Spitting Up
For infants, spitting up is a normal part of life. Many babies spit up a
lot. Most likely this happens because of the way a baby develops.
The muscle that closes the feeding tube from the baby’s mouth to his
stomach is still developing in infants. It may be weak. As a result, even
a tiny burp can cause small amounts of stomach contents to come
back up.
If your baby is usually happy and gaining weight, you should not be
concerned about his spitting up.
You should see your doctor if your baby:
is vomiting
has diarrhea
has trouble breathing
has lost weight
has a loss of appetite
Nearly half of all healthy infants under one year of age spit up two or
more times a day.
Label: Your One Month Old
Feeding Your Baby
Your breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. Breastfeeding is
natural. It can be easier than formula feeding. Breast milk helps
protect your baby from sickness. Breastfeeding helps your body get
back to normal after pregnancy. It may help you lose weight.
Your baby will let you know when he is ready to nurse. He will put his
hands toward his mouth. He will make sucking sounds, whimper and
bend and unbend his arms and hands. He will move his fist to his
mouth. He will nuzzle against your breast. If he doesn’t start feeding
soon after doing these things, he will start crying. Use these signs
instead of a clock to set his feeding times. Feed him before he starts
crying. Feed him every two to three hours. It’s a good idea to switch
breasts in the middle of a feeding.
Your baby will let you know when it is time to stop feeding. He will
relax. He will stop sucking the breast. He will refuse to take the breast
if you offer it again. Your baby should make soft swallowing sounds
while feeding.
Your breast should feel softer after the feeding. Milk may leak from the
other breast while feeding.
Women who breastfeed should eat nutritious foods. They should drink
lots of water. They should relax during breastfeeding.
You will know your baby is getting plenty to eat if he has at least seven
to 10 very wet diapers a day (using regular absorbency diapers). You
can expect your baby to have two to three bowel movements every
day.
You can breastfeed your baby after you return to work or school. You
can breastfeed your baby even if he is in a day-care center. You can
breastfeed right before leaving your baby at day care. You can
breastfeed right after picking up your baby. If your day care is nearby,
you can breastfeed your baby during your lunch break.
You can learn how to pump your milk and store it in a bottle. Your milk
is good for about 48 hours in the refrigerator. It lasts two to three
months in the freezer. You can leave the bottles with the day-care
center to feed your baby when you can’t be there.
To learn more about breastfeeding, you may want to contact your local
health department, WIC clinic, hospital, La Leche League or doctor.
You can call La Leche League at 1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site
at www.lalecheleague.org/.
If you use infant formula to feed your baby, be sure to follow
directions for mixing. He will take two to three ounces of formula every
couple of hours. As he grows, he will take more at each feeding. He
will also go longer between feedings.
Label: Your One Month Old
The Wonders of the Brain
Your baby is flexible in how he grows and learns. His brain is growing
and changing, also. The things your baby sees, hears and does help
him to learn and to get interested in the people and things around him.
Your baby’s brain has come into the world ready to absorb all sorts of
good things. Your baby is learning to be a person. You are learning to
be his parent. Learning to pay attention and to respond to each other
will help you both.
Since birth, your baby has been taking in information. He learns from
what he sees, hears, smells and touches. After babies see or hear
something many times, they can remember whether they have seen or
heard it before. This is the way they learn.
Your baby’s brain grows and changes in important ways every day.
The experiences your baby has are important for these changes. Some
parts of the brain are most important for learning. Some parts are
important for remembering new things. These parts will continue to
grow and change as your baby learns new things.
We know that responding to your baby in a loving and attentive way
helps him learn. Talk to your baby. Provide him with a variety of
experiences that help him explore his world safely.
Label: Your One Month Old
One-Month Checkup: Where To Go
Try to find a doctor you like and trust. It helps if your baby sees the
same doctor or nurse every time. That makes it easier to keep track of
your baby’s needs.
If you don’t know where to take your baby for care, call your local
health department. The phone number is in the “government” listings
of the phone book. You can also ask a local hospital.
Ask a close friend or relative who has children whom she takes her
children to for health care. Ask if she really likes her children’s doctor
and if the doctor is good at taking time to explain things and answer
questions.
If you are eligible for Medicaid, your baby can get free checkups. You
can call your local social welfare, health or family services office to see
if you qualify for Medicaid services.
If you don’t have health insurance for your baby, you can learn about
resources in your state by calling the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services’ Insure Kids Now program at 1-877-KIDSNOW. You
can also visit their Web site at www.insurekidsnow.gov for more
information about free or low-cost health insurance for children. Many
public libraries offer free access to the Internet and provide help for
first-time users.
