Why is skin-to-skin contact important after birth?

Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate the newborn’s body temperature, strengthens emotional bonding, and supports early initiation of breastfeeding.

When does a newborn receive the first medical examination?

Shortly after birth, healthcare professionals assess the newborn using the Apgar score, which evaluates breathing, heart rate, muscle tone, reflex responses, and skin color.

Is breastfeeding recommended immediately after birth?

Yes. Health professionals recommend initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, often called the golden hour, to promote bonding and support milk production.

How do parents usually feel on the first day after birth?

Parents may experience a mix of emotions such as happiness, love, exhaustion, and mild anxiety. These feelings are normal during the early transition into parenthood.

How much does a newborn sleep on the first day?

Newborns sleep for most of the day, waking every few hours mainly for feeding. This sleep pattern helps them recover and adapt after birth.

What is the most important advice for parents on the first day?

Parents are advised to stay calm, rest whenever possible, accept help from others, and enjoy the early moments of bonding with their newborn.

First Day of Birth: What Newborn Babies Do in the First 24 Hours (2026 Guide)

Last Updated on May 9, 2026 by Bibhu Ranjan Mund, MPH

Discover what happens during a newborn’s first day of birth, including sleep patterns, feeding, crying, bonding, and essential baby care tips.

Reviewed by Bibhu Ranjan Mund, MPH (Public Health Expert) with experience in maternal, infant, child, and adolescent health programs. Content is based on evidence-informed guidelines aligned with organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health.
Last reviewed on: 22 March 2026.

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition or concerns.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The First Day of Birth

As per the research published by World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), it shows that about 25-30% of newborn related complications arises within the first day of birth of a baby and thus early care, feeding, warmth and emotional bonding is highly essential. Just simple practice of skin-to-skin care like Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and early breastfeeding can improve the newborn well-being and confidence of parents. KMC can be done by both Mother and Father.

The first 24 hours of birth is an emotional moment for every parent. If they couple are new for the baby, they actually worry about newborn’s sleep pattern, crying, feeding, body moments which is a normal thing.

It is important to understand what is the normal for the bay on first day of birth, the parents can enjoy these unforgettable moments with confidence.

The newborn stage marks the beginning of rapid growth and development, discover about long-term milestones in our guide on Early Childhood Development: Growth, Learning, and Milestones.

For many parents, caring for a newborn can feel both exciting and overwhelming.

What Does the First Day of a Newborn Baby Reveal?

All babies are different but such patterns are said to be normal and healthy.

Quick Summary: What Happens on a Baby’s First Day?

Newborns usually sleep 14–17 hours
Babies wake briefly for feeding
Crying is their main communication method
Skin-to-skin contact supports bonding
Early breastfeeding helps immunity and development
Irregular breathing for short periods can be normal
Your baby may not remember the first day of life, but their brain and body are already learning from every touch, sound, and cuddle.
The first cry, first feeding, and first eye contact are more than emotional moments, they help shape early development.
Many parents worry when newborns sleep too much on day one, but this is often part of a healthy transition.

Normal Newborn Patterns in First 24 Hours

Area	What Is Commonly Observed	Why It Happens (General Explanation)
Sleep	14–17 hours (with short waking periods)	Adjustment from womb to outside environment
Feeding	Small, frequent feeds	Stomach size is very small on Day 1
Crying	Short periods of crying	Main communication method
Breathing	May appear irregular briefly	Immature breathing rhythm adjusting
Movement	Jerky or reflex movements	Normal newborn reflex activity

Source: WHO Postnatal Care Guidelines; UNICEF Newborn Care Data (2023)

Understanding newborn behavior is the first step in tracking healthy growth, explore detailed stages in From Infancy to Toddlerhood: Key Developmental Stages.

First day of a newborn baby and its activities

Day one Newborn Emotional and Behavioral States

A newborn’s behavioral states reflect their physical and emotional needs. Watching the facial expressions, body language and alertness will enable the parents learn more about their baby.

Newborn emotional behavioral states in first day of birth

1. Drowsy State

Gentle movements may be seen
Eyes can be opened and closed slowly.
Most appropriate option: leave the baby to sleep.
Limit light exposure and high noise.

2. Active Sleep

In the state of active sleeping, the baby can: Move arms and legs slightly
Twitch facial muscles
Breathing may be irregular for short periods.

It is a normal sleeping stage and it does not need any intervention unless recommended by a medical practitioner.

