Newborn Infant Care
Helpful Tips from your Postpartum Experts
Your crash course in newborn life—from diaper changes and bath time to soothing techniques and developmental milestones. These guides are built for real parents, blending practical how-tos with expert insights to help you feel confident, connected, and calm in those first weeks at home.
How a Night Nurse can Support Twins, Triplets & Higher Order Multiples
Welcoming more than one baby at a time is incredibly special [and can be incredibly demanding]. When you are welcoming home one baby, you can work on following their individual rhythm and getting them into a routine. Or [more commonly] some parents don't track feedings or sleep and just go...
Tips for your first walk with your newborn in a stroller
As a new parent, some milestones take you by surprise. Your first stroller ride with a newborn is one of them. Suddenly, that stroller that’s sat empty since your baby shower is ready to have a tiny person in it! So, how can you prepare for your first stroller walk...
What Is a Night Nurse? [And Why We Call Them Newborn Care Specialists]
If you've been researching support after bringing home a baby, you've likely come across the term "night nurse." It's one of the most commonly searched phrases by new parents, and also one of the most misunderstood [and often ILLEGAL!]. So what is a night nurse, what do they actually do,...
How to Divide Newborn Care Responsibilities When You Have Twins or Multiples
When families welcome twins or multiples, one of the first questions that comes up is deceptively simple: How do we divide the work fairly? We work alongside families with multiples frequently, and this question usually isn't about fairness. It's about survival. Parents are trying to protect their sleep, stay connected...
Aligning Sleep Rhythms Between Twins & Multiples (Without Forcing a Schedule)
If you're parenting twins or multiples, you may already be living this moment: one baby finally settles, and just as you exhale, the other wakes up. By the time everyone is calm again, the first baby is stirring. This is often the moment parents start wondering, "Can I get two...
Feeding Your Baby After Surrogacy: Breastmilk, Formula & Combination Options
Bringing your baby home after surrogacy is an incredible moment, but it often comes with questions that many parents don’t expect. One of the most common is feeding. Unlike traditional postpartum experiences, intended parents navigating surrogacy may not have a default feeding path laid out for them, and there is...
AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines [And How Overnight Care Supports Them]
At Well Supported Family, ensuring a safe sleep environment for the babies that we support overnight is our top priority. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has established clear guidelines(opens in new tab) to help parents and caregivers create a safe sleep setup for little ones. In this blog post,...
How Families Stack Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, and Overnight Newborn Care
Some families approach the early parenting transition the same way they approach other complex transitions in life: by thinking ahead about how different forms of support work together. Rather than viewing maternity leave, paternity leave, and overnight newborn care as separate decisions, they think in terms of stacking parental leave...
Cradle Cap: Causes and Treatments
If you’ve noticed soft flakes or yellowish patches on your baby’s scalp, you are in very good company. Cradle cap is one of the most common newborn skin conditions, and while it may look surprising at first, it is almost always harmless. Many parents wonder what causes cradle cap, how...
Postpartum Doula vs. Newborn Care Specialist: Training, Roles & Which Is Right for You
You know you want professional in-home support after your baby arrives, but where to begin? As you research your options, you'll soon discover that there are different types of professional caregivers for new parents and babies. In this post, we'll talk about the similarities and differences between two types of...
Baby Toy Safety Guide: What’s Actually Safe for Infants
Welcoming a new baby into your home brings so much joy-and plenty of decisions, too. One of the earliest choices parents face is selecting toys that are safe and developmentally meaningful. According to the American Public Health Association, December is Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month, this gentle guide will...
Baby Acne: Causes & Treatment for Newborn Zits & Bumps
If there’s something red and bumpy on your baby’s face, you aren’t alone. Bumps or pimples are common, affecting 20 to 30% of newborns. New parents may wonder about what to do if and when baby acne appears on their newborn's face, what natural treatments they can use, and when...
RSV and Babies: Symptoms, Prevention, and Vaccine Updates
Keep your baby safe from RSV this season with this helpful guide that includes what to look out for, how to reduce your baby’s risk, and the latest recommendations for who should get the vaccine and when. As we enter the season of holiday travel, family get-togethers, and crowded indoor...
