Just as babies experience all new circumstances after they're born, so do the parents. Fortunately, as a parent, you have the ability to prepare for the birth and care of your newborn. The transition at home after delivery can be somewhat stressful for the baby and parents. Touch, fondle, and caress your baby. They respond very well to love and attention.

Your baby's heat regulating system isn't very effective at first. Dress them as you would dress yourself. Their body should be warm and their hands and feet cool to the touch. Your baby needs freedom of movement so don't bundle to tightly. Babies like swaddling, being snuggled, warm and secure, and feeling a little pressure against their tummies. Babies can be outdoors, but protect them from no more than several minutes' exposure to direct sunlight.

Your baby's fingernails may be very long and paper-thin. To keep them from scratching themselves, carefully trim and file any sharp edges with an Emory board.

Feeding is an important time whether breast-fed or from a bottle. At first your baby may not want to eat, but just suck. The best schedule for the first few months is to feed your baby when it needs it. By the end of the first month you should have a schedule established and your baby may want fed from 6 to 10 times per day. To help your baby get rid of any excess air, burp or bubble your baby after each feeding. The traditional way is to hold your baby with its head resting on your shoulder, and gently pat the baby's back. A little spitting up is normal after a feeding. If your baby spits up a great deal, it may be eating too much. Sometimes it can help to burp your baby a couple of times as you're feeding.

For more information on caring for a newborn
please view program #310 " New Baby Care".