Infant Care Basics: What Every New Parent Should Learn (and How to Choose a Class)
By the Nurtured Nest Team · Trusted by UNC Health Rex & 3,000+ families · A program of The Nurture to Bloom Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Nobody hands you a manual when you leave the hospital. Suddenly you're reading hunger cues, counting diapers, wondering if that cry means something, and trying to remember whether you've eaten today.
Here's the good news: the basics of newborn care are learnable, and most of them come down to a handful of skills. Below are the essentials every parent should know, what changes over the first year, and how to pick an infant care class that will actually help.
The infant care basics to learn first:
- FeedingNewborns usually eat 8–12 times in 24 hours.* Learn the early hunger cues.
- DiapersWet and dirty diapers are one of your best signs that feeding is going well*
- Safe sleepOn their back, on a firm flat surface, with nothing else in the crib
- CryingCrying is normal and often peaks around 6–8 weeks.* Have a soothing plan.
- When to callA fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months: call right away*
Keep reading for each one in plain language, what changes month by month, and how to choose a class.
*General guidance, not medical advice. Every baby is different, so call your pediatrician with any questions about your baby.
Watch: A Lesson From Baby's First Year
A real lesson from our Baby's First Year program, so you can see what expert-led infant care education looks like.
A lesson from Nurtured Nest's Baby's First Year program
Jump to: The essentials · When to call · The first year by stage · How to choose a class · FAQs
The Newborn Care Essentials
1. Feeding and hunger cues
Most newborns eat 8–12 times in 24 hours,* whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding, or doing both. Crying is a late hunger sign. Earlier cues are easier to work with: rooting (turning toward your hand or chest), sucking on hands, smacking lips, and getting more alert and wiggly.
Feeding is the area where parents get the most conflicting advice. The goal isn't one "right" method. It's a fed baby and a plan that works for your family.
2. Diapers tell you a lot
In the first days, the number of wet and dirty diapers goes up as feeding gets established. By the end of the first week, many babies have about six or more wet diapers a day.* Your pediatrician will ask about diapers at early visits, so keeping a simple log (or using an app) helps.
3. Safe sleep
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface, in their own crib or bassinet, with no pillows, blankets, bumpers, or toys. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended for at least the first six months. These guidelines are simple, but they're easy to drift from at 3 a.m., which is why it helps to set up the sleep space before baby arrives.
4. Crying and soothing
Crying is how babies communicate, and it often increases over the first weeks, peaking around 6–8 weeks* before it eases. It helps to have a short soothing list ready: feeding, a diaper check, holding skin-to-skin, swaddling (until baby shows signs of rolling), gentle motion, white noise, or a calm change of scenery.
5. Bathing and cord care
Until the umbilical cord stump falls off (usually within 1–3 weeks*), sponge baths are the way to go. Keep the stump clean and dry. Newborns don't need a bath every day; a few times a week is plenty for most babies.
6. Knowing when to call
One of the most useful things you can learn ahead of time is which symptoms can wait for a morning call and which can't. Your pediatrician's office will tell you their guidelines; write them down and keep them on the fridge.
*This is general guidance from standard pediatric recommendations, not medical advice. Your pediatrician knows your baby best. When in doubt, call them; that's what they're there for.
What Changes Over the First Year
Infant care isn't one set of skills you learn once. Each stage brings new questions, which is why it helps to have answers you can come back to.
Feeding rhythms, diapers, cord care, safe sleep, soothing, and your own recovery.
Tummy time, longer awake windows, first smiles, and the crying peak.
Sleep changes, rolling (time to stop swaddling), and getting ready for solids.
Starting solids, sitting, crawling, babyproofing, and new milestones every few weeks.
How to Choose an Online Infant Care Class
There's no shortage of baby advice online. The hard part is knowing what applies to your baby and what to trust. A good infant care class should give you:
- Qualified teachers. Lessons from pediatric, feeding, and sleep professionals, not one person's opinion.
- Balanced feeding support. Breastfeeding, formula, and combination feeding, without pressure toward one choice.
- Current safe sleep guidance that matches AAP recommendations.
- "When to call" guidance so you know the difference between normal newborn quirks and real warning signs.
- Short lessons you can rewatch at 2 a.m. when a question shows up.
- A real person to ask when the lesson doesn't cover your exact situation.
- Something for your partner, so you're both learning the same information.
- Help past the newborn weeks. Sleep, solids, and milestones come fast, so a class that ends at week two leaves a lot out.
In-person classes can be great for hands-on practice. Online classes win on timing: you can learn before baby comes, then come back when a new stage arrives. Want a deeper comparison? Read Online vs. In-Person Childbirth Classes.
Want All of This in One Place?
This article covers the basics. The first year has a lot more questions than any one article can answer.
From the Nurtured Nest learning platform
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Infant Care FAQ
When should I take an infant care class?
Many parents take one in the third trimester, so the basics are fresh when baby arrives. But it's also useful after birth, when the questions are real. A class you can come back to lets you do both.
Is an online infant care class as good as in person?
For most of what new parents need to know (feeding, sleep, soothing, when to call), online works well, and you can rewatch it when you need it. In-person classes are great for hands-on practice. Some families do both.
Does a class replace my pediatrician?
No. An infant care class helps you understand what's normal, what to watch for, and what to ask. Your pediatrician is still your go-to for medical care and anything specific to your baby.
Is this helpful if it isn't my first baby?
Yes. Safe sleep, car seat, and feeding guidance has changed over the years, and every baby is different. A refresher helps you catch what's new.
Can my partner use it too?
Yes. Partner access is included with Nurtured Nest programs, so you can both learn the same information on your own schedules.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Eligible purchases may be reimbursable through an HSA or FSA. Plan rules vary, so check with your plan.
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