Home Essentials for a New Baby

Top 10 Newborn Clothing Items You Will Need

What an exciting time it is knowing you are getting closer and closer to meeting the new member of your family! The car seats, crib assembly, nursery designing it never seems to end preparing for this special person. Many new moms, and even some new grandmothers have a tendency of getting too many things before the baby comes. It is always best to have more than less then you will be needing, but when it comes to clothing the baby will grow three times of his or her size when they were born in just that first year! Buying one cute outfit will most likely only last the baby a month or two then it's off ot the next size up! Keep that in mind when doing your baby registry and buying your own supplies as well as the same theory can apply to diaper sizes too!

The top 10 clothing items for your newborn:

1: Hats. Believe it or not, your baby will enjoy sleeping in a soft cap. It helps them regulate their own body temperature which is a must have if you happen to have a preemie baby in the home. Choose softer ones with a cotton base, and ones that wash well to avoid shrinking them.

2: Bodysuits. Some call these "onesies", and they are the tee shirts that snap just at the crotch for easy diaper changing routines. They are sold in packs generally and you will go through quite a few of these everyday so ensure you have plenty of them. They are a must in the summer months to keep the baby cool and comfortable.

3: Mittens: Not the kind you would use when you go sledding, these are special tiny ones for newborns. New babies have no idea how to move their bodies for weeks, they make a habit out of touching their faces and scratching their skin in the process. By putting the little mittens on their hands they can't hurt themselves. This will go away within the first six weeks.

4: Sleepers: These can look like the ones that have a zipper going right up the front of the outfit, or it can have a bottom that looks like a dress. They keep the baby warm when they are sleeping without needing pants or socks.

5: Booties: Most parents do not bother putting shoes on their babies until they are older. You can use booties instead to keep their feet covered and warm.

6: Pants: Get a few pairs of cotton pants that are easy to get off and on the newborn for when they are sleeping, or just laying in their swing.

7: Overalls: Most moms enjoy this look on a baby and it is comfortable for them as well. They keep them warm and most have snaps at the crotch for easy changing.

8: Socks: If you reside where it is cold, please do not forget to bundle up your new baby as they can be very susceptible to getting sick. Cover their feet with socks and booties.

9: Coat: Depending on the season, your baby will need either a raincoat, winter coat or light spring jacket.

10: Blankets: You really can never have enough blankets when it comes to having a new baby int eh house. They love being bundled up and kept warm.

Newborn Sibling Jealousy:

All children, down deep, love to embrace and enjoy all the attention of their parents. So, when a new baby coming along is announced, many times the older child may not share your excitement. It mostly stems from the older child suddenly experiencing insecurities due to the fact that they really don’t know what to expect. They don’t know what the changes really will be and which ones will involve them.

Then, jealousy can show up. This can show as soon as you begin to put a nursery together. You are now suddenly spending time on a room that really has nothing to do with them at all. Of course, they want you to spend this time with them. The easiest way to get the older child prepared to have a sibling is by selling it to them. Present it to them as an opportunity to become a big brother or sister to someone. How exciting will that be? Tell them how they will be helping to teach the new little one all sorts of things from talking, to walking to playing baseball.

Always remember to include the older sibling in the planning of the new baby. Let them hear the names you are considering and always tell them any good news about the baby when you come home from your doctor visits. This child will, no doubt, need a little more attention throughout this time because once you have the new baby, your time will become a bit more limited. Getting on a good schedule now with the older child will help the transition of the new baby go much smoother.
It is exciting growing your family and it just takes a little extra patience to get everyone all on the same page with the new development. Another good idea is to have a certain time each week that is exclusively for the older child to go somewhere or do something with you. Then, continuing this after the baby is born shows the older child that you value him just like you did before the new baby arrived. This stability will help him to see that you have enough love for a bunch of kids, him included.

Lots of parents allow the older child to visit the baby as soon as it is born or be there for its birth. All decisions that are totally up to you as a family. It is also a nice idea for a grandparent to help by giving some extra attention to the older child, which will help to make him feel all the love from his family. Should this older child act out a bit, wet his pants like preschoolers may, etc., don’t be too alarmed it will soon pass as soon as you are back into some sort of regular family schedule. Adding to a family makes for an exciting time so just focus on the positive of it all and things will end up working themselves out.

Baby Gifts Your New Mom Will Love:

When giving baby gifts, it is always a nice touch to include it into a basket of some sort. It is especially nice when it is a newborn baby gift because as a basket, it makes a really great presentation at the shower. If the mom-to-be does not want to know the sex of her baby ahead of time, you can always put together a unisex type of a newborn baby gift basket. It is, however, easier on you if you know ahead of time and can order or make up a newborn baby boy gift basket or one for a girl.