One way to notice changes in your baby’s health is to keep a record.
You can keep a health notebook. Write down your baby’s length and
weight as he grows. Write down things like your baby’s schedule for
shots and checkups. Write down dates of illnesses, and describe the
symptoms. Ask for a copy of your child’s shot record. You will need to
have this shot record when your child starts day care, Head Start or
school.
Label: Your One Month Old
One-Month Checkup
Soon after you come home from the hospital, you should call to set up
a checkup for your baby. This checkup may take place any time from
two to four weeks after your baby is born. If your baby doesn’t seem
to be doing well before your first appointment, don’t wait. Call the
doctor or the clinic.
The checkup is a good time for you to ask questions. Before the visit, it
is a good idea to write down questions and bring them with you.
You can ask the doctor what to have in the house in case of small
accidents or mild illness. Ask what to do if something serious happens.
Ask your doctor about what to do if your baby chokes or stops
breathing. Knowing this can help you save your baby if he gets into
difficulty.
Always keep your doctor’s phone number where you can find it. This
number should be on a list of emergency phone numbers that you can
find quickly.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers’ (AAPCC) poison
control hotline, 1-800-222-1222, should also be on your list. If your
baby has eaten a harmful substance, call and get help. Be prepared to
tell about your baby’s symptoms and what has been eaten. To learn
more, you can visit the AAPCC Web site at www.aapcc.org/.
The one-month checkup helps the doctor see changes in your baby.
The doctor can find problems your baby is having. Finding problems
now can help prevent more serious problems as your baby grows.
In the first year, your baby will have a number of checkups. At most of
them, he will receive shots. Be sure to ask the doctor what reaction
your baby might have from the shots.
Your baby may need more testing or he may need to be treated if your
doctor finds signs of a possible problem. Your doctor may refer you to
another doctor. If so, get a copy of your baby’s medical records to take
with you. Or ask your doctor to make sure the other doctor will get a
copy of them. Be sure you understand why your doctor is
recommending more tests or sending your child to another doctor.
Write down the doctor’s description of the possible problem in words
you understand and also have him write out the exact words in
“doctor’s language” so you can communicate with the next doctor you
see.
Your doctor will talk to you about what to expect with your child. The
doctor will tell you when your baby needs to come in again.
What happens at the checkup?
Your doctor will ask you questions. The questions will be about how
things are with you and the baby.
The doctor will ask about your baby’s eating habits. He will also ask
how often your baby has a wet or dirty diaper.
The doctor will ask about your baby’s sleeping habits.
The doctor will ask about your baby’s behavior and development.
Your doctor will give your baby a physical exam.
Your baby’s clothes will be taken off.
He will be weighed. Your baby’s length and head size will be
measured.
Your baby’s vision and hearing will be tested.
Your baby’s blood will also be tested.
Label: Your One Month Old
You and Your Baby
During the first month of your baby’s life, you and your baby spend a
lot of time getting to know each other. Your baby will spend most of
his time sleeping. You will spend most of your time learning the best
way to meet your baby’s needs. Sometimes, you may feel tired and
nervous. These feelings are a signal that you need to take care of
yourself. Here are some ways to do it:
Make sure you get enough sleep. Take a nap when your baby does.
If you can’t, try to spend some time relaxing.
Keep your home as quiet and calm as possible. Turn off your radio
and TV. This will help calm your baby.
Simplify housework. Just do the basics. Older children can help
dust, pick up toys, sweep the floor and wash dishes. Dad or other
family members can help, too.
Be sure to eat nutritious food. If you are breastfeeding, avoid
alcohol and limit caffeine. Avoid drinking more than two to three
cups of coffee a day.
Simplify your meals. Nutritious salads, soups and sandwiches are
quick and easy to prepare.
Make some time for yourself. Take a hot bath to relax or do some
reading. You can look forward to taking a break when you are
stressed.
Enjoy spending time with your baby. You can put your baby in a
sling, backpack or stroller and take a walk through a mall or a park.
Be sure that your baby is safely secured in these devices. Never
leave your baby unattended in a stroller.
Do something you enjoy. If you breastfeed, you can read while
nursing your baby.
Call a relative or friend if you have questions or when you are
feeling stressed. Talking to someone who has had similar
experiences and feelings can help you.
Label: Your One Month Old
Information Resources for Families
Families who are enrolled in the WIC program (Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) can get
information on breastfeeding and nutrition at the local WIC office.
Families eligible for WIC receive nutrition counseling and supplemental
foods such as milk and cereal. To find the WIC office nearest you, call
your state health department or visit the WIC Web site at
www.fns.usda.gov/wic/.
For information about early childhood education initiatives, you may
contact the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit
the Web site at www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/teachingouryoungest/.
