Newborn babies do not come with a set of instructions. That is left up to you, the parent, to figure out during your new on-the-job training, 24/7 work week. And, newborns are completely dependent on you to figure it all out in that little sleep-deprived head of yours. It can be, at times, exhausting and relentless. However, in the end, it truly is the beginning of the most rewarding journey you will be fortunate to travel in life. Taking those first steps out the front door of the hospital, it really hits you that your life will never be the same whether this is your first newborn or fourth newborn. Your challenge will be to continue your life as you know it while providing round the clock care to your baby.
It is very easy during this time to forget your needs and neglect to maintain basic hygeine as days seem to run together and you lose track of time. You must remember that, if you want to provide the best care for your newborn, you MUST take care of yourself first.
Do not, I repeat do not avoid eating meals, showering, and resting. If you are fortunate enough to have some help from family and friends, accept it. If not, just take it one day at a time and, although it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, each day WILL get a little easier.
I think the most difficult adjustment was learning to function while extremely sleep deprived. All 3 of my sons did not sleep through the night until 1 to 2 years of age and my daughter did not sleep through the night until around 9 months old. However, my daughter was the easiest to get to sleep and she slept the best because she sucked her thumb and could quiet herself very easily. The boys all had colic and one had reflux so the only way to get them to sleep was rocking in my arms, in their car seat on top of the dryer, or in the car while taking late night rides through the neighborhood. It took every ounce of patience I could muster to make it through each day, but again, you have to take things in small steps one day at a time. If it ever seems too overwhelming, be sure to ask for some help. There are no superhero awards given out for the most stressed out moms or dads.
I have compiled a list of websites with valuable newborn information that can help you find answers to so many common questions that arise when trying to care for a newborn baby. If you like to organize your life using lists like I do, you can find some great checklists to making everything you need for pregnancy & baby simple and fun.
Whether you are a first time parent or you are an old pro, it is always helpful to have information on hand about basic newborn care, newborn health, newborn safety, and newborn growth and development. These resources will help you understand your newborn's world a little better. The deeper the understanding you have, the better the care you can provide.
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Newborn-Babycare
Newborn information is about the most pressing concerns in regards to caring for your newborn and baby. It covers topics like easing colic discomfort , sleeping problems and solutions , Car seat safety , and much more valuable newborn information.
NEWBORN INFORMATION: BASIC CARE
1. Caring for a Newborn: Tips From New Parents
Highlights: This article provides tips from new parents about how to handle the challenges of caring for newborns while adjusting to all new changes of being new parents. Read more about caring for your newborn
2. Bathing Your Newborn
Highlights: This article will help explain how to properly bathe your newborn and describes to types of baths, sponge baths and tub baths that newborns are typically given. In addition, it address bath safety issues. Read more about bathing your newborn
Find the top bath and potty products that are right for your baby. Free shipping on orders over $100 - Shop at Right Start.
3. Newborn Body Care
Highlights: This article addresses how to care for the newborn's body overall including trimming fingernails, cord care, circumcision care, and dealing with cradle cap. Read more about newborn body care
4. Feeding Your Newborn
Highlights: Whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding, it can be difficult to figure out your baby's feeding routine. This article addresses both ways of feeding as well as provides some guidelines about how much and how often to feed your newborn. Read more about feeding your newborn
NEWBORN INFORMATION: HEALTH
1. Healthy Habits
Highlights: This article describes how to keep your newborn healthy during those first few delicate weeks of life. Read more about newborn healthy habits
2. Newborn's Well Child Visits
Highlights: Your newborn will need several visits to the doctor for screenings and vaccinations in the first few weeks. Read about these tests and find out about the vaccination schedule. Read more about newborn's well child visits
3. How Do I...Take My Baby's Temperature?
Highlights: You want me to put that where?!? Taking your newborn's temperature is not every parent's favorite duty, but it will have to be done. This article will guide you through the process. Read more about how to take your newborn's temperature
4. Health Issues In Your Newborn Baby Highlights: This article addresses the many different health issues that are both normal and not normal in newborn babies. Read more about health issues in your newborn
NEWBORN INFORMATION: SAFETY
1. Newborn Baby Safety
Highlights: Although newborn baby's seem fragile, they are very resilient. However, there are many things you can do to keep your newborn baby safe. Read more about newborn safety
Find the safety products your baby needs for the best protection. Free shipping on orders over $100 - Shop at Right Start.
2. Keep Your Kids Safe
Highlights: This article addresses safety issues with car seats, cribs, and other equipment as well as keeping your newborn safe around pets. You will also find information about SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome. Read more about how to keep your kids safe
NEWBORN INFORMATION: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
1. Newborn Development
Highlights: Newborns grow as such a rapid pace that it can be challenging to keep up with all the changes. This articles tells you what you can expect during the first few weeks. Read more about newborn development
Highlights: Three of my four children had colic as newborns up until about 3-5 months old. I found that different methods worked for each of them and it took a lot of trial and error to find out which method worked best. While this can be a stressful time, colic is a temporary condition so just focus on trying to find a method that soothes your baby to help him through this difficult time. Read more about colic
3. How Can I...Prevent SIDS?
Highlights: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, occurs most often in infants between the ages of 1 to 4 months old. Find out how to reduce your newborns chances of developing SIDS. Read more about how to prevent SIDS