A newborn baby gift basket makes a wonderful gift for any new baby and their mothers too. A newborn is fun to shop for because they will need just about everything you see in the store or on the internet. Anything you pick, will no doubt, be a hit with the new mom and be needed for her newborn. It makes for a beautiful newborn baby gift basket if you pick one or two colors as part of a theme that will, perhaps, match the nursery that the parents have started for their newborn. So many newborn outfits, blankets, some form of patterned dining ware for infants and bedding all match making it very easy to compile a really pretty basket stuffed full of newborn baby gifts.

With the importance of the environment at this time, lots of companies now offer organic bedding, clothing, bottles, and diapers which can be a nice idea for a newborn baby gift basket. One new trend is those new parents that may prefer items manufactured in the USA, while others have no particular wishes so those gifts that have a manufacturer in China may work just fine for them. It’s always good to keep in mind preferences of the parents when purchasing gifts for their newborn.

Another good gift idea for a newborn baby gift basket is one of a financial nature. You could put together some small newborn gifts and then add things like a share of stock in Disney, Apple or Build-A-Bear. Included could also be a piggy bank with their name personalized on it. A savings bond would make a great addition to this type of newborn baby gift basket. A savings/financial type of newborn basket makes a great gift because it shows the parents that you already care about this child’s future because you are helping them to plan for it. A perk to it all, is that your savings bond gift and/or stock purchase will grow over the years for this special little newborn.

Is It Post-Partum Depression?

 

A lot of new mothers will tell you that they feel a sense of anxiety and unease regarding their babies. After all, there's this whole new, tiny person that is completely dependent on you for her every need. He's fragile, so klutzy people like me are extra nervous because we fear we'll unintentionally hurt him with our 'butterfingers'. When you consider how many hormones a woman who has just had a baby has going haywire, it's no wonder that she might feel sad or have strange mood swings. The fact that new mothers rarely get a full night's sleep and that your mother-in-law is probably driving you crazy doesn't help matters any! But how can you tell if what you're feeling is a medical problem as opposed to 'normal' hormonal shifts? How can you recognize and treat postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis? While only your doctor can truly diagnose and treat you, here are a few warning signs.

• A change in your regular sleeping and eating patterns that causes problems and lasts for more than 2 weeks
• Depression or anxiety that lasts more than 2 weeks and/or interferes with your ability to care for yourself or your baby
• Thoughts of doing harm to yourself or your baby
• Lack of interest and pleasure in things you used to like
• Negative feelings toward/lack of interest in your baby
• Continuous thoughts of suicide or death in general

In addition to these, some signs of postpartum psychosis are-

• hallucinations
• strange behavior
• rapid mood swings
• confusion

If you feel you may have postpartum depression, see a doctor. There is also a related disorder called postpartum psychosis that, while rare, requires emergency treatment. Some of the more high-profile cases involving mothers harming their children (Andrea Yeats, etc) are examples of the dangers of postpartum psychosis.

The chances of developing either of these disorders are higher if you are younger than 20 when you have your baby, have stress in other areas of your life or had mixed feelings about the pregnancy from the beginning. The chances are also higher if you or a family member has had postpartum depression before or currently suffers from depression or bipolar disorder.

Keep in mind that the symptoms of postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis don't always show up right away. While it usually starts soon after birth and develops over a few months, it can also come on suddenly and after several months have already gone by. It can also happen after a stillbirth or miscarriage.

Some treatment options for postpartum depression include therapy and medication. There are, however, other things you can do for yourself at home that can help. Enlist the help of your significant other, family and friends in caring for the baby so that you don't feel overwhelmed. Do something just for yourself each day, even if it is as simple as a walk around the block. Get help with other things like household chores. But, above all else, give yourself a break! No one expects you to be supermom. If they do, well, ignore them because you're only human. Just take care of yourself and you will be better able to care for your baby.

Choosing The Right Pediatrician For Your Newborn

Finding the best doctor to care for your child may not be a huge concern when you are still pregnant, but it will become something to look into as you get closer to your due date. Some simply go with who is there to care for their babies when they are still in the hospital, and others prefer taking their time to choose the right pediatrician for their baby.

The best place to start is by asking friends and family members that are also parents. Usually, they will have someone to recommend and if they trust their little ones to this person, then you most likely would as well. One thing you may notice is that many people in your community may recommend one person, this is always a good sign. This usually means they have found someone that is reliable, friendly and has an extensive knowledge of caring for infants and children of all ages. You can always make an appointment and meet the doctor first, then go from there.

The next option is to get a referral from the hospital or use someone that has treated your son or daughter while they were in the hospital. Generally, when you have a baby a physician from the local area that is a practioner within your health insurance will come and oversee the baby's care automatically. They will introduce themselves to you, and leave notes for the nurses there at the hospital to continue the child's care. Usually you will need to take the baby in for a check up within a week or two after they go home from the hospital anyway, this way you will already have a doctor that has begun caring for your child and built a relationship with them.