3. Deep Sleep

In deep sleep, the baby breathes deeply and regularly
Remains mostly still
Is harder to wake

The stage facilitates physical healing and brain maturation.

4. Quiet Alert State

This is the best opportunity to bond.
Baby is calm and observant
Makes brief eye contact
Responds to voices and touch

Parents are capable of talking, singing or holding their baby at this stage.

5. Active Alert State

Increased movement
May show mild fussiness
Signifies that he or she is ready to interact or feed

6. Crying

The major mode of communication of a newborn is crying. It may signal:

Hunger
Discomfort
Need for comfort

Proper feeding from the first day is essential for growth, check our expert guide on Supplementary Feeding Guidelines for Infants.

Acting quickly by holding, feeding or soothing contributes to the development of trust and security.

These early behavioral patterns are linked to brain development, know more about how the brain grows in Why a Human Child Is So Unique and What Makes Us Human.

Newborn Behavioral States – Quick Comparison

State	Baby’s Eyes	Movement	Best Parental Response
Drowsy	Opening & closing slowly	Mild stretching	Allow rest
Active Sleep	Closed	Twitching, irregular breathing	Observe, no interruption
Deep Sleep	Closed	Still, regular breathing	Let baby sleep
Quiet Alert	Open, calm	Minimal movement	Ideal time to bond
Active Alert	Open	Increased movement	Prepare for feeding/interaction
Crying	Closed or open	Active body movement	Check feeding/comfort

Source: Harvard Center on the Developing Child; WHO Essential Newborn Care

Good nutrition and early care practices support long-term health, learn about the importance of maternal nutrition in Food Supplementation and Its Importance.

What surprised most parents on the first day?

Babies sleep more than expected
Crying may be minimal initially
Feeding sessions are short but frequent
Skin-to-skin contact calms babies quickly

The First day Newborn Care: Essentials

i. Clothing for Newborns

Use 100% soft cotton clothing
Buttons, tight elastics and rough seams should be avoided.
Clothe the infant in a comfortable way neither too hot nor too cold.

First-Day Newborn Care Checklist

Care Area	Simple Action
Temperature	Keep baby warm, avoid overheating
Feeding	Offer breast within first hour if possible
Hygiene	Clean hands before handling
Diaper Care	Change frequently
Bonding	Practice skin-to-skin contact
Rest	Mother should rest as much as possible

Source: WHO Postnatal Care Guidelines

ii. Safe Sleep Guidance

Newborns should receive recommendations in health organizations, suggesting that they should:

Sleep on a firm, flat surface
Be placed on their back
Do not use pillows, fluffy bedding or loose items.

The practices aid in minimizing the risk of sleep-related complications.

Healthy sleep patterns in newborns evolve with growth, understand how development progresses in Early Childhood Development Guide.

Safe Sleep – Recommended vs Avoided Practices

Recommended Practice	Avoided Practice
Place baby on back to sleep	Sleeping on stomach or side
Firm, flat sleep surface	Soft mattresses or couches
Room-sharing without bed-sharing	Sleeping on adult bed
Light clothing	Heavy blankets or pillows

Source: WHO Essential Newborn Care; UNICEF Safe Sleep Recommendations

iii. Baby Diaper Sew with Soft Cotton Fabric Only:

Use soft, breathable fabrics
Maintain the diaper region hygienic.
Changing of diapers should be done regularly to avoid irritation.

Always wash hands prior to and subsequent to the diapers.

iv. Skin-to-Skin Postpartum Contact.

Immediate contact between the baby and the mother skin-to-skin contact is beneficial:

Regulate body temperature
Breathing and heart rate need to be stabilized.
Promote emotional bonding
Enhance early breast feeding

Early bonding plays a crucial role in emotional and brain development, explore more in Why Human Children Are Unique

Globally, early newborn care remains an important public health priority

Global Newborn Care Snapshot

Indicator	Global Estimate	Source
Births per year worldwide	~134 million	UNICEF Maternal & Newborn Data Portal
Newborn deaths (first 28 days) annually	~2.3 million	WHO Newborn Health Factsheet (2023)
Deaths occurring in first 24 hours	Approx. 25–30% of neonatal deaths	WHO Newborn Health Factsheet (2023)
Early breastfeeding initiation (within 1 hour)	~48% globally	UNICEF Maternal & Newborn Data Portal

Early interventions can prevent long-term developmental issues, read more in Global Developmental Delay in Children.