Should I Cloth Diaper? Cost, Types, Convenience, and What New Parents Need to Know
Cloth diapering has made a big comeback in recent years — and for good reason. Many parents are drawn to it for environmental benefits, cost savings, and fewer chemicals against baby’s skin. But it can also feel overwhelming: What types are best? How much laundry will it really mean? And...
Newborn Circumcision Explained: Choices, Procedures, and Care
Deciding whether to circumcise your newborn is a deeply personal choice—one that often comes with a mix of cultural, medical, and emotional considerations. Understanding what the procedure involves, the potential benefits and risks, and how to care for your baby afterward can help you make an informed decision with confidence....
Baby Stork Bites & Birth Marks: Tips for Newborn Skin Care Treatment
Congratulations, your newest addition has finally arrived and as you count all their fingers and toes, you may notice a few other things as well. Though it may be concerning to new parents, it is incredibly common. Almost 80% of babies are born with some type of birthmark. However, we...
Diaper Size Guide
If there’s one thing you can’t live without as new parents, it’s probably diapers! And to help you make sure you don’t overbuy the wrong size at your baby shower or try to squeeze your baby into too-tight diapers, here’s our diaper size guide. There’s really no way around it,...
How to Talk to Your Baby for Brain Development
Talking to your baby might make you feel a little crazy, it kind of seems like you’re talking to yourself at some point. After all, your freshly born baby can’t possibly be processing anything, right? Well, you might be surprised to find out that talking to your baby from day...
I Don’t Want to Breastfeed My Baby
“I don’t want to breastfeed my baby.” Guess what? You don’t have to, and that’s okay. Bottom line, end of article. [Kidding] The breastfeeding journey is one that is pushed onto the vast majority of birth parents, but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. The societal pressure to breastfeed is...
Simple Bedtime Routines That Help Babies Sleep Better
There’s nothing quite like a peaceful bedtime. Soft lights, a sleepy baby, and a moment to exhale after a long day. For many new parents, bedtime can feel more like a scramble than a soothing ritual. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Establishing a bedtime routine can help bring...
Newborn Sleep Challenges [And How We Help Parents Overcome Them]
If you’re in the first few months of life with a new baby, chances are that sleep is top of mind, and probably in short supply. Those early weeks can bring unpredictable wakeups, short naps, and lots of questions about what’s “normal.” You’re not imagining it. Newborn sleep is complex,...
Acid reflux in babies: signs, symptoms and treatment
Have you ever eaten Indian food and 20 minutes later you feel a burning in your upper chest and maybe even your throat? [If you’ve ever been pregnant you might have felt this every time you ate.] That sensation is “heartburn.”Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, which is when...
Why You Should Babywear in the Grocery Store
Quick errands can feel like big adventures when you’ve got a baby in tow, especially the grocery store. From maneuvering carts to dodging germs and juggling a diaper bag, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where babywearing can become a game changer. At Well Supported Family, we work with families...
Newborn Baby Care Basics: Tips for New Parents
Brand new parenthood is absolutely magical – and also, terrifying. Caring for your tiny baby brings both overwhelming love and near-constant worry. On top of tending to your own sore and healing body, learning to care for an infant is all-consuming. When you’re a first-time parent, the learning curve can...
How much do Newborns Sleep? How many hours at a time? Newborn Sleep: What to Expect
The expression “sleeping like a baby” brings to mind a long, quiet snooze. But on the same token, new parents are warned that their little bundle of joy will arrive with a big serving of sleep deprivation. What can parents truly expect when it comes to newborn sleep? Let’s dig...
What to Expect Your First Night Home with Your Newborn
The day is finally here! It's time to bring your brand new baby home from the hospital! The first time you walk through the door with your newborn will come with a flood of emotions. After days in the hospital with around the clock nursing care, you may feel both...
Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Labor & Newborn Care
The big day is getting close! When you can’t see your toes anymore - or by your 36th/37th week - it’s time to pack your hospital bag. There's no telling exactly how long you'll be at the hospital, but between labor and recovery time, it's best to plan for at...
The 5 S’s: How to Soothe a Fussy Baby
Do you ever feel lost on how to soothe a fussy baby? After nine months in the perfectly warm and cozy womb, our bright, loud world can be totally overwhelming for newborns. All babies cry to communicate their needs. A cry could mean baby is cold, wet, hungry, tired, overstimulated,...