Having a great pediatrician is key, especially during those first few years of the baby's life. Your child will need various things such as vaccinations and exams to ensure they are eating well and growing properly. In the event something should happen later down the line, it is best to have them continue going to the same doctor so they trust he or she. If your child will require any type of surgery you will want a physician on their side to walk through every step with you and the child as well. The pediatrician will need to have a good bedside manner alike. Many parents become very close to their child's doctors. When your baby is sick in the middle of the night, you want to be able to call someone you trust your child's health within. Choose someone that has a great reputation, one that is good with your child and one that has hours of operation that you can take your child to have their exams around your schedule.

A Look Into Newborn Nutrition

A newborn in the home can be very exciting and challenging at the same time. While your life is changing every day with the baby around and it will take you weeks until you get into a good rhythm with your infant as far as feeding and sleeping patterns are concerned. Newborn nutrition is crucial to building a foundation for a strong and healthy child to grow.

Every newborn will either be placed on a diet that consists of breast milk or formulas. This is the extent of their main food source for months so be sure which one of those you choose will be something you can easily keep up with. Many mothers prefer to attempt to breast feed their newborns before they decide to give them formulas. This is just because the experts have proven time and again that breast milk is the most beneficial for the newborn to achieve all the vitamins and nutrients they will need. The only reason some mothers do not breast feed is based upon the fact that it is a very time consuming process and you must always plan ahead and have plenty of breast milk around for the newborn to consume which could be quite a lot considering all newborns must eat every few hours. For working moms this is just too much of a distraction and other mother simply do not feel comfortable breast feeding their babies.

Some newborns must be on a specific type of formula which may be soy based if they experience any form of digestion difficulties while feeding on the regular types of formula. To change these once you notice your child is either crying an awful lot or they generally seem to be uncomfortable all day, you simply call the family doctor and advise them of the newborn’s symptoms and they will suggest some other forms of formula to try to put them more at ease. You do not want your newborn to be stuck with a formula that does not agree with them as they will not eat as much as they will need to and then you will end up with a tiny baby and you want your newborn to grow and be content at all times. Some mothers place a small bit of cereal such as rice cereal or oatmeal cereal in their newborn’s bottles to help keep them full and to also help thicken their formulas and breast milk to help them swallow it slower and not choke on it.

Once the newborn has begun to feed well every few hours they will get on a regular schedule that they feel comfortable with. All newborns should have a large feeding just before they are put down to sleep at night and they will sleep longer on a full tummy. Also many mothers have found it be very beneficial to feed the newborns just after a long bath to really provide the best in relaxation for the newborn to fall fast asleep.

What Is A NICU?

A NICU is a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This is where lives are literally saved, some by the hour. Your newborn baby is the most precious thing in your life, something you can say you created and nurtured for nine months.

What if there is an unexpected health issue, or you deliver your little one too early? Thankfully, there are some of the most accredited nurses and physicians in the industry providing care in these units, putting your son or daughter 's life first.

The NICU can be a very confusing place, even intimidating at first glance. There are very specific rules to entering and exiting the area and who can visit the babies inside. If you have older children, you may need special permission to have them visit the baby. Inside you will find incubators, jaundice lights, and heart monitors all the tools the care givers will need to care properly for your child.

In the United States, there are three levels of care inside a NICU:

Level I: This is a basic care room inside a hospital that offers labor and delivery suites. Most city hospitals will have these and some located in suburbs as well, they are not that advanced and if your baby has a lot of concerns medically, odds are they will be transferred to a higher level NICU in your town. This Level I facility provides postnatal care for infants, ones that are at term or just under it with the capacity to care for infants from 35 weeks gestational age and up.

Level II:

This facility bodes two variations, a 2A and 2B-

2A: They offer care to infants born from 32 weeks gestational age and above. Infants can weigh 1500g and can be treated for such ailments as jaundice, apnea, temperature, and learn how to properly feed via mouth versus the tube.

2B: This variation can do exactly as aforementioned in the 2A facility and also care for ventilation systems, for those infants that have premature lung development which is extremely common in babies less than 36 weeks old.

Level III:

This is the Mother of all NICU facilities, where miracles literally occur inside. If you have a baby at 28 weeks gestational age and up they can aide them to excellent health. Many moms assume if they have a baby too early such as 30 weeks, their baby will not survive and thanks to the Level III facilities, millions of babies are saved each and everyday. They can care for babies that weigh 1000g, ones that need ventilation, minor surgical practices, life support, catheters, feeding tubes, PIC lines, and so on.

There are far less Level III NICU institutions around the world than there are the lower scale ones due to the tremendous amount of care they have the ability to provide their patients. In 1999 alone, there were a reported 830 NICU's in the US alone, creating a lot of hope for new parents of a preemie to get the help and intensive care they may need for their baby.

Best Places To Do Your Baby Registry

Having a baby is mind altering. The entire experience from initially learning you're pregnant, to picking out highchairs and bibs. Bringing another human being into the world does not happen overnight, and you will not have everything you need for he or she when the big day arrives. As you get used to having your newborn around, you will quickly notice that the amount of products, foods, clothing and love they require can be daunting. Relax, and start off with your best foot forward by planning ahead and completing a baby registry to obtain some of those needed baby items.

