Are You A New Parent?? Congratulations!!Your newborn baby has brought happiness, joy and love to your family, but it can’t be avoided that he/she has also brought too many doubts, questions, worries and concerns. The first few months of caring for your baby can turn into a challenge and full of uncertainty. It doesn’t matter whether it's your first child or the third.
Here are some of the common questions and their answers that may provide information and help you settle in the first few months after you bring your bundle of joy home.
Pediatricians advise to feed babies whenever they seem hungry. At about 2 months, your baby should take around 4 ounces at each feeding, and both breast and bottle feedings should be at least every 3 to 4 hours during the day with longer stretches at night.
If your baby is having problems gaining weight, you are advised not to go too long without feeding your little one, even if it means waking up your baby from sleep.
All babies cry. It's perfectly normal. Your baby can't do anything about it. Crying is your baby's way of communicating any or all of those needs and ensuring a response from you. It may sometimes get hard to understand what your baby is telling you. But in time you will learn to recognize what your baby needs. Until then, if your baby is difficult to soothe, he/she may be trying to say that he/she is hungry, feeling cold/hot, needs a diaper change and sometimes just simply need you to pick them up.
Normally the umbilical stumps fall off between five to 15 days after birth. The stump will shrivel up, turn black, and drop off on its own. There will be a small wound that will heal and become your baby's belly button.
Babies aren’t able to roll over by themselves until they turn around 4 months of age. So for now, be sure to place your baby flat on his back to sleep and he/she will likely stay that way all night. By 4 months, your baby will get used to it and prefer to be on his back.
If your baby is about 3 months or more, he/she should sleep around 15 hours in a 24-hour period. Most babies will take 2 to 3 naps during the day and a longer stretch during the night for about 5 hours after a late-night feeding.
At two months, your baby should have at least four to six wet diapers and a few each day to once every few days of poopy diapers.
While breastfeeding, your baby’s stools should be soft and slightly runny. And if formula-fed, your baby’s stools will probably be a little firmer, but should not be hard.
A pediatrician can recommend what’s best for you and your baby. But, generally breastfed babies should be getting vitamin D supplements soon after birth. A few neonatologists also recommend Multi Vitamin supplements for the baby when they are being exclusively breastfed.
Investing in a good pump is very essential if you are planning to join back work. It’s a convenient way to store your milk for your baby.
To keep up your milk supply, breastfeed as much as you can when you're at home. In the mornings, set your alarm early so that you can have a little extra time to nurse and cuddle your baby before you leave for work. And, once you reach home in the evening breastfeed your little one right away.
New parents can quickly get confused and overwhelmed. Most people, whether they are first-timers or old hands on parenting, have some or the other questions regarding parenting running in their heads. Write down all your questions in a bit of paper and ask them to your pediatrician. She is the right person to guide you.
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