What to do with a baby all day? Daytime activities for a newborn routine
I hear it all the time: “What am I supposed to do with this baby all day?” “If I sing itsy bitsy spider one more time, I’m going to scream!” “What can I do to enhance my child’s development?” “Am I a bad parent for being so bored?” What the...
Preparing for flu season with a newborn
You've lived through fall and winter every year of your life, and you may not have given it much thought. However, when you have a new baby with a developing immune system- every cough, every doorknob, every touch from a stranger just hits differently. You may feel that you should...
How to Become a Newborn Care Specialist
Are you passionate about caring for newborns and supporting new parents? If so, becoming a Newborn Care Specialist [NCS] could be the perfect fit for you! This type of work offers a unique chance to make a meaningful difference to families during one of their most critical and vulnerable periods...
6 Tips for Preventing and Treating Diaper Rash
First off, every baby gets diaper rash at one point or another. Don’t beat yourself up over it. It doesn’t always mean that your baby was in a soiled diaper too long or that there was anything that you could have done differently. Diaper rash can be triggered by many...
Infant CPR and First Aid Classes in Chicago, IL
Are you looking for Infant CPR and first aid classes in Chicago, IL? One of the most important classes new parents, caregivers, grandparents and anyone who will be watching a newborn should take is an infant CPR and First Aid class. These classes differ from adult CPR classes and teach...
Why is my baby so loud?
Every once in a while I will have an intake call with a parent interested in overnight newborn care and they will ask me if they can share a room with their baby while we are in their home providing support. My first response is to stifle a giggle and...
How to create an ideal sleep environment for your baby
Are you wondering how to create an ideal sleep environment for your baby? You’ve come to the right place! In this post, we’ll share the three main components needed to foster a healthy sleep space. Spoiler, these tips usually work wonders for children and adults, too! Temperature Room temperature plays...
Car Seat Installation in Chicago, IL
Whether you're a first time parent or a seasoned one, buckling your infant into their car seat for the first time can be truly intimidating--especially when you're facing Chicago traffic with a newborn! Suddenly, your baby is on the outside and it's your job to keep them safe! Proper car...
Eat. Play. Sleep.
What IS Eat Play Sleep? Should I put my baby on a nap schedule? What IS an appropriate nap schedule for a newborn? If you ask ten different moms what’s typical for newborn sleep, you will undoubtedly get ten different answers. If you ask ten different sleep professionals what’s typical for newborn...
Is my newborn teething?
Teething is a natural process during which a baby's teeth start to emerge through the gums. While the exact timing of teething can vary from child to child, most babies will begin teething around 6 months of age. However, rarely teething can start at 3 months of age of earlier!...
Should I use a pacifier with my newborn [or will it cause nipple confusion]?
That is the question! Pacifiers are a hot topic. Should you use a pacifier, that's ultimately up to you as parents. But as a newborn care specialist, postpartum doula, sleep consultant and lactation educator...I am very pro Paci. Let me explain why: Pacifier Concern number one: Pacifiers will effect breastfeeding...
How to Find Your Perfect Night Nurse in Manhattan
Nighttime support is a game-changer for new parents. These skilled professionals provide overnight care for your newborn, allowing you to get much-needed rest during those challenging early weeks and months. If you're looking for a NYC baby night nurse in Manhattan, here's what you need to know. Understanding Night Nurse...
When to Transition Your Baby Out of a Bassinet
There are countless first milestones in your baby’s first months of life. One big one that can sneak up on parents is outgrowing the bassinet. Bassinets are a wonderful first option for safe sleep during the newborn phase. They’re portable, safe, and just the right snug size for a brand...
Bottle Feeding Refusal [My baby is refusing their bottle]
Has your baby been taking a bottle like a champ and then suddenly feeding them feels like a huge struggle? Bottle feeding refusal is frustrating; We are here to help! Is your baby breastfeeding and refusing to try a bottle? Check that out here. While a baby that has been...
Best Online Newborn Care Classes
Becoming a new parent is one of life's most exciting and overwhelming experiences. Whether you're welcoming a baby through pregnancy, surrogacy, or adoption, those first few months can feel like a whirlwind of immense joy - and stressful uncertainty. That's where Baby Care Classes comes in - providing expert guidance...
