New Parent Informtion for You
Adrianna Aguayo
Newborn Appearance
- it often takes a few days to a few weeks for your baby to tuurn into the angelic-looking cherub you might have been expecting.
- That first head of hair — if your baby has one at all — is likely to be replaced by locks that are entirely different in texture and color.
- The fine, downy hair that might be covering your baby's body called lanugo (no, you haven't given birth to a baby chimp) will fall out within the next few weeks.
- And don't forget to capture this week in photos, in a journal, and in your mind, because by next week, there will be big changes, baby!
Bonding with your infant
- As the most valuable member of your baby's medical team, you can still find ways to connect with your newborn through your touch, your voice and your milk.
- Babies cry to communicate, not to manipulate, so learning how to decipher your baby's cries and respond appropriately -- whether with a feeding, a diaper change or a simple, comforting touch -- teaches her to trust you to understand her needs and take care of them.
- Before you know it, the principles of AP will become second nature for all of you, and you'll be well on your way to creating a happy, close-knit family.
Appropriate Toys
- Read any printed warnings or safety precautions that are also listed on the package to determine if there is an additional risk that would make the toy inappropriate for your child.
- Look at the quality of the toy construction, especially if the toy has small parts attached to it. Poor construction increases the risk of a small part popping off while your child plays with the toy.
- These toys may encourage your child to act more aggressively when playing with them. Consider if you want your young child exposed to these aggressive toys.
Pros and cons for breast feeding and bottle feeding
- Some mothers find the prospect of breastfeeding after having ‘shared’ their body with the baby for nine months of pregnancy, just too much. They want to have their
body back to themselves as soon as possible - Infant milk is not as nutritionally complete as breast milk. Although manufacturers are constantly modifying infant milk so it resembles breast milk as closely as possible, there is no doubt that it is an inferior product, as it cannot reproduce the living antibodies and antibacterial properties which protect the baby against infection
First foods to baby's that should be introduced
WEEK 1
Try 1 tablespoon for the first few feedings.
WEEK 2
Continue with feeding small amounts; your baby will still be getting used to solid foods
WEEK 3
Continue feeding small amounts.
WEEK 4
Baby may be on a wider variety of foods now. Try mixing those acceptable foods.
WEEK 5
Offer these foods for 3 or 4 days then move to another one.
Characteristics of a healthy child
- Reflect Happy and Cheerful feelings, Friendly, Confident, Adaptable, Enjoys Both Individual and Group Activities, Enjoys Quiet Activities which require concentration, effort and skills, Interested in New Experiences
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Good Appetite, Bright Eyes, Clear skin, Plenty of Energy, Active, Alert, Well-Developed Muscles, Teeth in Good Condition, Few Aches and Pains, Often Noisy, Sleeps Soundly, Gains Steady in Height and Weight Over period of Months.
SIDS prevention and crib safety
- Although there is no 100% way to prevent SIDS, there is a lot you can do lower your baby’s risk.
- Your baby’s risk of SIDS is much higher any time he sleeps on his side or stomach. (A baby placed on his side can roll over on his stomach.) These positions put your baby’s face in the mattress or sleeping area, which can smother him.
- Once your baby can roll over both ways, which usually happens around 6 months, he may not stay on his back. That’s OK. It’s fine to let him choose his own sleep position once he knows how to roll over.