To learn about child care options, you may contact the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Aware by phone
at 1-800-424-2246 or visit their Web site at www.childcareaware.org/.
For more information and resources on postpartum depression,
breastfeeding, and many other women’s health issues call The National
Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 (1-
800-994-WOMAN).
Label: Your Newborn
Be Gentle When Bathing Your Baby
You can use your bathtub, kitchen sink or a plastic baby tub. Use
something to line the tub to keep your baby from slipping. If you
use a foam liner for a tub, it needs to be dried out after each use.
This prevents the growth of germs. Or you can line the tub with a
bath towel. Be sure to wash and dry it after each use.
Use a clean, damp washcloth, without soap, to wash her face.
Gently wash the outside and back of each ear and wash and dry
under her neck.
Don’t use bubble bath or detergents in the bathwater since these
may cause rashes.
Use damp cotton balls or cotton pads to gently wipe your baby’s
eyes before you put her in the tub. Be sure to support your baby’s
head when she is in the tub.
Wash your baby’s hair and scalp very gently, using soap or a baby
shampoo. Do this only once or twice a week. Rinse with a damp
cloth. Make sure that soapsuds don’t get into her eyes. Wash her
body, starting with the chest. After washing with a soapy washcloth,
rinse the washcloth and rinse her off. Pat your baby dry with a bath
towel. Always keep her covered and warm when she is wet.
Label: Your Newborn
Bathing Your Baby
Your baby needs sponge baths at first. Give your baby a sponge bath
until her umbilical cord or his circumcision, if any, is healed. After that,
your baby can have a tub bath.
Fill a bowl or basin with warm water: Use your wrist or elbow to check
the water to make sure it is just the right temperature. Be sure the
water is not too cold or too hot. Very hot water can be dangerous.
Take the bowl of warm water and a soft washcloth to the place where
you are going to bathe your baby.
Pick a place for bathing that is warm and not drafty. You don’t want
your baby to get chilled. You can put your baby on a bath towel in her
crib or any other flat surface. If you put your baby on a table, make
sure she cannot roll off. Do not leave your baby alone, not even for a
few seconds.
Take your baby’s clothes off. Put the washcloth in the warm water and
squeeze it out until it is just damp. Use the washcloth to gently wipe
your baby all over. Wipe her head and neck, behind her ears, and
between her fingers and toes.
Your newborn does not need to have a bath every day. Just clean her
face, neck and diaper area whenever they are dirty.
Label: Your Newborn
Preparing Your Baby’s Bath
Plan for your baby’s bath. Get everything ready before you start the
bath. This makes bathing your baby easier and safer.
If you can, turn down your water heater to 120 degrees. Babies can
get scalded easily. Fill the sink or tub you’re going to bathe your
baby in with warm water. Always test the water with your wrist or
elbow. The water should be comfortably warm, not hot.
Make sure you have everything you need for the bath. You can
keep mild soap, cotton balls and a clean diaper in a shoebox or
other container. Then you can bring the box in with the towel and
washcloth to the room where you bathe your baby. When
everything is ready, get your baby.
If you forget an item, you will have to carry your baby with you.
This is hard to do when the baby is wet and slippery.
Never leave your baby alone in water. It’s best not to answer the
phone or the doorbell during your baby’s bath. If you do, pick up
your baby and carry her with you. If your spouse, relatives or
friends call you often, let them know when your baby’s bath time is.
Tell them you won’t take phone calls at that time.
Label: Your Newborn
Babies Cry for Lots of Reasons
Crying is the way newborns communicate. Your new baby cries to let
you know she needs or wants something.
The first thing to try when she cries is to feed her. By noticing when
she wants to be fed and when she doesn’t, you will learn which cries
mean that she is hungry, uncomfortable or wants attention.
Sometimes she will want to be held. Sometimes she wants a dry
diaper. Sometimes she is tired or bored.
As you and your baby get to know each other, you will sometimes be
able to tell the difference between each kind of crying. You can then
try to give her what she needs.
Taking care of your baby when she cries will not spoil her. It will help
your baby feel loved and secure.
Smile, touch and talk to your baby as often as possible. Do this when
you feed her, change her diaper or give her a bath. Your baby will
learn that she can rely on you to take care of her.
Ways to Soothe Your Baby
Sometimes babies cry even when they have been fed, have clean
diapers and are healthy. If your baby is crying because she needs
comfort, there are many things you can do. Every baby is different.
Here are things you can try to find out what calms your baby down.
Rock your baby in your arms or while sitting in a rocking chair.
Stroke your baby’s head very gently, or lightly pat her back or
chest.
