First weeks after birth

First Weeks After Birth in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The first weeks at home with your newborn in Grand Rapids can feel exciting, emotional, and exhausting all at once. Every family’s experience is different. Your baby will change from day to day, and your body will still be recovering from pregnancy and childbirth. As you adjust to life as a new parent, you’ll gradually find routines that work for your family and gain confidence in your skills.

In West Michigan—where winters are cold, roads can be icy, and flu and RSV are common in colder months—it’s especially important to plan ahead for support, rest, and easy access to healthcare.

Building Your Support System in Grand Rapids

Accepting help in the first few weeks after birth is not a luxury—it’s a health need.

If you gave birth at a local hospital such as Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health, your care team will usually provide discharge instructions and follow-up plans. Whether you had your baby in the hospital or at home with a midwife, try to arrange for extra help at home for the first days and weeks, especially if you:

Are parenting on your own
Have limited support from extended family or a partner
Have other young children at home
Had a cesarean birth or a complicated delivery

Keep Important Phone Numbers Handy

Post a list of contacts near your phone and save them in your cell phone, including:

Your OB/GYN or family doctor
Your baby’s pediatrician
Your delivering hospital (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
Kent County Health Department: (616) 632-7100
Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids resources (check the city website for current numbers)
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Emergency: 911

These contacts are especially important in winter when driving conditions in Grand Rapids can be difficult and illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV are more common.

Postnatal Checkups and Newborn Visits

In Michigan, ongoing care after birth is shared between your hospital team, your OB/GYN or midwife, and your baby’s pediatrician.

Your Postnatal Check (6–8 Weeks)

Plan a postpartum checkup with your Grand Rapids OB/GYN or family doctor about 6–8 weeks after birth. This visit is a good time to talk about:

Vaginal or cesarean healing
Bleeding, pain, or incontinence
Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
Sleep, fatigue, and support at home
Birth control options and sexual health

Your Baby’s First Pediatric Visits

Most babies in Grand Rapids will see a pediatrician or family doctor:

Within a few days after hospital discharge
Several times in the first weeks and months
At 2 months for routine vaccinations

You can schedule these visits with pediatric practices affiliated with Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or independent clinics in the Grand Rapids area.

Birth Registration, Insurance, and Paperwork (U.S. / Michigan)

Birth Registration in Michigan

When your baby is born in Michigan, the hospital or midwife will provide a birth certificate worksheet. The hospital typically files the birth record electronically with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) – Vital Records.

You can then order an official Michigan birth certificate through MDHHS or the Kent County Clerk’s Office. Having a birth certificate is important for:

Health insurance
Social Security number
Future school enrollment and travel

Health Insurance and Pediatric Coverage

After birth, contact:

Your health insurance company (private or employer-based)
Medicaid (if applicable)
Your baby’s pediatrician’s office to confirm coverage

You can usually apply for your baby’s Social Security number during the hospital stay. Also explore:

Paid family leave options through your employer
State and federal benefits if you qualify (e.g., WIC, SNAP, Medicaid)
Childcare assistance or early childhood programs available in Kent County

Because childcare centers in the Grand Rapids area can have waiting lists, consider:

Calling local daycare centers, in-home providers, or church-based programs early
Adding your baby to waitlists if you know you’ll be returning to work

Taking Care of Yourself After Birth

Rest and Housework

Caring for a newborn is demanding, especially if your partner works long hours, travels, or you’re parenting solo. In the first weeks:

Say yes to offers of help with meals, laundry, cleaning, or errands
Focus your energy on rest, feeding your baby, and recovery
Let non-essential housework wait

As your body heals, your energy should gradually return—but it may take weeks or months to feel like yourself again, especially after a Michigan winter pregnancy and delivery.

