New Parent Manual
Mallory Hayes
What will your baby look like?
- Your baby's head will be large in proportion to their body
- Your baby may be crossed eyed
- His or her head might be abnormally shaped
- The baby's skin might be covered in a cheese like substance called vernix caseosa
- The baby's skin might also be covered in hair
How should you bond with your baby?
You can bond with your baby in every day activities like:
- Feeding
- Reading
- Bathing
- Getting ready
- Naps
- Playtime
What toys should you get?
All toys should follow theses guidelines:
- Made of durable materials
- Has rounded edges
- Nontoxic paint
- Colorful
- No longer than 12 inch cords
- Tightly constructed
- Age appropriate
- Balls
- Toy piano
- Toy lawnmower
- Blocks
- Stuffed animals
Should you breastfeed or bottle feed?
Breastfeeding
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- All natural
- Bonding
- Less risk of allergies
- Sanitary
- You can lose weight
- Uterus heals faster
- Needing private place
- Some babies can't latch on
- May not have necessary nutrition
- Time consuming
- No help
- Enlarges breasts
Pros:
- Comfortable
- You get breaks
- Convienant
- Not messy
- Promotes hand control
- Anyone can help
- Expensive
- Equipment
- Chemicals
- No immunities
- Cleaning equipment
When should you feed your baby solids?
At birth: milk through breast/bottle
2-4 Weeks: vitamin C
4 Weeks: fluoridated water
3 Months: cereals
3-4 Months: egg yolk
4 Months: puréed veggies/fruits
6 Months: puréed meats
7 Months: breads/pastas
Later: chopped adult food
Is your child healthy?
Signs of a healthy child:
- Sleeps soundly
- Eats properly
- Gains in growth steadily
- Good teeth
- Few pains
- Enjoys activities
- Alert or energetic
What is SIDS and what should my crib look like?
SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Your crib should:
- Have a firm mattress
- Closely spaced bars
- Have padding
- Be painted with nontoxic paint
- Be tightly constructed