Make soft noises, such as cooing, to let your baby know you are
there and you care. Talk to your baby.
Softly sing to your baby or play soft music.
Wrap her up in a baby blanket (but not too tightly).
If your baby keeps crying after you have tried everything, stay calm.
Babies know when you are upset. No matter how stressed you are,
never shake your baby. Shaking your baby can cause blindness, brain
damage or even death. If you need a break, call a relative, neighbor or
friend to help. All babies cry. You will not be able to comfort your baby
every time. That does not mean you are a bad parent. Do the best you
can to comfort your baby.
Here’s a simple tip to help your baby cry less—carry her. Research
shows that babies who are carried more often don’t cry as much as
other babies.
Label: Your Newborn
Learning to Communicate
It will be months before your baby says her first word. But babies start
learning about language much earlier.
Even in the first few weeks after birth, your baby is learning about
language. Very young babies can tell the difference between speech
and other sounds. They can tell the difference between the voices of
men and the voices of women. They even know the voices of their own
mothers. A baby can tell the voice of her mother from the voices of
other women. Researchers think babies are able to do this because of
the way specific parts of their brains work.
Babies can also communicate long before they speak. They use
movements and sounds to let you know what they want or don’t want.
Some people refer to these as a baby’s “signals”.
Right now, your baby can tell you if she needs something by fussing or
crying. She can also let you know when she likes something or
someone by looking intently. Babies learn best how to tell parents
what they like or don’t like when they begin to see that parents
respond to them in positive ways.
Even before she can speak, you need to talk to your baby. Even
though there are differences among individuals, babies whose parents
talk to them talk sooner. They also have larger vocabularies. Talking to
babies gives them language skills that will help them learn more easily
when they get to school. Hearing words on the radio or TV is not very
helpful to babies learning language. Your baby benefits from having
you up close smiling, talking and singing.
Label: Your Newborn
Guide Your Baby Every Day
Babies learn by exploring the things around them. Show your baby
how to look at, listen to, touch or smell something new or different.
Hold your baby so she can see things. Help her hold objects like her
socks or a rattle. As she grows, give her safe objects to feel, shake or
put into her mouth.
Be your baby’s teacher. She will see how you react to things. When
you get excited about a toy or object, she’ll get excited too. As she
grows, show her how things work—for example, how doors open
and close. Talk about what you are doing. For example, “I am
putting the food in the pot to cook it.”
When a baby is learning something new, it helps her to try it again
and again. With your help and support this can be fun, and your
baby will like trying new things.
Protect your baby from harsh disapproval, teasing or punishment. A
baby doesn’t understand right from wrong. She doesn’t know what
things are dangerous for her to do. Watch her to keep her safe.
Remove her from situations where she can be hurt or injured.
Talk and sing to your baby. Even before she is able to speak, this
helps her develop language skills. Babies learn best when you talk
to them.
Read to your baby from the earliest months of her life and continue
this habit as she grows.
Babies Have People Skills, Too
From the start, your baby is interested in your face. She notices your
expressions and tone of voice. She reacts to your emotions. For
example, when you say something in a soft and loving way, she will
relax and feel more secure.
Scientists have learned that babies show emotions as early as when
they are one month old. Something else scientists have learned is that
feeling good helps babies learn better.
Why? Happy babies are more alert, attentive and responsive. Babies
remember things better when they are happy and at ease. The way
you hold and talk to your baby can help her feel happy.
Babies who are alert and feeling good are more likely to look at things,
explore and play. They will pay attention more. For example, they will
try to make new things happen with toys or make sounds with people.
This helps them learn and remember new things.
Brief periods of distress or difficulty will occur. These will not harm a
child. Short periods of negative emotions can be helpful for your baby.
You should do something quickly to help her feel better. From this she
will learn you care about what she tries to tell you. Long periods of
negative emotion, like crying, can do harm.
In the first month, the negative emotion that occurs is distress or a
response to pain. Later, she will show sadness and anger. Next comes
fear. All people have these emotions to protect themselves. Help your
baby be at ease with having emotions. Respond to her emotions in a
warm and loving way.
You can tell what your baby is feeling by changes in her facial
expression. You can also see what she is feeling by her posture,
movements and the sounds she makes.
Label: Your Newborn
Wonders of the Brain
Your baby’s brain started growing before birth. When she was born her
brain was about one-fourth its adult size. Your baby’s brain will grow
at its fastest until she is about three years old.
How a baby’s brain grows depends on many things. Some things are
inherited from parents. Others depend on your baby’s health, nutrition,
experiences and relationships. The way your baby’s brain develops
depends, in part, on what you say and do with her.