Welcoming Home a Baby: A Guide for Intended Parents
Are you expecting a baby by surrogacy? As in intended parent, that long-awaited day you finally get to bring your baby home is full of many emotions. Joy, excitement, relief, and most likely some nerves, too. No matter how your baby comes into your life, welcoming a newborn into your...
When to Transition Out of a Swaddle
Swaddling is a universal tool that benefits babies and parents alike. Swaddling a newborn is a safe practice that replicates the snug feeling of the womb, which helps babies transition smoothly to life on the outside. Ultimately, though, swaddling can't last forever. As newborns hit certain developmental milestones, swaddling with...
Swaddling a Preemie
Swaddling is a common practice that involves wrapping a baby snugly in a blanket for warmth and security. Swaddling is a wonderful way to soothe babies, physically reminding them of the warmth and security of the womb. However, when it comes to swaddling a preemie, there are some important considerations...
Babywearing Counts as Tummy Time
As a new parent, you’ve probably heard of “tummy time” – the time that infants spend on their stomachs to help them develop the muscles they need to crawl, roll over, and sit up. Tummy time is essential for optimal infant development, both physically and cognitively. Tummy time offers an...
New Dad Checklist
Becoming a new dad is both exciting and overwhelming! You're about to embark on a journey that will change your life forever. To help you prepare for this new role, we have compiled a comprehensive new dad checklist that covers everything you need to handle before and after your baby...
Sleep Tips for Traveling with a Baby
Are you planning to travel with your baby? Traveling with a baby can feel overwhelming, particularly when it comes to sleep. A lot of parents wonder how their baby will sleep while away from home. Don’t stress! It’s totally possible for your baby to sleep well while traveling. Read on...
What is a dream feed?
There’s a lot to learn about infant sleep! New parents have to navigate a lot of new information, research, and philosophies when learning about infant sleep. One term that’s new for many parents is called a “dream feed.” What is a dream feed? Let’s find out! Feeding a sleeping baby...
How to Make Life Easier With a Newborn
Having a baby is one surefire way to rock your world. New parenthood is not for the faint of heart! People often talk about how hard it is to have a newborn, but why is it so hard to have a new baby? The truth is, with a new baby...
When can my preemie come home from the NICU?
The top question NICU parents ask is: when can my preemie come home from the NICU? No matter whether your baby is in the NICU for days, weeks, or months - discharge day is a huge deal. Many preemies are ready to go home around their original due date, but...
Guide for NICU Parents of Preemies
November is National Prematurity Awareness Month. Did you know that one in 10 babies in the United States is born premature? Preemies are babies that are born anytime before 37 weeks gestation. Some preemies born close to the 37 week mark adjust to life outside the womb easily without additional...
What are the top risk factors for SIDS?
Every parent needs to know the top risk factors for SIDS. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome rates have declined in recent decades, from 130.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 38.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. This is believed to be in large part due to the...
What are the 5 S’s?
When you’re having a baby, there’s a lot to learn. Some of the most important things to learn are how to soothe a fussy baby. Babies are easily overstimulated by our bright, loud world, and their only way to communicate that is through crying. However, crying babies quickly lead to...
How Newborn Care Specialists Can Help New Parents Sleep
New parenthood comes with many joys and challenges. Second only to the overwhelming rush of pure love for your new baby is the utter exhaustion that steadily builds throughout the newborn phase. Newborn babies need to eat at least every 3 hours, day and night. Between feeding, changing, burping and...
Baby Hunger Cues: How to Know if Your Newborn Is Hungry
“Mom, I’m hungry!” While you'll hear this phase endlessly throughout your years as a parent, it will be quite some time before your newborn can tell you verbally that they’re hungry. Thankfully, young babies give us other cues to let us know they need to eat. Crying is a late...
Baby CPR Classes
Infant CPR. It’s the last thing a new parent wants to think about, but taking a baby CPR class could mean the difference between life and death. As a new or soon-to-be parent, it’s unlikely that the ins and outs of cardiopulmonary resuscitation are fresh in your mind, but thankfully...
