Newborns are not just bundle of joys but they are a huge bundle of surprise as well. No matter how much you heard or read about them, they will not cease to take you by utter surprise and joy. You just don’t know what to expect and what not to expect from them.
Here are some of the must-know things about the newborn you are expecting:
- Babies have a soft spot on the head
Soft spot is nothing to be terrified of. The soft spot is the soft portion of the skull that is still not developed completely. This opening in the skull greatly helps the baby find its way out of the birth canal. Don’t worry! You can comb the soft spot and lightly rub your hand over the soft hair of the baby. Don’t be scared if you feel pulse at this spot. You can feel it because this spot is found right above the blood vessels in the baby’s brain.
- Dry skin is normal
So the smooth and silky skin of your baby has suddenly become dry. That is always the case with newborns. And why not! They were immersed in liquid for complete nine months and now they are suddenly out in the air. It’s natural for babies to have dry skin. The skin will flake off and peel out on its own. You don’t have to apply anything. If you are still concerned, you can use hypoallergenic baby lotion. Similarly, they can even fall a victim of baby acne. No need get all worked up about it. Even that goes away on its own. Baby acne, dry skin and pink bumps are just typical and harmless baby things.
- Keep the umbilical cord dry
If you want the umbilical cord to fall off quickly, then you have to keep it dry. Don’t give your baby a bath. Besides, babies don’t even get that dirty. Just use a sponge to clean him up and pat him dry so that the cord doesn’t get wet. Mild bleeding as the cord gets disconnected is also normal. No need to freak out.
- No response until 6 weeks old
We are too quick to expect response from the baby in return of all the baby talk we do with them. No, they won’t coo or smile at you until they are at least 6 weeks old. Till then you can only expect complains in the form of all the crying they do (that’s what babies do). All they want is to be held and fed.
- Babies love sleeping but not for long
Babies sleep a lot but not continuously. They like dozing off every now and then which will sleep deprive you as well. It is only when they are three months old that they tend to sleep for continuous 6 to 8 hours a day. Till then, try to help them to learn the difference between day and night and get to them sleep more at night rather than day.
- Babies cry to talk to you
Whether they want to tell you they have pooped, cold, or hungry, all they do is crying. They will cry when they want to be held. They will cry when they want you to make them sleep. They will cry if they are not feeling well. That is how they talk to you which is why they will do that a lot. Initially, it will be such a pain in the ears but then you will learn to figure out what he needs.
- Babies want food in short gaps
Babies need to be fed every two to three hours. Don’t be all worried when your newborn loses six to eight percent of his birth weight in the first week. He will gain it back in the second week. To check if he is putting on healthy weight, keep checking how many wet diapers and stools he passes. First five days might be confusing but soon there should be one or two stools a day and five wet diapers. If you are nursing, checking on the baby’s weight may be tricky. It is only best to keep a check on his weight.
- This too shall pass
You might be sleep deprived, lonely, exhausted and frustrated. The initial stage is the most difficult one. You will not know how time just passed and your little baby has grown up. So just take a moment out from all the chaos. Kiss her, smell her, smile at her and hold her. Don’t waste your time stressing over each and everything like changing diapers or giving your baby a bath. Enjoy your early days of motherhood before they are gone in a snap.