On a baby registry, you will be able to list items you feel will best suit your newborn's needs. You can put virtually anything on one from diapers to cribs. Think carefully when creating your master list for all to choose from as it can be intimidating at first and even create a little shopping monster! Think of what items you know you will be needing and what items you may even need others to chip in help you afford during your very busy year ahead.

The top places worth looking into to create your baby registry are:

Babies R Us: It simply doesn't get any easier than this retailer for a registry. When it comes to babies, they certainly have done their homework and make it as smooth as possible for the new mommy to be. You can even take advantage of the seminars they hold in the stores on everything from breastfeeding to car seat safety awareness.

Target: Target is fantastic in that they have a store located in virtually every major city within the United States. This makes it easier for grandparents and uncles to just walk into their local store and choose which item they want to buy for your new baby. Their registries can be done through the guest services counter, and they have a kiosk at the front entrances for those seeking to print one out your registry and begin shopping.

JcPenney: This shop has been around for decades, and one service they can handle is registries. They specialize in registries for babies, engagements, weddings and anniversaries. They have staff on board in those departments to aide you in creating your list and your registry shoppers can buy stuff online as well using their registry.

Toys R Us: They are remarkably similar to the Babies R Us selection even though many assume they only sell toys. The company revamped their shops over the past few years to create more stores with a larger baby section inside them. They have everything you will need inside from swings to booster seats and the folks at the customer service desk are willing to help you out any way they can.

'Cereal At Night' And Other Baby Misconceptions

  

Few things inspire more curiosity and confusion than a new baby. Between trying to figure out why he's crying to what she'll eat to how he'll get along with the family pet, there are a lot of things about new babies that remain to be seen. It can be very overwhelming! In an effort to help ease the pressure, I've found several misconceptions about babies that I'd like to clear up. Hopefully this will help you figure things out, or at least give you a laugh.

1. Babies are always born with blue eyes. This myth probably came about because many babies' eyes haven't begun to produce melanin (coloring agent) yet, making them appear blue. However, this is not true for all babies. Some babies are dark-eyed from birth. A related myth says that, if a baby's eyes are going to change color, it takes six months for this to happen. This is also not true; there isn't really any 'set' timeframe for melanin production.
2. Babies don't have kneecaps. There actually is a bit of truth to this one. Babies are born with what look and function like kneecaps, but they are not made of bone. They are actually cartilage, but will turn to bone as the baby grows.
3. Babies have the same type of bones as an adult does. Babies are born with over 300 'bones' in their bodies, but most of them are still cartilage that hasn't fused and turned into bone yet.
4. Babies are colorblind. From two weeks of age, most babies are able to see colors. Bright, primary colors are easier for them to focus on, but they can see color.
5. Sleep gets better after three months. While it might seem that a baby sleeps better as it gets older, there isn't any real 'timeframe'. However old a baby is, environment and being on a regular 'sleep schedule' has the biggest impact on how she sleeps.
6. Every little sound will wake a newborn up. Some babies are very light sleepers and wake up a lot anyway, but it isn't necessarily because of the sound around them. If fact, newborns don't hear well at all because there is still a lot of fluid in the middle ear that will drain as time goes on. Until it does, a baby's hearing is nowhere near as good as some people think it is.
7. Feeding your baby cereal around bedtime will help her sleep through the night. While babies may wake up during the night because they are hungry, feeding them cereal won't help. In fact, it's not recommended before about six months of age because younger babies may not be ready for solid foods!

And finally, for the silliest myth of all:

Your cat will steal your baby's breath as he sleeps. While there are plenty of other reasons not to let your pet into your baby's bed, cats can't suffocate or 'steal' baby's breath. First of all, they have no way of creating the airtight seal around the baby's nose and mouth that is necessary to prevent it from breathing. Cats may have willful and creative brains, but not that much. Furthermore, why would they want to? Many of them don't even like babies. :)

I hope I've given you an idea about which things you hear about babies are true and which are not. I have no idea where the one about cats came from, but it's been around for a while. It just goes to show, just because a story is old doesn't mean it's true!

Choosing The Perfect Name For Your Newborn

There are so many things to prepare for when you are expecting. Everything seems to add up rather quickly with so many items to purchase to care for your new little one. One thing you can do for them that is completely free of cost is choosing the perfect name for your little one.

Finding that ideal name for your son or daughter to be can be a timely process. Usually one parent seems to be fond of a style of names, and the other parent either likes them or not. Some have already planned on what names they wanted for years prior to getting pregnant as well. Family names can be a special tribute, but in some families those names can be very unique or different to those new parents. You may want to name your daughter Rosa after your grandmother and your husband may be dead set against that suggestion, so you do have to be fair throughout the process. Ensure that you both adore the names you have chosen, and go from there making the final cuts.