Healthy Postnatal Weight Loss

Healthy weight loss after pregnancy is gradual. Support your recovery by:

Eating regular, balanced meals with protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Drinking plenty of water—especially important if you’re breastfeeding and during dry winter months
Taking short walks when your doctor says it’s safe (indoor malls or community centers are useful in cold or icy weather)

Local resources in the Grand Rapids area may include:

Community wellness programs through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health, or Metro Health
Kent County Health Department nutrition and WIC services
Local YMCA or community centers with postpartum-friendly classes

Bleeding, Periods, and Body Changes

Return of Menstruation

Every body is different:

If you are not breastfeeding, your period may return within a few weeks to a couple of months.
If you are breastfeeding, your period may not return for several months or longer.

You can still get pregnant even if your period has not returned, so talk with your Grand Rapids provider about birth control options that are safe while breastfeeding.

Urinary and Bowel Changes

Accidental urine leakage or changes in bowel control after birth are common, especially after a vaginal delivery.

Pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and bowel.
You can usually start gentle pelvic floor exercises soon after birth (unless your doctor advises otherwise, such as after a complicated cesarean).

If you are still having problems after about 6 weeks, ask your doctor for a referral to a:

Women’s health physical therapist
Urogynecologist or continence specialist

Several specialists and pelvic floor physical therapists practice in the Grand Rapids / West Michigan area.

Intimacy and Contraception

It is normal to feel too tired, sore, or emotionally drained to think about sex in the first weeks or even months after birth.

Over time, as:

Bleeding has stopped
Pain has improved
You feel emotionally ready
Your partner is supportive and comfortable

your interest in intimacy usually returns. You do not have to wait until the 6-week check to resume sex if you feel ready and your doctor has no concerns, but many people prefer to wait until after that visit.

Remember:

You can become pregnant as early as 3 weeks after delivery, even if you are breastfeeding and have not had a period.
Discuss contraception with your OB/GYN, midwife, or family planning clinic in Grand Rapids. Options may include pills, IUDs, implants, condoms, or other methods that are safe while breastfeeding.

Caring for Your Newborn

Umbilical Cord Care

Your baby’s umbilical cord stump should dry and fall off naturally within the first few weeks.

Keep the area clean and dry.
If needed, clean gently with a cotton swab and cooled, boiled water or as your pediatrician advises.

Contact your pediatrician or visit a local urgent care or emergency department (e.g., Spectrum Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health) if the cord area:

Becomes red, swollen, or warm
Starts to bleed, ooze, or smell foul

Newborn Sleep in Grand Rapids Homes

Most newborns sleep 14–20 hours per day, but not all at once. Their sleep cycles are short—about 40 minutes—and they often wake every 2–3 hours to feed.

Safe Sleep Tips

Young babies are safest sleeping:

On their back
On a firm, flat mattress
In a crib, bassinet, or pack-and-play that meets safety standards
In the same room as their parents for at least the first 6 months

Be especially careful with extra blankets and soft bedding in winter—keep your baby warm, but avoid overheating and loose items in the sleep space.

If you bed-share, talk with your provider about how to reduce risks and follow safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Learning Your Baby’s Tired Signs

Over time you’ll learn your baby’s cues, such as:

Yawning
Rubbing eyes
Looking away or losing interest
Fussing

Try to create a simple, predictable calming routine (feed, cuddle, dim lights) before sleep, even if a strict schedule isn’t possible yet.

Crying and Soothing Your Baby

Babies cry to communicate needs like hunger, discomfort, or tiredness. Many babies:

Increase their crying up to around 6–8 weeks of age
Gradually cry less by about 3 months

If your baby is fed, changed, safe, and still crying:

Hold, rock, or wear your baby in a carrier
Try white noise, gentle motion, or a warm (not hot) bath
Go for a short walk if weather and sidewalks are safe

If you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or angry:

Make sure your baby is safe in their crib or bassinet.
Step away for a few minutes.
Call a friend, partner, or family member, or use a helpline for support.

Never shake a baby. If you’re at your limit, it’s okay to put your baby down in a safe place and take a break.

Feeding Your Baby: Breastfeeding and Bottle-Feeding

Breastfeeding Support in Grand Rapids

Breastfeeding does not always come naturally, and many parents need help in the first weeks.

