How often should your two-week-old poop? Just like with adults, it can vary, but pediatricians have general guidelines: "The rough rule for infant stooling is to expect about 1 per day for every day old they are," Dr. Klunk says. "This means two poops on day two, four poops on day four, and by the end of the first week of life they usually have a poopy every time they are due to eat again."

But don't stress if your baby doesn't follow that schedule. “Baby poop frequency is highly variable,” says Dr. Krupa Playforth, pediatrician and Babylist Health Advisory Board member. “Some babies poop eight times per day, while others poop once every few days. Believe it or not, both can be normal!” As long as your baby’s poop is soft and somewhere in the yellow-brown color spectrum, the frequency isn’t that big of a deal.

When to call your pediatrician: As strange as newborn poop can be, some consistencies and colors are worth investigating a little closer, in case they’re signs of tummy troubles. "Baby poop can come in a lovely kaleidoscope of greens, browns and yellows, but anything white, gray, black or bloody is reason for concern, as well as stool that is hard and dry or watery," Dr. Klunk says.

“Black, white or red poop can indicate underlying issues, such as blood in the stool or a liver problem,” Dr. Playforth says.

If your baby’s stool is hard, pellet-like or seems painful to pass, they may be constipated. While it’s rare in the first few weeks, constipation can happen—usually more in formula-fed babies. A baby who’s straining might also just need a little help to relax. Before giving your baby gas drops, gripe water or other medicine, check with your pediatrician; they may recommend that you try other techniques first:

• Bicycle their legs to encourage movement

• Tummy time—it’s not just for head and neck muscles

• Warm baths can help relax baby’s muscles and get things moving

• Try putting baby in a bouncer chair. No seriously, tons of parents say it works if your baby is struggling to poop, thanks to the semi-reclined position and gentle motion.

💡 Try This with Baby: Limiting the Startle Reflex

Earlier we mentioned the Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex. While it’s a good sign that baby’s nervous system is developing as it should, it can also jolt a sleeping baby awake, leaving both of you a little bleary-eyed and confused at 3 a.m.

You can’t prevent the reflex (nor should you—it’s an important developmental milestone), but you can help limit how disruptive it is. One of the easiest ways to do that is a good, snug swaddle that keeps baby’s arms close to their body, helping prevent those wild arm flails that lead to wakeups. 

You can also try laying your baby down slowly, keeping their body close to yours until their back is fully on their mattress. This can be tricky, and depending on your height might make your back muscles tense up, but the slow put-down method is an art form worth perfecting to help you and baby sleep better. And to help mask unexpected noises, keep a sound machine with white noise playing in baby’s sleep area.

💗 You, 2 Weeks After Baby

🧑‍⚕️ Your Physical Health

If you gave birth, you’re still in recovery, and you will be for another few weeks to come—but you may be starting to feel a little bit better, too. “You can expect for pain recovery to gradually continue to get better,” Dr. Faith says, “and swelling that you acquired from pregnancy may start to reduce in your legs and face.” If you are still experiencing some pain, Dr. Faith says you may want to discuss your pain relief options with your doctor, especially if you have concerns about certain pain medications may affect your baby if you’re breastfeeding.

If you had a C-section, you should still be keeping a close eye on your incision—Dr. Faith says to watch for signs of infection like fever, heavy bleeding, elevated blood pressure or redness, swelling or oozing on your incision. And don’t lift anything heavier than your baby. When it comes to keeping your incision clean, Dr. Faith recommends discussing soaps and cleansers with your ob-gyn, since some may cause irritation. Your doctor can also give you pointers on how to keep the incision dry.

Vaginal bleeding (called lochia) is still happening whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, but you may have noticed some changes now that you’re two weeks postpartum. Vaginal bleeding at two weeks postpartum should be lighter, Dr. Faith says. “If you’re soaking more than four pads in an hour, that’s considered heavy bleeding, and you need to communicate with your obgyn, since it could be a sign of a complication like retained placenta or infection.”

If you had a vaginal delivery that required an episiotomy or any stitches, that discomfort should also be feeling a little better, though don't expect 100% recovery down there just yet. It's okay if you're still using witch hazel, perineal numbing spray, a peri bottle or a donut—use them for as long as you need, and don't try to rush this part of recovery, or you may accidentally reopen the wound.

🧠 Your Mental Health

If you’re riding solo with baby and wondering how to do simple things like eat, shower or even just pee for 30 seconds, we get it. “Simple things like taking a shower may seem like a luxury,” Dr. Faith says. “I suggest that you couple your activities with when baby may be sleeping, and to also have baby monitors if you are alone.” 