Concluding Points:

A newborn’s first day of birth period is just about the rest, feeding, warmth and learning the baby’s small signals. On this day the most important is sleeping for long hours, brief crying, irregular breathing patterns and frequent feeding requirement are the normal.

As per the research from WHO and UNICEF, the show that early breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact (KMC) can improve the baby’s survival and long-term development.

Parents may feel tired or emotional on that day, but it is completely natural. With proper knowledge, guidance patience and support of other, confidence to serve the newborn baby grows quickly.

For many first-time parents, this tiny behavior can feel confusing at first.
Seeing your baby sleep so much may feel surprising, but it is usually completely normal.
These small early interactions help babies feel safe and secure.

Providing the right care from day one builds the foundation for lifelong health, learn more in our complete guide on Child Growth, Nutrition, and Development.

This article follows evidence-informed public health guidance and is reviewed periodically to align with recommendations from WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and peer-reviewed medical literature.

FAQs:

Q1. What happens as soon as a child born?

Immediately after birth, the newborn is gently dried and assessed for breathing. Whenever possible, the baby is placed skin-to-skin on the mother’s chest to support warmth, bonding, and early adaptation.

Q2. Why skin-to-skin contact is important for a newborn baby?

It helps to control temperature, emotional attachment and premature feeding.

Q3. At what age does the newborn receive the first examination?

After birth, doctors use the Apgar score to evaluate the condition of newborns in a few minutes and test them based on breathing, heart rate, muscle tone, reflexes and skin color.

Q4. Is infants breastfeeding advisable?

Yes. Health professionals recommend breastfeeding in the first hour of birth commonly referred to as the golden hour.

Q5. How do the parents normally feel on the first day?

Mothers and fathers might experience happiness, affection, exhaustion, a bit of anxiety or all of them are understandably so.

Q6. How many hours, the infant sleep on the first day?

Infants spend a majority of their time sleeping (17-19 hours) with intervals of a few hours in between where they mostly wake up to have a meal.

Q7. What do you suggest as the most valuable tips to parents on the first day?

That should remain quiet, sleep whenever you can, seek assistance and take pleasure in these initial times of connection.

Related Health Articles from Healthy Home

Early Childhood Development – Learn about key stages, milestones, and factors influencing a child’s growth in this guide on Early Childhood Development
Global Developmental Delay – Understand causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and early intervention strategies for Global Developmental Delay in Children
What Makes Humans Unique – Explore the biological, cognitive, and emotional traits that define humanity in Why a Human Child Is So Unique and What Makes Us Human
Infancy to Toddler Development – A comprehensive overview of physical, emotional, and cognitive changes from birth to toddlerhood in Precious Infancy to Toddler Stage
Food Supplementation for Growth & Nutrition – Learn how nutritional supplementation supports maternal and child health through Food Supplementation and Its Importance

Trusted References and Research Sources:

WHO Child Health Guidelines – Official World Health Organization guidance on maternal, newborn, and child health: WHO Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Guidelines (PDF)
Scientific Evidence on Early Development – Peer-reviewed research on child development and early life interventions: PMC Article on Early Childhood Development
Postnatal Care for Mothers and Newborns – Key recommendations from WHO’s postnatal care guidelines: WHO Postnatal Care Guidelines Highlights (PDF)
Newborn Health Guidelines & Recommendations – Evidence-based newborn health practices from Harvard School of Public Health: Harvard Newborn Health Guidelines
UNICEF Newborn Care Data & Statistics – Global data and insights on maternal and newborn health: UNICEF Newborn Care Statistics
WHO Newborn Health Factsheet (Europe) – Key facts, risks, and interventions for newborn survival: WHO Europe Newborn Health Factsheet
Essential Newborn Care Practices – WHO-recommended essential care practices for newborn survival and development: WHO Essential Newborn Care

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Bibhu Ranjan Mund, MPH

About the Author – “Bibhu Ranjan Mund”, Master in Public Health (MPH) from IIHMR University, Jaipur (Rajasthan) has experience of 18 years in Public Health activities like maternal health, child health, adolescent health, nutrition and community wellness programs. Through “Healthy Home”, he shares evidence-based health and wellness guidance designed to support families in making informed lifestyle decisions. This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Connect LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibhu-ranjan-mund-b72171358/

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