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Babies don’t come with instruction manuals, so it’s common for new parents to need a little assistance when it comes to caring for their bundle of joy. From diaper changes and feeding requirements to sleep schedules and more, having a newborn can be quite an adjustment for new parents.
Below, we’ve put together several important things all parents should know about their newborn’s needs. Hopefully, this article will give you the insight you need and put your mind at ease. Caring for a newborn can be overwhelming, but with the right advice, it can feel a little more manageable.
- Getting Prepared for the Homecoming
If you’re like most parents, you’ve been gathering the supplies and equipment you’ll need when your newborn comes home from the hospital. From the best baby rash cream to the best bottles money can buy, your baby won’t want for anything.
While it’s important to have things in place when you come home, you should also keep in mind that your little one will spend a great deal of time sleeping. Babies will wake to eat, but that’s about it. So, don’t think you need to get all kinds of toys and “extras” just yet. Your little one won’t even notice for several weeks.
- Your Baby May Look a Little Funny at First
Newborn babies, although precious, often look like red, wrinkly creatures from another world. Their skin is often covered by a layer of fine hairs called lanugo, and their heads can be misshapen due to their tight confines in the birth canal. With a smooshed face and puffy eyes, your newborn may not resemble anything you pictured.
Don’t fret, though. Your little one has just emerged from nine months in utero, and it’ll take a few days or so for them to begin looking like the tiny angel you envisioned.
- Your New Baby Won’t Respond with Smiles and Coos Until Around Six Weeks
In the first several weeks after you bring your little one home, it may seem like you’re working for a boss who’s never satisfied. All they do is complain when they’re hungry, tired, or in need of a diaper change. You’ll feel exhausted and taken for granted, but you can be sure that your baby does appreciate your efforts.
Your child is comforted by your touch and loves to be held. By six weeks of age, they’ll begin to show their appreciation by smiling when you talk to them and cooing in response to your words. When you see your baby smile at you for the first time, any negativity you’ve felt up to this point will vanish.
- Your Baby Only Needs Sponge Baths Until the Umbilical Cord Falls Off
Newborn babies don’t get very dirty, and the drier you keep the umbilical cord, the sooner it will fall off. For this reason, you’ll only need to give your new baby a sponge bath once in a while for the first two weeks or so.
Once the umbilical cord falls off, you can begin bathing your little one in a small baby tub designed to keep them safe while you bathe them.
- Dry Skin is Normal
Your newborn’s skin may start out soft and smooth, but it will quickly dry out and peel. This is normal. It should take care of itself, but if you are so inclined, you can use a hypoallergenic baby lotion to help soften the skin.
Bringing home a newborn can be scary for new parents. However, with the tips above, you should feel a little more comfortable in those early weeks.