Your baby’s brain has many, many neurons or brain cells. The types of
activities your baby has with objects and people stimulate these
neurons. This allows the neurons to make important connections in the
brain. Everyday activities determine how these connections are
formed. Activities like holding and playing with toys or listening to
people talk are important.
This is why your child needs stimulation and play. She needs to know
you love her. She needs to be able to explore and find things out. She
needs you to talk to her and interact with her. These things will all help
the part of brain development that depends on experience.
How should you provide these experiences for your baby? There isn’t
any one answer. We do know that babies develop better:
When they hear language
When they have experiences with toys or objects
When they know that people love them and pay attention to them
What’s important is to find activities that you and your child enjoy
doing together. When you do this, you are not just having fun with
your baby. You are helping her brain grow.
Label: Your Newborn
Install Car Seats Carefully
Starting the day she is born, any time you take your baby anywhere in
a car, put her in a car safety seat. This is best for your baby, and all
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories
have child passenger safety laws.
Your baby will need different kinds of car safety seats as she grows.
Right now, she should be in one that is made for a newborn baby. The
safety seat should be placed in the back seat, facing the rear. Infants
should never be placed in the front seat.
Make sure the car safety seat fits your car. If it doesn’t, exchange it.
Make sure it is fastened in the car securely. Make sure the straps that
go around your baby fit her snugly.
Avoid used car seats since they may be damaged.
Make sure any safety seat you buy comes with directions on how to
install it. Make sure you understand the directions.
If you cannot afford a safety seat, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration can provide information on resources that help lowincome
families purchase or borrow child car seats. You may call them
at 1-800-424-9393 or visit their Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.
Label: Your Newborn
Keep a Memory Book
Start a memory book. It will be fun for you and your baby to look at as
she is growing up. You can use a scrapbook, a notebook or any book
with blank pages.
Save the front page of the newspaper from the day she was born. Your
child can look at it when she is older and find out all the things that
happened on that important day. Be sure to put in birth
announcements, too.
Write down all the great “firsts” for your baby. Things like the first time
she smiles, sits up, crawls, walks, talks or does anything else special.
Put in photos of your baby as she grows. When she gets older, you can
put in drawings she makes and, later, things she writes. You can write
down cute things she does and says, as well as things she learns and
what she likes and doesn’t like.
Write down dates and symptoms when your baby gets sick. Also write
down monthly weights and heights, and when each tooth comes in.
Keep track of your baby’s shots as well.
The memory book is a good record of your child’s early years. You and
your child can enjoy it together as she grows up. Later on, the book
will help her learn about her past.
Label: Your Newborn
Changing Baby’s Diaper
Get everything you need before changing your baby’s diaper. Once you
start changing, don’t take your eyes off your baby even for a second.
Babies wiggle and move. They can get hurt or fall in an instant.
To change your baby’s diaper:
It’s best to wash your hands before changing your newborn’s
diaper. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after each
diaper change, too.
Lay your baby on a clean surface. Take along a blanket or changing
pad when you go out.
Remove the dirty diaper.
Use a washcloth dipped in clean, lukewarm water. Wash all the area
on your baby that the diaper covers. Wipe from front to back to
avoid infection.
Every time you change a diaper, clean your baby’s umbilical cord.
Use a cotton swab that you have dipped in rubbing alcohol. Squeeze
it so that it is almost dry. Gently clean off the sticky stuff around
the cord where it touches your baby’s tummy. The cord will fall off
by itself in five to 10 days. Your baby may cry when you touch the
wet swab to the cord. Be gentle. Check with your doctor if your
baby cries at other times when you touch the cord. Check with your
doctor if the skin around the cord is red.
Now put a clean diaper on your baby. If you are using pins, put
your hand between the pin and your baby’s skin. Do not let the
diaper cover up the umbilical cord.
Newborns use about 10 diapers every day. Change them as soon as
they are wet. This can prevent rashes. Have a place to put the soiled
diapers and washcloths.
Label: Your Newborn
What’s It Like To Be a Newborn?
I need others to take care of me.
I can’t decide things for myself.
I need someone to love, feed, hold and play with me.
I like to feel warm, and I don’t like lots of noise.
I like to be held very gently and very close.
My face may be wrinkled, puffy or red, and I may have a large
head, but I’m normal.
I like to sleep a lot.
I am hungry every few hours.
I may be fussy and cry a lot.
I need my diapers changed as soon as they are wet or soiled.
Label: Your Newborn
Checkups and Shots
At checkups your baby will be given shots (immunizations). Your baby
will get her first shot in the hospital at birth. The shots help protect
your baby from diseases such as hepatitis, measles, mumps and
chicken pox. Your doctor can answer any questions you may have.
Without the shots, your baby can get sick and even die.