Other types of name suggestions can come from the internet or books. The publishing industry has made a fortune creating numerous books to advise those new parents to be! Titles just for boys and girls, with a large grouping of books that feature origins as well. You can find the most common names, names that are of a certain nationality such as "Italian Names" and also there are ones that have special meanings alike. Millions of parents are searching for that perfect name, one that says something about their child. You can look up the meaning of virtually any name on the web prior to considering using it for your new baby.

For another idea, you can also try using initials of yourself, your spouse or other family members such as older children in the family to create a totally unique name. This is always a nice honor for the other kids in the house, and even for an Aunt or cousin. Using two first names is also a possibility. Many refer this practice to those residing in the southern states, but it can be very popular everywhere as in some famous people such as "Sarah Jessica Parker" that uses two first names always. Be sure which ever name you come up with is one that you really love, as you may not enjoy using it when the baby does come. Also, you can always change their name even after they are born if you wish! Many families love a name for their baby, but then once they meet the little bundle of joy they decide a different name may be more suitable for them and switch it when the baby is just a few weeks old.

More Things To Consider When Naming Your Newborn

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One of the most exciting parts of pregnancy is coming up with a name for your new baby. In fact, many of us have baby names picked out long before we are pregnant or, in the case of girls, before we even hit puberty! It's fun to read the many baby name books and hear about the weird names people give their babies. But, as entertaining as this can be, picking out a baby name is serious business. It's not like cute clothes or baby toys; it's something that will be with your child for the rest of her life. In this vein, here are a few things to consider.

• Spelling and pronunciation. Few things are more annoying than having to constantly correct people who get your name wrong. While I haven't had this problem, my husband has an unusual name that most people (myself included) get wrong when they meet him. Foreign-sounding names might be a good tribute to your religion or heritage, but try to steer clear of first names that aren't easily spelled or pronounced. If the name has a special meaning to you, perhaps it can be a middle name.
• Association with the name. Sorry, but names such as Adolph or Judas will probably never outlive their association with certain unsavory people from the past.
• Sound. How does it sound when paired with your last name?
• Can it easily be made fun of? Hopefully your child won't have this problem, but some names can be easily used by others to annoy or harass. Dweezil Zappa or Destry Spielberg might be able to get by because of their famous fathers, but most kids don't have that luxury.
• Nicknames or initials. Some parents give their children nicknames as 'real' names. This can work well with names like Christy or Sue, but having to explain that your name isn't actually Christine or Susan can get old after a while. It can also be embarrassing to see DUD or HAG stamped on your luggage at the airport. :)
• Popularity. Common names are great in that people can usually pronounce or spell them, but some children don't like having several classmates with their name.
• Gender. It's been a trend in recent years to give girls names like Mackenzie or Ryan that were previously associated with boys. There are also names like Robin or Dana that have become unisex over time. Names like this make it easy for parents to name children before knowing their gender, but it can be frustrating for a child to constantly have to correct others about their gender. Boys tend to be more insulted when taken to be girls than the reverse-Think of the Johnny Cash song 'A Boy Named Sue'!
• Naming after their parents or other family members. Naming your child after them is probably one of the best ways to honor someone. However, some people think this is too confusing or can make the child feel like they don't have an identity of your own. One way to get around this is to give the name as a middle name. That, or call the child by their middle name or initials (AJ, etc).

Now, for what's probably the most important thing-

Don't let anyone pressure you! As you've probably noticed by now, everyone has an opinion on what your child's name should be. Don't let anyone pressure you into picking a name you don't like. Also, don't let anyone (including me!) talk you out of using a name that means a lot to you. If pressure from others is a problem, consider not telling anyone what your final decision is until after the child is born. At that point, it's too late for 'suggestions'! 

In closing, here's your laugh for the day-

The 20 Most Bizarre Celebrity Baby Names

:)

Should You Circumcise Your Newborn Son?

Becoming a new parent is overwhelming. It is equally as exciting and has endless precious moments. When your baby is still in the hospital, there will be a few things you and your spouse will need to come to terms with. Vaccinations is a big one, and the second biggest newborn decision parents of boys have to make is should you circumcise your newborn son?

You may thinking this is an easy answer, but some honestly have no idea what it even entails. If you have never had a child, or spent time around a new baby boy this may all be new to you. Circumcision is when the doctor removes a piece (or in some cases, all) of the foreskin on the penis. It's word derives from the Latin word "circum" which equates to be around. Some have found by having the procedure they can prevent issues with the following ailments:

Alanitis

Xerotica

Obliterans

Paraphimosis

Balanitis

Posthitis

Balanoposthitis

Urinary Tract Infections

There are many who are against this controversial surgery. Some believe it is for those practicing certain religions, while for others it is merely 'what everyone else does'. Many moms have it done because they want their children to 'look the same' as everyone else and not stand out. However, there are more men today that do not have "fixed" foreskin in the world than those that do. It isn't a very popular trend in Europe for example, but in the United States there are around sixty to sixty-five percent of baby boys having it done each year. Some women will suggest they have never even witnessed a male that is one way or the other depending on where they live. Out of those women, most have no preference to the surgery as far as sexual practices may be concerned as well. Most of the things you may have heard are usually from those that have not had the procedure, similar to men that have not had a vasectomy telling others it was horrible. No one can tell the difference unless they have had the procedure well into their adulthood.

