layout image layout image
 
newborn care  header image

Bringing Your Newborn Home

Birth is not easy on anyone. You are worn out and stressed, and your newborn is learning to cope with a new bright and noisy environment. Even if the birth was a smooth one, you are both going through a lot of changes and will tend to be out of sorts for the first few weeks. The important thing is to just stay calm and take things slowly during this adjustment period. Some of the tips below may help ease the transition.

 

Talk and sing to your newborn

Your baby grows used to the sound of your voice while he is growing inside of you. Therefore after he is born, your voice will continue to have a soothing effect on him. So sing lullabies, talk to him and read rhyming stories so he can be calmed by your familiar voice.

Make eye contact with your newborn

Your newborn may not have perfect vision but he can still see you. Most mothers will tell you their newborn can look into their eyes and that they show signs of recognition. Get your newborn familiar with your face by talking to him and looking him in the eye while you massage him and interact with him.

Touch your newborn often

It's natural and common sense. Stroking your newborn's arms, legs and head will relax him and enhance your bond. You might want to learn infant massage techniques so you can help him fall asleep and relieve stress. Hold your baby next to you and carry him in a baby sling if possible. This will help to reassure and calm your newborn and help him to thrive. Using a baby sling will keep your baby close but allow you to move your arms around and do other things at the same time. This can have a calming effect upon you too. The first few weeks of life is not the time to let your baby cry it out alone in his crib.

Respond to your newborn's cries

Crying is the only way your newborn has to communicate. It could mean he is hungry, old, in pain, sick, or just bored. At this young age, the best thing for you to do is respond to his cries by picking him up and cuddling and trying to determine the reason behind his cries. It won't be long until you are able to decipher his cries and will be able to soothe him quickly. Don't worry about spoiling your newborn. At this young age, babies need to be tended to in order to help them feel secure and to develop trust and enhance maternal bonding.

Don't try to be perfect

During those first few weeks, you may be out of sync with your newborn and feel like crying yourself. Don't expect perfection from yourself or your newborn. Just take it slow and communicate your love and let everything else fall into place.

 

Newborn Care Recommended Products
Taking Care Of Children News

In this economy, don't count on comprehensive health reform - Chicago Tribune


Wall Street Journal

In this economy, don't count on comprehensive health reform
Chicago Tribune, United States - 44 minutes ago
So warn a growing number of policy analysts, including Joseph Antos, the Wilson H. Taylor scholar in health care and retirement policy at the American ...
Video: McCain, Obama Differ Dramatically on Health Care AssociatedPress
The economy and the election It’s an ill wind Economist
Care about Health Care? ireport
Human Events - Memphis Commercial Appeal
all 1,687 news articles

Read more...


Basu: Develop more options for desperate parents - DesMoinesRegister.com


ABC News

Basu: Develop more options for desperate parents
DesMoinesRegister.com, IA - 13 hours ago
Of course, parents are responsible for taking care of their children. But sometimes the most responsible thing they can do is place them where they'll be ...
Alternatives to the Safe Haven Law KOLN
HHS official calls for new safe haven law Wahoo Newspaper
Nebraska safe haven law draws criticism abc13.com
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
all 599 news articles

Read more...


Drug companies: No cold medicines for kids under 4 - The Associated Press


Drug companies: No cold medicines for kids under 4
The Associated Press - 20 hours ago
Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., an advocate for children's health care, said he will continue to press the FDA to ban the drugs for children under 6. ...

Read more...


Haven from the storm for parents, children - Minneapolis Star Tribune


Haven from the storm for parents, children
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 4 hours ago
Minnesota has about 15 crisis nurseries, mostly small operations that place children in private homes or day care for up to three days. ...

Read more...


The Parenting Vote - New York Times


New York Times

The Parenting Vote
New York Times, United States - 3 hours ago
What if anything, does either party plan to do to support the 45 percent of employees taking care of our growing elderly population? ...

Read more...


 
layout image layout image