Some babies can get sick from the shots. Ask your doctor or nurse
what signs to look for after your baby gets a shot so you will know if
your baby needs medical care.
Keep a record or write down what happens at your baby’s checkups.
This record will help you and your doctor know about your baby’s
development and what is best for your baby. Be sure to ask your
doctor any questions you have about your baby’s health and growth.
Label: Your Newborn
Tips on Bottle Feeding
If you bottle feed your baby, ask your doctor what kind of formula is
best for her. There are three ways formula is sold:
Powdered formula is the cheapest. You have to mix the powder with
sterilized water.
Concentrated formula is a liquid, but it is thick and must be mixed
with sterilized
water. It costs more than powdered formula.
Ready-to-feed formula comes already mixed with water. It costs the
most but is the easiest to use.
Follow formula mixing instructions carefully. There is a date on the
formula. Don't use the formula after this date. The formula will not be
safe to give to your baby after this date.
Wash reusable bottles made of plastic or glass. Also wash all
equipment used to prepare formula. Use hot soapy water. Rinse the
bottles in clean tap water. Then boil them five minutes in a covered
pot or sterilizer.
To prepare formula, boil water for five minutes and cool it before
mixing it with powdered or concentrated formula. If you are using
bottles with disposable liners, throw away the liner after use. Store
prepared formula in the refrigerator and use it within 48 hours.
Heat a bottle of formula by running hot water over it. Never heat
formula in the microwave. It can get too hot. Check the temperature
by shaking a few drops on your wrist. When it feels warm (not hot) on
your wrist, it is cool enough to give to your baby.
When feeding your baby, hold her head a little higher than her tummy.
Hold the bottom of the bottle up so that the nipple stays full of
formula. This way, your baby doesn't swallow air and spit up. Never
prop the bottle, because your baby could choke. Always hold your
baby while you feed her. Throw out any formula left in the bottle after
a feeding.
Feeding time is more than just satisfying your baby’s hunger. It is also
a time to bond with and get to know your infant. Dad, grandparents
and other family members can bond too by feeding and cuddling the
baby.
Label: Your Newborn
Breast Milk Is Best for Your Baby
Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. It is the only food your
baby needs during her first six months. A baby is not ready for other
foods, except formula, during the first few months of life.
A breastfed baby usually doesn’t need water. However, you may give
her water if the weather is hot and your home is not air-conditioned.
Don’t add sugar or honey to the water. Don’t give flavored drinks or
soda pop to your baby. Don’t give fruit juice to a newborn baby.
Breast milk is best for your baby’s health. Breastfed babies don’t get
sick as often, and they usually don’t have as many allergies. They may
even be smarter! Also, breastfeeding seems to protect mothers from
certain types of health problems.
Mothers often find that breast milk is the easiest way to feed their
babies. Also, there is no cost.
You don’t have to wash and sterilize bottles and nipples when you
breastfeed. This leaves more time for other things. Breastfeeding your
baby can even help you lose some of the weight you gained when you
were pregnant. Breastfeeding can be a pleasing experience for baby
and mom.
Breastfeeding Is Natural
Babies need to eat often — every 90 minutes to two hours. Feed your
baby when she begins to show signs of hunger, such as rooting or
sucking on her lips, fingers or fist. Try to feed her before she cries.
Feeding your baby often won’t spoil her. It will help you learn to
become more aware of your baby’s needs.
Don’t limit feeding times. Babies need different amounts of food at
different times of the day, just as grown people do.
Relax! Take your time. The more you nurse your baby, the more milk
you will have. Do not give your baby formula or water. If you do, you
will make less milk. If you think you do not have enough milk, nurse
more often and nurse longer.
To learn more about breastfeeding, you may want to contact your local
health department, WIC clinic, hospital, La Leche league or doctor. You
can call La Leche league at 1-800-LALECHE, or visit their Web site at
www.lalecheleague.org/.
Breastfeeding is natural, but it takes a little time for babies and
mothers to learn what works best for them. You may have sore nipples
when you first start breastfeeding. The pain can be reduced if your
baby is held properly when attached to the breast.
Here are some useful tips:
Hold your baby’s tummy to your tummy, baby’s chin to your breast.
You can do this sitting or lying down. Hold your breast in a “C-hold,”
with your thumb on top and fingers underneath. Tickle your baby’s
lips with your nipple until her mouth opens wide. Quickly bring her
onto the breast. Allow the tip of your baby’s nose and chin to touch
the breast.
Make sure your baby’s mouth covers your entire nipple and much of
the darker part around the nipple. Your baby’s upper and lower lips
should be rolled out. If the lips are not rolled out, break the suction
by slipping your finger between the baby’s gums and your breast.