In the past few decades however, that number has begun to decrease, even in the states.

You have to make this decision whether or not to have your son circumcised with your spouse. That other party may have very strong opinions of such a practice, and in that case you really should weigh out all of the pros and cons of the surgery and go from there. Ask other family members, even friends that have sons and find out the most information before having your son go through with it.

Fun And Informative Books For New Moms

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When my sister was pregnant with her kids, it seemed as though everyone had advice. Some things were useful, like which car seats are the best and what kind of bedding she should use. Other things, however, were just strange-exactly why does it matter what kind of light bulbs to use in the baby's room, again? Everyone seemed to be an expert. They were trying to help, but sometimes she was a bit overwhelmed with it all and didn't know what to listen to and what to pass off. A lot of the 'baby books' she tried to read spoke in 'medical-ese', which meant they weren't much help either. I'm sure you've been in the same boat, or know someone who is. The good news is that there are plenty of reliable informational books out there that are written 'for the rest of us'. Here are a few books about how to deal with your new baby that you will actually want to read.

• If Your Kid Eats This Book, Everything Will Still Be Okay by Lara Zibners- As the hilarious title suggests, this books is full of reassurances about the care of your baby. We tend to worry about every little thing-every tummy ache, every bump on the head, every little sneeze. As it turns out, at least half of those late-night trips to the emergency room are for things that are normal or minor. This book, aside from making you laugh out loud from the tone, goes into the things you should and shouldn't worry about. It's written by a former ER doctor, so she knows what she's talking about.
• The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine- Sometimes we wonder how it is that all these male doctors think they can tell us what to expect and how it is supposed to feel. It's nice to hear about these things in detail from someone who has 'been there'. The author, a four-time mom, tells you the things-what happens to your body, why your moods are what they are, etc-that your doctor glosses over. She has opinions you may not agree with, but it has an irreverent and conversational tone that makes it much easier to read than some other books out there!
• It Gets Easier! And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers by Claudine Wolk- One thing I hear from my friends with babies tell me is that they got so much advice and read so many baby books-only to find that half of what they learned doesn't apply to them. This book goes into all of those subjects and gives a different view. Drawing from her own experiences and interviews with moms, Wolk uses a friendly and fun tone to dispel the many myths out there about breastfeeding, sleep schedules and the 'talk' you need to have with your husband before the birth! I'm not sure exactly what that 'talk' entails, but it's good to know how to have it!

These but a few of the many helpful books to prepare pregnant women and new mothers for the challenges that lie ahead of them. It's good to be able to read these things from someone who has actually 'been there' and speaks in a tone that doesn't bore us to death! Hopefully you'll be able to actually use the advice given but, even if you can't, you can at least enjoy reading about it.

What Is Neonatal Jaundice?

Some babies simply have it easier than others. When an infant is born prematurely they will have to survive through many obstacles until they can go home from the hospital. There are some severe ailments preemies can suffer from such as sleep apnea, intravenous feeding and digestive disorders alike. One very common issue for early babies is something called neonatal jaundice.

Neonatal jaundice is a condition that results in the skin turning a yellow shade. Doctors can test for this with a process that blanches the skin with a form of digital pressure, from there it shows the skin tissue underneath and they can derive their results from there. If the level is 85umol or higher they will require treatment. They can have a yellowing of the skin, especially in the face and chest areas. Some full term babies can also have jaundice of some form. It is treatable and effects over half of all babies born. Most can be treated and the condition can disappear within the first week of life, a few weeks for those infants that are born severely premature.

The most common form of treatment for this ailment is via phototherapy. This is the practice of using lights to change the bilirubin so that their smaller bodies can eliminate it. This is generally is completed within the hospital, but in some cases the baby can go home with a device that will treat it. Those devices are usually a wrap, blanket, or band.

These devices are to be worn by the baby for a dew hours during the day and a home nurse generally comes to check on the baby and their equipment. They take a blood sample when they come to check on the baby to report their accurate level of jaundice they are experiencing. Do not worry, this does not hurt the new baby it is taken from their feet and only a small amount is drawn. This will continue for as long as the baby needs treated. Be sure to become well informed regarding the equipment that your child will be using while they are at home. If your baby will be using a lighted instrument, they usually need to wear some form of goggles or glasses while the machine is in use. This does not bother them, and you have to remember that it is all temporary.

