Newborn Week 6: What to Expect
Your baby's development, feeding, sleep, your postpartum body, mental health, and what to watch for this week.
What your baby looks like at week 6
Baby is filling out. Birth-weight × 1.5 by week 6 isn't unusual. Eyes are alert during wake windows. Cheeks fill in. Many babies are smiling consistently when spoken to.
Baby's development this week
Social smile is reliable. May briefly hold head at 45° during tummy time. Following objects 180°. Cooing is consistent. Brief "conversations" — coo, pause, you respond, they coo back. Hands often in fists; may briefly clasp them at midline. Some babies discover their hands this week.
Feeding at week 6
7–9 feeds per 24. Growth spurt typically settles by end of week 6. Breastfed babies often take 20–25 minutes per feed; some "snackers" still take 30–40. Formula babies 4–5 oz per feed. Most babies are taking a consistent volume that's predictable to you.
Sleep this week
13–16 hours per 24. Wake windows 90 minutes typical. Some babies start a 6–8 hour stretch at night this week (the "false promise" of a future longer night). Naps are still inconsistent, often in motion. Continue safe sleep practices; if swaddled, transition to one-arm-out by 8 weeks unless rolling earlier.
How your body is doing
6-week postpartum visit is THIS WEEK for most. Bring a list: lochia status, sex/contraception, mental health, breastfeeding (if applicable), pelvic floor, anything weird. Don't downplay symptoms. If you're not asked about mood, bring it up. The visit was historically the only postpartum touchpoint; many practices now offer earlier 2-week and ongoing care.
Your mental health this week
6-week mental-health screening — most OBs do an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at this visit. Be honest. Score of 10+ warrants follow-up. If you've been white-knuckling for weeks, this is the time to say so out loud.
When to call the pediatrician
Same as previous weeks. Spit-up that's projectile, green, or causing weight-loss/refusal-to-feed warrants a call.
Survival tips for week 6
Tummy time 3–5x daily for 5 minutes each (build to 10 min by week 12). Talk to baby during diaper changes. Read picture books out loud (board books). Take a longer walk if cleared. If returning to work soon, start building a pump stash now (2–3 oz per day banked is plenty if combined with daycare-day pumping).
For your partner
If mom is returning to work in coming weeks, take on more of the household admin (daycare paperwork, schedule logistics). Acknowledge the weight of the return — even if she's "ready," it's an emotional event.
Pediatric visits this week
6-week postpartum visit for mom (not baby — baby's 2-month visit is at week 8 or 9).
Gear focus
Consider: a structured travel system if you haven't, a bouncer-style seat (NOT for sleep), the start of bottle-feeding setup if returning to work.
Is this normal?
If your baby is reliably smiling but you're not feeling joyful — keep prioritizing your own care. Bonding deepens with rest and self-care, not in spite of them.
Track your baby's wake windows
Newborn wake windows are short and shift weekly. The free Wake Windows Calculator gives you the right window for any age and helps prevent overtired meltdowns.
Open the calculator →