Whether you're a first-time parent, a returning parent, or welcoming your baby through surrogacy, the first 48 hours after birth can feel both magical and overwhelming. Those first two days are full of rapid changes, emotional highs (and a little exhaustion), and many important steps in caring for your newborn.
This blog will walk you through what typically happens during your baby’s first 48 hours—so you can feel informed, confident, and ready.
1. Your Baby’s First Assessment (APGAR Test)
Right after birth, your baby will undergo a quick checkup called the APGAR score, which assesses:
- Appearance (skin color)
- Pulse (heart rate)
- Grimace (reflexes)
- Activity (muscle tone)
- Respiration (breathing)
2. Feeding: Breast, Bottle, or Both
Babies need to feed within the first few hours of life. Feeding also helps regulate body temperature, blood sugar, and digestion.
Whether you’re:
- Breastfeeding as a new mom,
- Using donor milk,
- Or bottle-feeding with formula
3. Sleeping Patterns in the First 48 Hours
Newborns are extremely sleepy right after birth, often sleeping 16–18 hours a day—but not in long stretches. Expect your baby to wake every 2–3 hours to feed.
It’s important to practice safe sleep guidelines right from the start:
- Always place baby on their back
- Use a firm, flat surface
- Keep the crib free of blankets, toys, and pillows
4. Diapering & Normal Baby Behaviors
Your baby may only have 1–2 wet diapers and a dark, sticky stool (meconium) in the first 24 hours. This is completely normal. Over the next day or two, both urine and stool frequency will increase.
Other normal—but surprising—behaviors include:
- Sneezing (to clear nasal passages)
- Hiccups
- Jittery movements
- Briefly crossed eyes
5. Don’t Forget the Paperwork
In the middle of all the emotions, don’t forget to handle these critical documents:
- Hospital birth registration form
- Parent information forms (for birth certificate)
- Social Security number application (if needed)
- Chinese Travel Document application prep (for international/surrogacy cases)
How We Can Help
At Miracle Angels Rsolution, we know how overwhelming the first few days after birth can be—especially for international families, first-time parents, and surrogacy situations. That’s why we offer:
- Post-birth document support (Birth certificate, Travel Document, U.S. Passport, etc.)
- Newborn care support & postpartum recovery coordination
- Professional notary & translation services
- Logistical guidance for families planning to return to China with their baby