Do follow all of the pediatricians directions when caring for a newborn with a jaundice. It is imperative that they cure this ailment as soon as possible as other complications can develop. Some children have such a severe case of jaundice that they need to be admitted into a Children's hospital where they can undergo a blood transfusion. Do not be overly concerned, many babies have this condition and they are fine within a week to one month of treatment.

How To get Your Newborn On A Schedule

Becoming a parent for the first time is a tricky situation. You are overly excited to have this brand new person in your life, but constantly trying to figure out to live with them. Living with a new baby is a full time job. Learning how to get your newborn on a schedule is something every new parent must go through.

All new babies must have a new way of living that is productive and works for the whole family. If you work during the evenings, then you will have to create a whole new way of life for your family to run smoothly. For the rest of the world, you must pay careful attention to how often your baby needs to eat during the day. If it is every three hours or four hours, then allot for those times to be waking up at night to feed your son or daughter. Babies cannot survive very long without a food supply, they have tiny little tummies that will need constant feeding. This every few hours works for them for the first few weeks or months. Set an alarm if you feel that is necessary to get all of your baby's feedings in, but in most cases parents allow the baby to tell them when he or she is hungry. Your baby may do very well right from the beginning and only need to get up once per night for a bottle, so sometimes letting them help you get into the routine of what they will need is best.

Another tip for getting your baby on a schedule is to make sure they are clean and dry. Babies are excellent at crying to alert you that they need something. They will wake you up at night just to have their diapers changed, so save yourself the baby alarm at three in the morning, and change them right before you put them to bed. Clear any items from their cribs that may be harmful for them, such as stuffed toys or excessive blankets. They can suffocate or even wrap themselves in them in get injured.

How the room appears to the baby will also set the tone for the evening. If it is cold where you live, ensure your newborn is nice and snug all evening. Place him in a sleeper that keeps his feet warm as newborns have trouble keeping their own temperatures. If he or she uses a pacifier, then give them that as well. As the baby gets older, you will have more freedom to leave other items in their cribs for them to entertain themselves should they wake up in the middle of the night. As newborns, you have to use your own judgment to get through the first few weeks, be patient it will come to be a very easy life once the baby gets used to you and their new home!

How To Cure Baby Acne

You have a beautiful new baby, you cannot stop holding he or she and then it happens. Your baby wakes up one morning and you notice they have developed a baby acne condition. You may be considering why this has happened, but it does effect many infants and can be treated rather easily.

This baby acne condition is very common, it can be something that the baby was born with or it may have come about when they were a month old. It can last a few days up until a few months of their life depending on the severity of it. Doctors have referred to it as "neonatal acne" which is something that does go away with time and no child seems to suffer from it as they get older. It look like whiteheads or red patchy skin blotches on their little faces. This type of acne seems to upset the parents more than it does the baby. Newborns have no whereabouts of their skin condition unless it hurts them, and this is neither painful nor itchy to them. The parents become upset rather easily regarding the acne on their new baby's skin, and want it off sooner rather than later. A simple trip to the drugstore and you can be on your way to clearing your infant's skin.

The baby is showing the acne as a result of additional hormones usually still left within them from the pregnancy. Their little bodies don't know what to do with these hormones and they in return try to extract them through the glands in the skin on the face. One way to stop this from happening is by using mild soaps on the baby's skin. Visit your local drug store and pick something up that is made just for baby's and their fine skin. Do not ever use harsh chemicals or medications on their faces, and no matter what do not put regular adult acne creams on them! This will cause an even deeper acne situation that can get into scarring the skin or making it too dry and ripping open. Check the detergent that you are using for the baby as well. If you are using a regular soap that you have always used, your baby make be breaking out from that. They do make detergents that are just for infants and you should use these until the baby is at least a few months old, some mothers use it until the baby has reached one year old. Just as you infant can suffer from diaper rash as a result of being wet or damp for too long on their bottoms, they can also obtain baby acne on their faces from their skin not being dry enough. Always keep their skin dry and clean, and talk to your doctor if you need additional guidance to treat your baby's skin.

How To Safely Raise A Low Birth Weight Of A Newborn

Perhaps you like millions of other families have a newborn in your life that was born prematurely or simply a tad on the small side. This may not be any concern of the pediatricians, but you may want the baby to gain a little bit of weight to feel more comfortable with them health wise. This is completely normal and it can be done so do not worry that your baby will be tiny forever!

Firstly, ensure that your doctor does not have he or she on any diet restrictions. If they are on a special type of formula or other diet supplements. If they have a free clearance to have formula or breast milk, then you are good to proceed. You can use baby cereal if your doctor permits it. Some preemies have to have this from as early as two weeks old to help their bodies digest the foods. Many smaller babies also suffer from acid reflux disorder which can account for many ailments. If the baby has trouble sleeping, feeding or throws up after eating, you may need this taken a look at. They can suffer from lesions in the esophagus that can be permanent if not treated correctly. You doctor will help put the newborn on a special feeding schedule if that is the case and you should always prop the baby's head up higher than the rest of their little bodies to help aide their digestion going down smoother.