Facts About Premature Babies
Did you know that one in 10 babies in the US is born premature? Worldwide, about 15 million births occur prematurely each year. Any baby born before 37 weeks gestation is considered premature. While medical advances have come a long way to save and improve the lives of babies born...
The Preemie Parenting Experience
The preemie parenting experience is like no other. From the unexpected early dive into parenthood, to the steep learning curve that comes with learning how to care for your preemie, parents of premature babies are in for an emotional rollercoaster. Feelings of guilt, anger, and sadness are part of the...
How to Care for Your Premature Baby: What Parents Need to Know
With every 10 babies born in the US, one is born premature. Going into premature labor is often a frightening experience for new parents. Sometimes, a medical condition requires pregnancy to be induced early. Other times, the cause of premature labor is unknown and parents are taken by surprise. Learning...
Preemies Week by Week: Complications and Care
A baby born before 37 weeks of gestation is considered premature. Premature babies are typically small and may require extra monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Premature babies may have trouble breathing, maintaining their body temperature, and/or eating on their own. Those most at risk of medical complications...
Safe Sleep Practices for Babies: The ABC’s of Safe Sleep
Safe sleep practices for babies are essential in lowering infant mortality. With all the many things to learn about raising a new baby, safe sleep practices are among the most important. But sleep deprivation and the stressors of parenting can lead many new parents to feel uncertain and confused about...
How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
Learn About Safe Sleep Practices for Babies As a new parent, one of the most important topics to learn about is how to keep your sleeping baby safe. Newborns spend on average 14-17 hours a day sleeping, but those sleep periods are brief and can easily lead to sleep deprivation...
Bottle Feeding Your Baby 101
When researching everything you need to know about bottle feeding your baby, the topic can feel overwhelming. From which bottles to use, to breast milk and formula storage, to how to clean your bottles - the seemingly simple act of bottle feeding your baby can bring up lots of questions....
How to Burp Your Baby
Burping your baby is an important part of their feeding routine. During a feeding, babies swallow some air bubbles along with their formula or breastmilk. Babies need help with positioning to expel that gas, which otherwise can become trapped in the digestive system and cause discomfort. Read on for all...
SNOO vs Night Nurse
The SNOO Bassinet: The SNOO is a bassinet created by the Happiest Baby on the Block author Harvey Karp. You can strap your baby into its swaddle and it provides responsive motion and sound to soothe your baby. A Night Nurse/Baby Nurse: Night nurse/baby nurse is an old-fashioned term for...
How to Minimize Holiday Stress with a Newborn
Having a baby in the fall or winter is the sweetest. Cozy snuggles, the cutest little fuzzy outfits, and no guilt whatsoever on gloomy days spent entirely indoors, nursing by the fire. But for parents welcoming a baby in the colder months, an already stressful time of year can be...
What is Overnight Newborn Care?
We often get asked: What is overnight newborn care? “What do you actually do?” “If I’m nursing how is this service helpful?” “How many nights should I book?” Let’s talk about it! Newborn...
Bonding with baby after Surrogacy
The call came at 2:30am from our surrogate, who quietly informed me, “Are you ready to be parents tomorrow?” Our son, who was being carried by a gestational carrier, was about to make his entrance into the world...3 weeks before the induction date, and over 1,000 miles away. So there...
How to Keep Your Baby Warm and Safe in Fall and Winter
Dealing with a baby in the summer months can be tricky. The sun is dangerous but you can’t sunscreen your newborn. The mosquitos are carrying scary viruses but you can’t use chemical bug spray. You take your baby out of the car only to find him red faced and sweaty....
How can dads better bond with their newborns?
For better or worse, a lot of the narrative around dealing with newborns ties back to the mother. This makes sense, obviously -- in most cases the baby came out of her, and I'd argue mothers are still the gender we associate with child-rearing. This story is changing a little...
Helpful tips from your team at Well Supported Family.
Expert postpartum and newborn advice you can trust.
Since 2016, Well Supported Family has provided newborn care to thousands of families. Our team of certified Postpartum Doulas and Newborn Care Specialists offer daytime, overnight, and 24/7 in-home support across 12 U.S. states. Whether you're recovering from birth, establishing feeding routines, or just trying to get more sleep, we're here to help—one family at a time.
Want to explore in-home care for your new family? Reach out today.