10 Facts To Know About Newborns

Pregnancy and giving birth is an exciting experience; enjoy being a parent by knowing the 10 basic facts about newborns.

10 basic facts about newborns:

1) Most newborns at birth have a puffy face, body covered with fine hair and their eyes are often shut. Your baby is funny looking due to the torturous journey through the birth canal after 9 months in the mother’s womb.  

2) Many pediatricians feel that it is better to not give a newborn a bath until the umbilical cord falls off; it would fall off faster within 2 weeks if it is dry. It is best to pat it dry when it gets wet and not worry about the mild bleeding of the stump as the cord falls off.

3) We would see the rewards in the form of smiles and coos only around the 6th week of life; pediatricians are the opinion the newborn would definitely feel comforted when held and experience a sense of attachment towards the parents.

4) It is best understood that dry skin is the norm for newborns that have been soaked in liquid for 9 months and suddenly hit air; nothing needs to be done to the dry skin that initially peels and flakes off.  We could use a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free baby lotion for those pink bumps, diaper rash and baby acne.

5) Most of us may be terrified to handle that soft spot; the fontanels or the opening in the skull that allows the baby to push itself from the birth canal. Eminent pediatricians are of the opinion that it is OK to touch the soft spot and handle the hair around it; the spot may only pulsate as it is directly over the blood.  

6) Most of us as new parents need to understand that babies communicate something to us by their frequent piercing wails; our babies may be either hungry, cold, may want to be held or have a dirty diaper. Soon we would be able to recognize these alarms and act according.

7) Newborns sleep a lot, but not for long stretches; they get up every 2 to 3 hours for a feed. However most infants of 3 months and more sleep 6 to 8 hours; it would be beneficial to get the baby into a day and night schedule. This could be done waking up the infant every 3 hours for a feed during the day and allowing him/her to sleep as long as he/she wants at night; this can be done after infant has regained his weight at birth.  

8) Your newborn that nurses every 2 to 3 hours will indicate to you if he/she is getting enough food; firstly your baby’s weight is the best indicator. Most newborns lose 5 to 8% of the weight at birth during the 1st week that it gains back in the 2nd. A rough indicator that she is getting enough food is the diaper count; 5 to 6 wet diapers with 1 or 2 stools is a healthy sign.

9) We need to realize that hygiene is very important for newborns; avoid taking the baby out in the sun and avoid sick people, toddler’s birthday parties and going to crowded enclosed spaces. Teach older siblings to not touch the newborns hands or face, but the feet; also be particular that guests wash their hands before handling the infant.

10) Lastly understand that the newborn stage is fleeting; you would simply feel that it flies once it is gone. Most experienced mothers have felt that they just wanted to hold their second, smell them, kiss them and wanted to love their time together. 

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