Congratulations on your brand-new bundle of joy! You have now joined the ranks some of the most fulfilled (albeit, exhausted) people on earth. By now, you’ve undoubtedly realized that caring for a newborn is a full-time job. And since you’d probably like to keep your research time to a minimum and get as much sleep as possible, I’ve listed (and answered!) here some of the most frequently asked questions in the realm of newborn care.
Crying
If caring for the baby is your job, just think of crying as the baby’s job. Keep in mind that this is their only mode of communication, the only way that they can tell you that something is wrong. Some of the most common issues (and places you should check first) are:
Hunger
When was the last time that your newborn was fed? Might they have not drunk enough milk the first time? Watch for signs that your baby is, in fact, hungry. Things like lip smacking and putting their hands to their mouths are dead giveaways.
Clothing Issues
Check to make sure that their clothes are not uncomfortable, too tight, or too loose. Newborns enjoy being swaddled and held, but ensure that the clothing is not inadvertently cutting off circulation.
Dirty Diapers
This is fairly self-explanatory. Just make certain that the baby’s diaper is not soiled in any way. It is also important to note that some babies are more sensitive to the feeling of a soiled diaper than others, so take that into account as well.
Sleep
Although some might assume that babies can just nod off whenever they get the urge, sometimes this is not the case. Babies must be comfortable before they can go to sleep. Just place your newborn in a position that they find cozy, whether this is their crib in the nursery or cuddled up in your arms.
Babies like to be held and wrapped, especially newborns, because it mimics the environment when they’re still inside their mother’s womb. It is entirely possible that the baby is just asking for you to hold them. For first time mothers, it may take some time to learn the art of swaddling. There are lots of tutorials out there or you can ask an experienced mother. You also need to buy high quality baby swaddles, since the level of comfort of your baby would depend on the clothing materials it’s made of.
And while some parents are afraid of
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