Then latch the baby on again.
Offer your baby both breasts at each feeding. Your baby will tell you
when she is finished by “falling off” the breast.
After feeding, rub a few drops of breast milk onto your nipples. Let
them air dry. Then cover the nipple with nursing pads, a bra or
clothing. This will help keep them from getting too dry.
Your nipples may be tender in the first few days of breastfeeding. This
is common. By and large, tenderness goes away once the milk begins
to flow. If you have a lot of pain, call a breastfeeding counselor or your
doctor. Your doctor or counselor can also help if you have cracked or
bleeding nipples. If it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t right.
If you are out with your baby, you can still breastfeed. You may want
to take along a receiving blanket or shawl with which to cover up.
If you have to be away from your baby, you can still give her breast
milk. You can withdraw or “express” breast milk by hand or with a
breast pump into a sterile container. Then someone else can give it to
her in a bottle.
It is important for you to have adequate, high-quality nutrition and
drink enough water. You should avoid drugs while breastfeeding unless
the doctor specifically tells you to take a certain medication even
though you are breastfeeding.
Label: Your Newborn
Your Baby Should Sleep on Her Back
You want to keep your baby safe when she sleeps. Most babies are
healthy and have no problems when sleeping. But sometimes babies
die in their sleep. This is called Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
or crib death. Doctors have not found out what causes SIDS.
Research shows that babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to
die from SIDS. If your baby has a health problem, your doctor may tell
you to put her in another position. Otherwise, always put your baby to
sleep on her back.
Other factors in lowering the danger of SIDS are:
Breastfeeding–Your breast milk is the perfect food for your baby.
Breast milk helps protect your baby from many illnesses, as well as
SIDS.
Smoke-free environment–Don’t smoke around your baby. Don’t
take her around others who smoke. Babies in smoke-free homes
have fewer colds and infections.
Closeness–Keep your sleeping baby nearby. It’s good for your baby
to learn to sleep in her own crib. Be sure you can hear her if she
cries or is in distress.
Bedding–Be sure your baby is sleeping on a firm mattress. Don’t
put your baby to sleep on soft or fluffy things, such as a pillow, quilt
or waterbed. Keep stuffed animals out of the crib at sleep time.
Temperature–Make sure your baby is warm but not too hot.
Doctor visits–Take your baby in for her regular checkups. Any time
your baby seems sick or has trouble breathing, take her to the
doctor or clinic.
Label: Your Newborn
The Baby Blues
(Take Time for Yourself)
Some new mothers go through what is known as the “baby blues,” or
postpartum blues.
This happens because your body goes through many changes during
pregnancy. These “blue” feelings may happen to you before your baby
is born or afterward.
You may feel discouraged or tense, or feel like crying over little things
that would not usually bother you. Don't worry. These feelings are
common. They won’t last forever.
You may also have trouble sleeping. If you do, at least take time to
rest. You are under a lot of stress. Getting some rest may help you
handle your feelings.
It may help to talk about your feelings with others. Talk with family
and friends. You can find out if there are any parent groups in your
community. Or contact the National Mental Health Association for a list
of local affiliates at 1-800-969-NMHA or visit their Web site at
www.nmha.org/. Churches and religious organizations in your
community may be able to help you find someone to talk to. You may
also want to talk to your doctor.
If you have friends or family who will help you with meals, housework
or shopping, now is the time to ask them. It is also a good time to let
your baby's father help out.
Label: Your Newborn
A Special Word to Fathers
As a father, you have an important role to play in taking care of your
baby. Your baby needs you. And mom needs you to share many of the
responsibilities of taking care of your new baby. When you do things
with your baby, you and your baby get closer. You and your baby form
a bond that helps her feel safe and happy.
You may feel nervous around a newborn. Or you may be afraid to
touch your baby because you have never done it before. The best way
for you to get over the uneasiness is to hold your baby.
Here are some things you can do to be a part of your baby’s life. You
will find that the more you do with her, the more comfortable you will
be.
Hold and cuddle your baby.
Smile and laugh with your baby.
Talk to your baby. Your baby will quickly learn your voice and know
that you are her daddy.
Change your baby’s diapers.
Cuddle with mom and your baby during breastfeeding.
When mom’s breast milk or formula has been put in a bottle, you
can give your baby the bottle. Cuddle with and talk and sing to your
baby during bottle time.
Take your baby for a walk. Babies love the sights and sounds of the
outdoors.
Play with your baby.
Label: Your Newborn
Your Baby Depends on You for Checkups
Your baby needs medical checkups during her first days, weeks and
months so the doctor can see if she is growing right. The way your
baby grows in her first year can affect her health for life.
