Establishing a calm, consistent rhythm with your newborn—even if you’re running on zero sleep.
When you bring your baby home, every day feels like a blur of feedings, naps, and diaper changes. The idea of having a daily newborn routine might sound impossible—but even the loosest routine can bring comfort to both baby and parents.
Here’s what our typical day with a newborn looked like, plus the must-have products that helped make it smoother. (This post contains affiliate links—meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.)
🌞 Morning (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM)
Wake-up + First Feeding
Baby usually woke up for a feeding around 7 AM. We’d do a full feed, then keep her awake for a short window (about 45 minutes).
➡️ Must-Have: My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow for comfy early feeds
➡️ Optional: Hatch Rest Sound Machine to gently wake baby with soft light and white noise
👶 Mid-Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Nap #1 + Tummy Time
After her first nap, we’d squeeze in 5–10 minutes of tummy time. Then she’d go back down for another nap—usually in her bassinet or a stroller walk if the weather was nice.
➡️ Must-Have: Lovevery Play Mat for safe and engaging tummy time
➡️ Must-Have: Halo Sleepsack Swaddle to help baby settle into naps easily
🍼 Early Afternoon (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Feeding, Snuggles + Nap #2
This stretch was usually the longest nap of the day. After feeding, we’d cuddle, do a diaper change, and rock her to sleep.
➡️ Must-Have: Portable Diaper Caddy Organizer to keep essentials handy
➡️ Optional: Baby K’tan Wrap for contact naps while I got things done
☁️ Late Afternoon (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Fussy Time + Walks + Feed
This was baby’s “witching hour.” We did lots of bouncing, singing, and walking around the house to keep her calm.
➡️ Must-Have: Ergobaby Embrace Carrier to soothe baby while staying hands-free
➡️ Soothing Add-On: Wubbanub Pacifier – a total lifesaver some days
🌙 Evening (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Bath + Bedtime Wind Down
Our goal was to keep things calm and consistent. A short bath, fresh diaper, clean onesie, a quiet feed, and then bedtime around 8–9 PM.
➡️ Must-Have: Frida Baby Bath Kit for quick and gentle baths
➡️ Must-Have: Soft Zip-Up Sleepers – because snaps are the enemy at night
🌛 Overnight (9:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
Feeds Every 2–4 Hours
Nighttime was all about survival. Keep lights low, diaper changes quick, and swaddles snug.
➡️ Must-Have: Hatch Sound Machine + Night Light for low-stimulation diaper changes
➡️ Must-Have: Comfy Cubs Muslin Burp Cloths – you’ll use these constantly
💡 Final Thoughts
No two babies are the same, and no routine is perfect—but creating a flexible rhythm each day helped us feel less chaotic and more connected.
Whether you’re a planner or a go-with-the-flow type, building your own routine is all about watching your baby’s cues and doing what works best for your family.
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