Bringing your baby home is equal parts magical and overwhelming. Here's a Dhaka-specific guide to what actually matters in week one — distilled from conversations with paediatricians at Square, Evercare and United hospitals, and from parents in our Ziha community.
Hospital bag — what you actually use
- 5–6 newborn-size bodysuits (size NB or 0–3M) — front-snap, not over-the-head
- 3 muslin swaddles (the Mothercare 2-pack works)
- A pack of NB diapers + sensitive baby wipes
- Soft cap and 2 pairs of mittens
- One going-home outfit — don't bring more, you'll never use them
First 7 days at home
Most newborns feed every 2–3 hours, sleep 16–18 hours, and need a fresh diaper 8–12 times a day. Don't panic about a sleep schedule — that comes in weeks 6–8. Focus on three things:
- Skin-to-skin contact — at least 30 minutes a day. Regulates baby's temperature and heart rate.
- Cord care — keep the umbilical stump clean and dry. It usually falls off by day 7–14.
- Your sleep — sleep when baby sleeps. Family hovering can wait.
Dhaka-specific tips
Run the AC at 25–26 °C, not lower. Use a fan-circulator if you're worried about cold air directly on baby. Keep an electric kettle bedside for warm-water sponging — Dhaka's tap water can be unpredictable. And take pictures every single day for the first 30 — they change that fast.
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