If you need to take care of your needs while baby is awake, things may feel a little more complicated. Your baby may be a Stage 4 clinger, or maybe you’re the one who’s a little hesitant to let go. But trust us, it’s totally okay to plop baby in a bouncer, swing or playard nearby while you take five to 10 minutes to take care of your basic needs. Just make sure baby doesn't sleep in the bouncer or swing; if they nod off, transfer them to a safe sleep space immediately.

And if you have anyone in your village who you trust to watch your baby for a short time, use them! It’s absolutely okay (and even necessary, sometimes) to ask for help. It’s not just about baby’s needs; “hygiene, brushing your teeth and eating regularly are essential and should be treated as necessary habits as well,” Dr. Faith says. “Don’t underestimate the importance of self-care in this part of the newborn period. Like they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup.”

🧑‍🍼 Feeding Baby

Feeding is a full-time job right now, no matter how you're doing it.

🍼 Week 2 Feeding Guidelines

• Breastfed babies: Feed as often as they show hunger cues—this might mean every 1–3 hours.

• Formula-fed babies: Offer 2–3 ounces per feed, about 8–12 times per day.

😬 Breastfeeding Side Effects

Nursing and pumping can be a great bonding experience between you and your baby, but they can also come with common side effects that require a little extra care.

• Mastitis: If your breast feels painful, hot to the touch, painful and you have flu-like symptoms or a fever, it could be mastitis, which is an infection in your milk ducts. It happens when your milk ducts get clogged, usually due to engorgement if there are fluctuations in your milk production (like if baby’s feeding schedule or intake amounts change). Call your doctor as soon as you notice symptoms, and they can guide you on how to find relief and keep the infection from getting worse.

• Nipple pain: While common, pain while nursing or pumping isn’t inevitable. Some discomfort during the first few days of nursing is normal, but if you’re all the way to week two and it hurts every time your baby latches and your nipples are cracked, bleeding or blistered, then it’s time to talk with your doctor or a lactation consultant. Most nipple pain stems from latch issues or poor positioning, which a lactation consultant can usually help correct with just a few small adjustments. You can also try using nipple cream, hydrogel pads or silver nursing cups between feeds for quick relief.

• Oversupply: Feeling overly full? Is your baby drooling, gagging or choking during letdown? An overly abundant milk supply is totally possible when you’re breastfeeding, and it can lead to engorgement, overactive letdown and your baby struggling to eat. Along with gagging and choking, your baby might also be frequently gassy or fussy while nursing. Try nursing in a reclined position to let gravity slow the milk flow, and offering one breast per feeding can help regulate your supply. Some parents find that hand-expressing or pumping a little before a feed can help, but too much extra pumping can sometimes increase supply even more. Oversupply often evens out in a few weeks as your body and baby get in sync, but if things are feeling overwhelming, a lactation consultant can help you find the right balance.

😴 Sleep

🛏️ Total Sleep: 14–18 Hours

Your baby still needs to sleep for most of the day, and still in 1–2 hour stretches. Their wake windows should be no more than an hour or so of awake time to avoid overtiredness (which leads to a fussy baby). And feeding and sleep will stay tightly linked for about the next six weeks—most babies fall asleep during or right after feeding.

🤔 Day/Night Confusion

Here's an interesting fact about newborns: they don’t know the difference yet between daytime and nighttime. "Day/night confusion is the less-than-fun phenomenon of a baby being alert and awake at night but sleepy during the day," Dr. Klunk says. "This happens because they have to work on establishing their own 'circadian rhythm,' or sleep-wake cycle."

Your baby probably won’t show signs of a typical circadian rhythm until they’re about two to three months old—frequent wakings and short nighttime sleeps are just part of the deal with newborns. If you're looking to encourage baby's sleep patterns, Dr. Klunk says that "the best thing parents can do for this is to be super exciting and stimulating during the day and calm, quiet and boring at night."

A snug swaddle, gentle rocking motions and white noise to recreate a womb-like environment are perfect for signaling to your baby that it’s time to rest.

On the flip side, during baby’s daytime wakings, take baby outside for some bright sunshine and fresh air. Even though their wake windows are short, it’s plenty of time for a quick stroll around the block and some developmentally appropriate sensory stimulation.

❓ Weekly How-To: Bathe & Groom Baby

🛀 Baby’s First Bath

Ready to level up from sponge baths? If your baby’s umbilical cord stump has fallen off and there are no signs of infection, then you’re cleared for the real thing: baby’s first real bath. Just don’t expect spa vibes—newborns aren’t exactly splashing with joy yet. They’re sensitive to temperature, easy to startle and yes, very slippery when wet. Above all, when it comes to bathing a baby of any age, you want to make sure that bathtime is safe.