Checkups are a normal and important thing for babies. Even though
your baby seems healthy, she should get checkups at one to two
weeks of age, and at two, four, six, nine, and 12 months of age.
Your baby's first visit to the doctor will be a week or two after birth.
Ask your doctor for the results of the hearing screening if it was done
in the hospital. If a hearing test was not done, ask your doctor for a
referral for the test. You need to know as soon as possible if your baby
has hearing problems. If she does, she may need special help now so
she can communicate with people. This will help her when she learns
to talk and read.
At each checkup, the doctor or nurse will:
Examine your baby's head, eyes, ears, heart, lungs and other body
parts
Measure your baby's length, weight and head size
Ask about your baby’s hearing and vision
Ask you questions about how she eats, sleeps and acts
Give you information about how a baby develops and grows
Label: Your Newborn
Newborn Reflexes
Babies have special reflexes that last only a few months. It helps to
know what the reflexes are so you are not alarmed when they occur.
The following reflexes are normal for newborns:
Moro or “startle” reflex: This occurs when your baby's head shifts
position quickly. Or when her head falls backward. Or when your
baby is startled by something loud. She will react by throwing out
her arms and legs and extending her neck. Your baby will then
quickly bring her arms together. She may cry when doing this. This
reflex should go away after two months.
Rooting reflex: This is how your baby hunts for her mother's breast.
If you gently stroke the side of her cheek with your finger, she will
turn her head toward your finger. This lasts for three to four
months.
Grasp reflex: Your baby will clench her fist around anything pressed
into the palm of her hand. You can show this to a big brother or
sister. Say, “The baby wants to hold on to your finger.” This reflex
goes away at five to six months.
Stepping reflex: If you hold a newborn baby upright under her arms
with her feet on a hard surface, her feet will make a stepping
action. This happens even though it is a long time before she is
ready to stand or walk. This usually lasts a couple of months.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about your baby's reflexes.
Label: Your Newborn
What a Healthy Newborn Looks Like
Newborn babies don't usually look like the cute babies in diaper ads.
Newborns' heads are often more pointed than round. Their skin may
be wrinkly and reddish in color. This is normal.
In the center of your baby's head is a “soft spot” where the skull bones
have not yet joined. This allows your baby's head to be flexible during
the birthing process. The skull bones will grow together to cover this
spot as your baby grows. Meantime, the soft spot allows your baby's
brain to grow.
Sometimes there are dark red patches on the baby's eyelids. They can
also be on the bridge of the nose or back of the neck. No one knows
what causes these. They usually go away during the first year.
Some babies are born bald, some have thin hair, and others are born
with thick, dark hair. For many babies, this first hair rubs off. For
others, the color may change.
Eye color can also change after birth. Eye color is usually set by the
end of the first year.
The umbilical cord that is left on the navel at birth will drop off in five
to 10 days. The place where it falls off will become your baby’s belly
button.
Sometimes baby girls bleed from the vagina. Sometimes boys or girls
will have swollen breasts. They may even produce a few drops of milk
at birth. Hormones from the mother cause this. The discharge is
harmless and will soon disappear.
Label: Your Newborn
Newborn Health Screening
Your baby is tested for certain medical conditions when she is born.
Many conditions can be treated if they are found early enough. Early
treatment means your baby can grow up healthier.
Newborn tests are given in the hospital right after birth. The tests are
given again at your baby's first checkup.
The second series of tests is important. It must be done one or two
weeks after the first tests. Be sure to take your baby to the doctor or
clinic for this second series of tests. At this visit, your doctor will also
check other things to make sure your baby is doing fine.
A small amount of your baby’s blood will be taken. It will be tested and
you will be told if there is any cause for concern.
Your doctor or nurse can answer questions about the tests.
If you don’t have health insurance for your baby, you can learn about
resources in your state by contacting the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services’ Insure Kids Now Program.
To learn more, call 1-877-KIDSNOW or visit their Web site at
www.insurekidsnow.gov/.
Label: Your Newborn
Congratulations on Your New Baby!
You have a new baby, and you are a proud parent. Do you sometimes
feel excited but also a little nervous about taking care of your new
baby? Then you are like most parents. Even in the first days of life,
your baby is starting to find out who you are.
Research has found that very young babies know the difference
between their parents and strangers. There are many changes that
take place and new things to learn when you become a parent. It
doesn't happen overnight. Be patient with yourself. The love you have
for your baby will help you learn to become a good parent. Just as no
two babies are exactly alike, no one takes care of a baby in exactly the
same way. Be a loving parent. Do your best. Enjoy your baby! Ask
questions if you need help.
Label: Your Newborn
