Coming to the realization that my sweet little baby isnt so little anymore and is quickly growing up, makes me think about all the things new parents need to know about newborns. So, for all you new mothers and fathers out there I have compiled a list of things you guys need to know about newborns!!
1. Babies look a little funny when they are first born! Babies have a tough journey through the birthing canal and therefore may have a smushed head, but no worries once his skull fuses together your baby will have the perfect rounded head. Your baby may be a little hairy due to being covered in fine little hairs called lanugo, but no worries this will all fall off after a few months.
2. Babies usually dont smile and coo until about 6 weeks old. So dont get dont if your little one doesnt show much appreciation to all the hard work they are putting you through! You will get the best toothless grin reward soon enough!
3. When your baby was born you, your significant other, or the doctor may have cut the cord that was bonding the two of you together for the last nine months. This was your babies life support, so it will take about two weeks for the rest of it to fall off. Until then though if you keep it dry and clean, with q-tips then it will heal up much faster. If the cord does get wet, just pat it dry. And dont freak out if it bleeds a little when the stump finally falls off, its just like a scab. This is normal.
4. Dont be afraid of your babies "soft spot". It is okay to touch it with gentle care. It does not hurt your baby when you touch it, comb it, or wash it. However, if you would have saw how the doctor was handling it while you were pushing, you would understand that it can handle some handling.
5. Dont worry about feeding your baby to much or to little, your baby will let you know when they are getting enough. Newborns lose 5 to 8 percent of the birth weight within in first week. However, she will gain it back quickly. Also, your babies diapers is an indicator of food intake, after the first 5 days, your baby should have 5-6 wet diapers and 1-2 messy ones.
6. Dry skin is very common in babies, if you soaked yourself in water for nine months and then introduced air, your skin would be dry as well. You dont have to do anything special when you see your baby has dry skin it will peel and flake off on its own. Other skin norms are little pink bumps, diaper rash, and baby acne.
7. You dont have to stay cooped up in your home when you bring baby home, live your normal life just be cautious when you take baby with you. Only allow touching to the feet. If you have older children let them be the germ police! (We took Kailee camping with Cody's dad the day we brought her home from the hospital, granted we stayed in the camper the whole time!)
8. Yes babies cry, alot! Babies cant talk the only way they can communicate with you is by crying. This is how they tell you they are hungry, cold, need a clean diaper, etc.
9. Babies need their sleep. They sleep alot but not for long periods of time. By three months of age is when most babies can sleep 6-8 hours at a time...hopefully at night. Your baby may have their nights and days mixed up. Dont let your baby sleep more than three hours at a time during the day without waking them up for feeding. At night let them sleep as long as they want, after they have reached their birth weight again.
10. The newborn stage goes by so fast! As I am realizing the time slips away just as quickly as it arrives. So, instead of worrying about every little things about your baby, enjoy the time that you can still cuddle with them and hold them in your arms, because before you know it, they will become independent and wont be able to be rocked to sleep in your arms!!
What do you miss about your little ones being newborns??
-Mommy to A Princess
1. Babies look a little funny when they are first born! Babies have a tough journey through the birthing canal and therefore may have a smushed head, but no worries once his skull fuses together your baby will have the perfect rounded head. Your baby may be a little hairy due to being covered in fine little hairs called lanugo, but no worries this will all fall off after a few months.
2. Babies usually dont smile and coo until about 6 weeks old. So dont get dont if your little one doesnt show much appreciation to all the hard work they are putting you through! You will get the best toothless grin reward soon enough!
3. When your baby was born you, your significant other, or the doctor may have cut the cord that was bonding the two of you together for the last nine months. This was your babies life support, so it will take about two weeks for the rest of it to fall off. Until then though if you keep it dry and clean, with q-tips then it will heal up much faster. If the cord does get wet, just pat it dry. And dont freak out if it bleeds a little when the stump finally falls off, its just like a scab. This is normal.
4. Dont be afraid of your babies "soft spot". It is okay to touch it with gentle care. It does not hurt your baby when you touch it, comb it, or wash it. However, if you would have saw how the doctor was handling it while you were pushing, you would understand that it can handle some handling.
5. Dont worry about feeding your baby to much or to little, your baby will let you know when they are getting enough. Newborns lose 5 to 8 percent of the birth weight within in first week. However, she will gain it back quickly. Also, your babies diapers is an indicator of food intake, after the first 5 days, your baby should have 5-6 wet diapers and 1-2 messy ones.
6. Dry skin is very common in babies, if you soaked yourself in water for nine months and then introduced air, your skin would be dry as well. You dont have to do anything special when you see your baby has dry skin it will peel and flake off on its own. Other skin norms are little pink bumps, diaper rash, and baby acne.
7. You dont have to stay cooped up in your home when you bring baby home, live your normal life just be cautious when you take baby with you. Only allow touching to the feet. If you have older children let them be the germ police! (We took Kailee camping with Cody's dad the day we brought her home from the hospital, granted we stayed in the camper the whole time!)
8. Yes babies cry, alot! Babies cant talk the only way they can communicate with you is by crying. This is how they tell you they are hungry, cold, need a clean diaper, etc.
9. Babies need their sleep. They sleep alot but not for long periods of time. By three months of age is when most babies can sleep 6-8 hours at a time...hopefully at night. Your baby may have their nights and days mixed up. Dont let your baby sleep more than three hours at a time during the day without waking them up for feeding. At night let them sleep as long as they want, after they have reached their birth weight again.
10. The newborn stage goes by so fast! As I am realizing the time slips away just as quickly as it arrives. So, instead of worrying about every little things about your baby, enjoy the time that you can still cuddle with them and hold them in your arms, because before you know it, they will become independent and wont be able to be rocked to sleep in your arms!!
What do you miss about your little ones being newborns??
-Mommy to A Princess