New Parents Newsletter
Emilee Morales
Newborn Appearance
During childbirth the baby's head is being pressed against the mother in the birth canal, so when they come out their face may be smashed in and their head may be cone shaped. The baby's skin might be covered in fine hare called lanugo. Likely to occur on their shoulders and back. Some babies are born with a white substance on their skin known as vernix caseosa, but it's nothing to worry about. It's just amniotic fluid!
Infant Bonding
When the baby is first born, skin-to-skin contact is a very good way to bond with your baby because they feel the parents' warmth and they feel safe. If the mother can and wants to, breastfeeding is a great way for the baby to bond with their mother and although this can't include the father, bottle feeding can help with the father-baby bonding. Parents don't like to hear their baby crying and responding quick to the baby's discomfort will let him/her know that they can trust their parents and allow for bonding time.
Guidelines for Appropriate Toys
- has tightly structured parts
- has a cord 12 inches or less
- is colorful
- is painted with non-toxic substances
- has rounded edges
Pros/Cons of Breastfeeding v. Bottle Feeding
The pros of bottle feeding are that the mom can make it anywhere, the baby's can participate in feedings, it doesn't hurt the mom, the amount the baby is consuming is made aware and it makes it easier for the mom to return to work. The cons of bottle feeding are that it isn't free, the baby has a greater chance of an allergic response, the baby my be more gassier, the formula must be mixed right and the bottles had to be sanitized correctly.
First Foods and When They Should Be Introduced
SIDS Prevention and Crib Safety
- always use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet
- don't use pillows, blankets, or crib bumpers in the sleeping area
- don't smoke around the baby
- dress baby in one piece sleeper
- always lay the baby down in their backs to sleep
- make sure noting is around the baby's head
Crib safety goes right along with SIDS prevention and there are ways to know and make sure that the crib your baby is sleeping in is the safest that it can be for your baby.
- make sure there are no gaps wider than 2 fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress
- never place a crib near a window, especially one with curtain cords
- don't place any pillows or thick blankets in the crib
- all the screws are tightly fastened and no broken parts