1. Make sure that you feed your baby right. Deciding on whether you should breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby greatly depends on your personal decision and what your physician recommends. However, it has been shown that breastfeeding is still the best way to nourish newborn babies. Lots of benefits can be obtained through breastfeeding. Some medical studies have determined that breastfed infants have less hypersensitivity later in life compared with those who were raised with bottle feeding. This is mainly because the mother's milk is known to contain natural enzymes and antibodies that can help fortify the baby's immunity against infirmities. Aside from this, some doctors also believed that breast milk is responsible for superior intellect as he/she grows and becomes fully developed.
2. Practical sleep aid tips for infants. Sleep is crucial for babies because it has a direct effect on the child's mental and physical growth. Newborn babies sleep for up to 17 and 18 hours a day. Parents should understand that babies sleep cycle could be pretty erratic. You may notice for a few weeks, your baby's sleep may only last from approximately 30 minutes to 3 hours, and this can vary throughout a 24 period. But by the sixth week, you should see some signs of improvement as your baby's sleep pattern becomes more structured. Newborns show signs of sleepiness by crying or rubbing their eyes. Newborns should be put down to sleep as soon as they feel sleepy. If you are not getting much sleep at night it may be a good idea to sleep when your baby does during the day if possible.
3. The proper way of bathing your newborn. Newborn babies need not be bathed on a daily basis. Bathing them two to three times a week is enough. Bathe your baby using sponge baths. This is imperative at first. Tub bathing your baby can only be done once the baby's umbilical cord falls off to avoid infection.
4. Maintaining your baby's optimal skin care. Newborn babies have smooth and delicate skin. For this reason, it is necessary that you use products that are especially made for babies. But before buying any baby product, it is best to consult your pediatrician. Most babies develop rashes from time to time and this is perfectly normal. However, if your baby seems irritated by a rash or has a fever, you should immediately seek advice from your baby's doctor.
5. When to give the baby medicine. Like anyone else, newborn babies sometimes have special needs that require attention. When giving your baby medicine, it is important that you follow the advice of your baby's physician. You need to know how to give the right dose prescribed by the doctor. It can sometimes be advised to start the baby with a small dose to ensure there is no adverse reaction to the medication.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and is not meant in any way to replace advice given by healthcare professionals.
Jaundice In Newborn Babies
Healthy newborns can typically do the following at birth or within the first few weeks of their life:
1. See things 8-12 inches away (the distance from breast or milk bottle to mom's or dad's face).
2. Can hear and may move their heads and eyes towards something of interest, or move their heads if their breathing is blocked (but sometimes not enough to avert suffocation).
3. Can identify their parents' voices.
4. Can taste and smell and have shown preferences for their own mother's milk and dislikes for strong, nasty odors.
5. Can draw back when pinched or pricked.
6. Can yawn and sneeze.
7. Have a "startle reflex," in which the arms and legs may shoot out or their body may stiffen when startled by a loud noise or other stimulation.
8. Have a "rooting reflex," in which touching the baby's lips gets him or her to open its mouth for feeding, perhaps smacking lips, sucking and breathing eagerly.
9. Have a protective reflex in which their tongues thrust out any item in their mouths (such as pacifiers). This reflex is intended to guard them against choking.
10. Have a "stepping reflex" if held upright and a "crawling reflex," in which they seem to sort-of crawl when placed on their stomach.
11. Have a "grasping reflex," in which they squeeze their little hands around a finger or other object.
12. Have a "righting reflex," in which when pulled up by the arms, they can lift their head up, despite a floppy neck.
13. Get a big kick out of faces, their own or other people's, and may be able to mimic expressions a few days after birth.
14. Favor the contrast of black-and-white patterns, especially the edges and in the shapes of bulls-eyes, diagonal stripes, faces or checkerboards.
Having listed the amazing things newborns can do, it is usually too much to expect of babies one month or younger to do everything. These are the things they cannot do, and when to expect them:
1. Smile intentionally (this takes about six weeks, although parents often swear it's sooner).
2. See very far away (you'll observe as baby's eyes begin to focus further away).
3. Lift head up (perhaps a bit by end of month, but little neck control yet).
4. Sit unaided when put down in sitting position (at about 5-6 months age).
5. Eat any solids, and will choke if given them (feeding solids sometimes starts at about 4 or 5 months).
6. Drool (drooling may start at about 3 months).
7. Have teeth (rarely a newborn is born with a tooth, but most infants get first teeth at 4-12 months).
8. Grip, pick up or grab objects (by 6 months, however, you may be wishing for a baby straitjacket at the grocery store).
9. Beg, whine and cry for heavily advertised toys.
10. Watch TV.
Now that you know what to expect (or not) of your baby, it's time to enjoy these little moments with your newborn.
Both Alison Palmer & Thomas Choo are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alison Palmer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Baby Shower, Psychic Readings and Family Concerns. Alison Palmer has an interest in topics relating to Family & Children. To find out how you can get more information about surviving the first year please visit this
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