Baby cereal comes in all types of flavors. It can be in oatmeal or rice typically, and they do have various organic versions on the market today also. You simply take a teaspoon full and mix it into the baby's bottle at feeding times. It is the smallest amount of cereal that can make a world of difference in helping your newborn gain weight quickly. They can increase this amount if they begin to require larger liquid meals as they grow. Use common sense, if you put too much baby cereal flakes in the bottle the baby will not be able to get the liquid out of the bottle. It instantly creates a thicker consistency of liquid that makes it trying for a newborn to get out of the holes in the nipples of the bottle lid. Just a teaspoon for now should begin to do the trick. Many parents use this technique to get the baby to sleep all night long as well. When a newborn has a full tummy they will sleep longer, the cereal can provide that which is an added bonus!

Once the baby progresses along and they are a few months old, you can begin using baby food to help them with their weight plan. Introducing peaches, bananas and pears to the baby with a small amount of baby cereal in it can continue to help the preemie get back into a more average weight and height for their age.

How To Bathe A Newborn

Living with a newborn baby has endless learning curves. They rely on you for simply everything. Learning how to bathe a newborn may seem like a trivial task, but for many new mothers and fathers it is something that may take some practice.

How often you decide to bathe your child when they are this young will be up to you. Some parents feels they should bathe them daily, while doctors say this can dry their skin to use caution when doing so. Newborns do not exactly get dirty on a regular basis like older children will as they don't lay on floors, play outside and they don't eat solid foods to get very messy. Their neck, face and diaper areas are the places that will need careful attention paid to.

Deciding what time of day to bathe them is another decision. Most parents go with the evening, as this sets the tone for years to come. Baths at night have a habit of calming kids down and getting them ready to sleep. Use a time that is not very busy in your day and one that you can spend time doing it and enjoy them. Some parents do not even use a tub until the child is much older. They simply sponge bathe the newborn for many weeks. This again, will be up to you. Their umbilical cord will need careful cleaning, and many organizations say it is best to give the baby a sponge bath until that has completely healed up.

After those things have been taken care of, you can down to the cleaning portion! Use very mild soap on your baby as they are prone to rashes at this age. they do not need lathered up in soap or shampoo. Instead, use baby safe products in case they get any in their eyes, nose or mouth to clear it out quickly. Clean their necks well, and their hands, face and diaper areas. Use baby powder if they need it to smell more fresh and to stay dry as well.

You do not need a lot of water to bathe a newborn either. Usually about three inches of water will be suffice, this is plenty to keep their little bodies warm and it can also prevent drowning as well. If you opt to use a baby tub for those beginning stages, make sure you are using it as the package states to. This can keep your baby from getting injured and some even have excellent safety features on them such as stickers on the basin that show when the water is too hot to place the baby in and so on. They are relatively inexpensive and you can use one for months until the baby grows out of it.

Newborn Health Information

Having a newborn in the home is an exciting time for the whole family. It can also be quite a learning experience as well. The parents must learn to adapt to the baby just as much as the baby is learning to adapt to them. Newborn health should be followed very closely to all the resources you will be provided with from the pediatrician and also from any books or online resources you can get your hands on.

To fulfill your newborn health you must start during pregnancy. Everything that the mother does and is involved in during the pregnancy will directly effect the infant. This means you cannot engage in any foods, drinks or medications that may be unsafe for your baby. Alcohol and drugs are never a wise option for any pregnant woman, medications even the ones that can be purchased at the store as an over the counter medication should not be taken unless your doctor gives the ok to do so. Eating a nutritional diet and getting every visit in to the doctor to ensure your baby will be safe and healthy is key.

Once the baby is born and you have your little bundle of joy the next step in newborn health should be to provide that same good nutrition to your infant as well. All newborns have a different eating schedule and they will have different personal preferences for how well they eat and when they sleep. A newborn that is full is one that will sleep very well. Next you must always work closely with your newborn’s doctor to get all the immunizations they need to continue being healthy and to grow and develop just as planned. It is the choice of the parents to get these immunizations which will be something to discuss prior to giving birth. When you do deliver the baby, it is the first days they are in the hospital that they are given their very first immunizations so you need to have that established before going there to advise the nursing staff of what your decision is.

Keeping the baby is safe at all times is another large factor of good overall newborn health. A newborn cannot really get around very well as they cannot even sit up yet, but what they can do very quickly is roll over and they can also scratch themselves and pull blankets over their heads and many babies nearly suffocate themselves in the process. Always keep smaller blankets in the newborn’s crib or place them in a blanket sleeper that they will not harm themselves in and also stay warm while they are sleeping. Newborns are generally simple to care for as they must eat every few hours and the rest of the day they essentially spend sleeping. Keep your newborn clean, dry and fed and the weeks will go by very fast until they begin to reach certain milestones in their lives such as walking and talking so enjoy the quiet weeks as they do grow up very fast.