Local support options include:

Hospital-based lactation consultants at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
WIC breastfeeding support through the Kent County Health Department
Local La Leche League or breastfeeding support groups
Private IBCLC lactation consultants in the Grand Rapids area

Ask for help early if you experience:

Painful latch or cracked nipples
Concerns about milk supply
A sleepy baby who won’t stay awake to feed
A baby who isn’t gaining weight

Mastitis

Mastitis is inflammation or infection of the breast, often from a blocked milk duct. Symptoms include:

Sore, painful, red, or firm area on the breast
Flu-like symptoms: body aches, chills
Fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher)

If you notice these symptoms:

Keep breastfeeding or pumping from the affected breast
Apply warm compresses before feeding and gently massage the area
Call your doctor or an urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids—you may need antibiotics

Reflux and Spitting Up

Reflux (spitting up small amounts of milk after feeds) is very common in newborns.

Many babies are “happy spitters” and continue to gain weight normally.
Keep your baby upright for 20–30 minutes after feeding if possible.

Call your pediatrician if:

Your baby vomits large amounts frequently
Vomit is green, yellow, or bloody
Your baby is not gaining weight or seems very uncomfortable

When to Call for Help: Warning Signs for Parents

Contact your Grand Rapids doctor, urgent care, or go to the nearest emergency department (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health) if you experience:

Sudden and excessive vaginal bleeding
Persistent heavy bleeding or passing large clots
Faintness, dizziness, heart palpitations, or very rapid pulse
Fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
Severe abdominal pain or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Severe headache with vision changes, nausea, or vomiting
Calf pain, redness, or swelling (possible blood clot)
Shortness of breath or chest pain
Red, hot, or very painful breasts
Cracked or bleeding nipples that don’t improve
Painful urination, loss of bladder control, or burning when you pee
New or worsening pain in your belly or vaginal area

Call 911 if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, or feel you might harm yourself or your baby.

Mental Health After Birth: Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression

Baby Blues

Up to 80% of new mothers experience “baby blues” between days 3–10 after birth. You may feel:

Tearful or emotional
Irritable
Overwhelmed

These feelings usually improve within a few days and do not mean you are a bad parent.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Anxiety

Postpartum depression and anxiety are more serious and can develop anytime in the first 12 months after birth. Symptoms may include:

Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or frequent crying
Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope
Low self-esteem or guilt
Anxiety, panic attacks, or heart palpitations
Difficulty sleeping (even when baby sleeps)
Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy
Changes in appetite
Trouble concentrating or remembering things
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

If you notice these signs:

Talk with your partner, family, or trusted friend
Contact your OB/GYN, family doctor, or pediatrician in Grand Rapids
Ask for a referral to a therapist or counselor experienced in perinatal mental health

If you have thoughts of suicide or harming your baby, seek help immediately:

Call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department

Local Support and Parenting Resources in Grand Rapids

Medical and Public Health Resources

Kent County Health Department
- Phone: (616) 632-7100
- Services: WIC, vaccinations, breastfeeding support, maternal and child health programs
Grand Rapids area hospitals (for postpartum and newborn care):
- Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital
- Trinity Health Grand Rapids
- Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
- Mercy Health

Parenting Support and Helplines

Check locally for:

Hospital-run new parent classes, baby massage, and sleep/settling workshops
Moms’ groups and playgroups through churches, libraries, and community centers
Online and in-person postpartum support groups in West Michigan

You can also:

Call your pediatrician or OB/GYN office with questions about your or your baby’s health
Ask your provider about local postpartum doulas, home visiting programs, or peer support groups

Key Takeaways for New Parents in Grand Rapids, MI

Register your baby’s birth and add them to your health insurance as soon as possible.
Focus on rest and recovery—let others help with housework and errands.
Seek help early for breastfeeding challenges, pelvic floor issues, or pain.
Watch for warning signs in yourself and your baby, and don’t hesitate to call your doctor or 911 in an emergency.
Postpartum depression and anxiety are common and treatable—you are not alone, and support is available in Grand Rapids and across Michigan.

The first weeks after birth are an adjustment for every family. With support from local Grand Rapids healthcare providers, community resources, and people you trust, you can navigate this time more safely and confidently.