Your womb was a warm and cozy environment, and it'll take time for your baby to adjust to the various sights, sounds, and sensations of life outside your body. You may not be able to detect much of a personality just yet, as your baby spends his or her time moving between states of sleepiness, quiet alertness, and active alertness.
The only way your baby knows to communicate is by crying, but you can communicate with him or her through your voice and your touch. (Your baby can now recognize your voice and pick it out among others.)
Your baby probably loves to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. He or she may even make an ahh noise at the sound of your voice or sight of your face, and be eager to find you in a crowd.
Innie or outie?
After your baby was born, your doctor (or your partner) painlessly cut his or her umbilical cord, leaving an umbilical stump. You'll notice during your baby's first couple of weeks that the remaining piece of cord tissue will begin to fall off.
During this time, give your baby sponge baths instead of tub baths to keep the area dry. When the cord has totally separated and fallen off, what remains is your baby's cute belly button.
Take it slow
You may notice your baby becoming irritable or fussy at the end of the day. This is normal. It could be that your baby is just overwhelmed by all the new sights and sounds. (There's a lot to take in even if your home is relatively calm.)
A baby's heart rate and sucking patterns actually change when he or she encounters a new sound. When you see your baby getting agitated, arrange for some quiet time – a massage, snuggle, or rocking – to help soothe your baby.