• Location: A newborn-friendly baby bathtub or a bath insert placed in the kitchen or bathroom sink. It’s important to keep things cozy, contained and anti-slip. "I always recommend using an infant tub that complies with current safety standards as it is too easy for a baby to slip in an adult bathtub, bump into a faucet or pull on a hot water handle in the sink," Dr. Klunk says.

• Water temp: Warm, not hot—test with the inside of your wrist. A bath thermometer isn’t required, but it can be reassuring.

• Water level: Fill the tub or sink with only two to three inches of water—any more than that poses a drowning risk. Baby doesn’t need to be fully immersed to get clean; just use a clean cup to gently pour water over your baby from the neck down to wash off any soap.

• Keep baby warm: Babies lose body heat easily, so keep the parts of them that aren’t in the water warm throughout the bath. Gently pour warm water over them every minute or so, or you can try a swaddle bath, which is when you keep baby wrapped in a warm, wet swaddle blanket to keep their skin from being exposed to the cold open air.

• Frequency: "The truth is that your little one doesn’t need a bath more often than every two or three days," Dr. Klunk says, "as long as they haven’t had a diaper disaster—if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you will soon! And their sensitive skin will appreciate your restraint." Too many baths can cause excessive dryness and make skin conditions like eczema worse.

Once your tiny bath buddy is all clean, then it’s time to finish off the grooming ritual. If your baby has hair, then a soft-bristled hairbrush will be gentle enough on their delicate scalp while also being enough to tame any locks.

A light, fragrance-free lotion can be a good follow-up to bathtime, too, especially if your baby’s skin is on the drier side. But no need to slather it on—a thin layer is just enough to lock in moisture. 

💅 Trimming Baby’s Nails

And finally, the big one: nail trimming. Newborn nails are tiny, soft and surprisingly sharp. You might discover a scratch on their face (or your own) and wonder just how dangerous those little fingers are. Trimming those talons is part grooming, part survival—but it can also be pretty intimidating to take a sharp tool to your newborn’s nails. Here’s how to make it easier:

• Timing is everything: Trim while your baby is sleeping, drowsy or very calm (like just after eating). Wiggly or clenched fingers are not your friend.

• Tools: Use baby nail scissors or clippers with a rounded tip, or try an emery board if you’re nervous about nicks. Electric nail files have also become pretty popular since they’re quick, easy and painless, but the buzzing noise can startle younger babies, so it’s best to leave those for when your little one is a bit older and more used to loud sounds.

• Technique: Gently press the fingertip pad away from the nail before trimming to avoid cutting the skin. Go slowly. There’s no rush—it’s just your baby’s nails, not a race.

👀 Looking Ahead

Here’s what you might expect in baby’s third week:

• Back to birth weight: Your baby will likely have gained back the 10% or so of their weight that they lost in the first few days after being born. 

• Gassiness, fussiness & colic: Some babies become more gassy (and therefore fussy) as their digestive systems mature. If your newborn is having long stretches of inconsolable fussiness, you might wonder if it’s colic.

🛍️ Panic Order

Need something ASAP? These items can help make week two a little easier:

Babylist 
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A variety of cozy swaddles to try, so your baby can sleep snuggly.

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Time to ditch the mesh underwear for a more supportive, absorbent option.

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Belly Bandit 
Viscose from Bamboo Wrap: Postpartum Belly Band

For extra abdominal support and comfort, even against your incision.

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Baby Delight 
Alpine Deluxe Portable Bouncer

A safe place for baby to sit while you take care of yourself. (Also potentially a tool to help constipated babies!)

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Graco 
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Another option for keeping your baby safe and occupied while you eat, shower, do chores or whatever else you need to do.

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Graco 
Pack n' Play Close2Baby Seat Lux Playard

If baby needs a nap but you want to keep them close by, a playard can really come in handy, since you can usually move them from room to room fairly easily.

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Earth Mama 
Organic Nipple Butter

Nursing-safe relief for sore nipples.

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Momcozy 
Silver Nipple Shield

Innovative, cooling (and weirdly cool-looking) cups that keep your sore, cracked nipples from rubbing against your clothing—because ouch.

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Skip Hop 
Skip Hop Moby 3-Stage Bath Gift Set

For safe and cozy bath time.

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Tiny Kind 
Cozy Critter Organic Towel

Super soft, cozy, adorable and the perfect size for your tiny bath buddy.

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Frida Baby 
NailFrida SnipperClipper Set

For those surprisingly sharp claws.

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