Babys First Month At A Glance
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Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought yourbaby home and are pretty excited about everything. Perhapsyou don't even mind the fact that getting a good night'ssleep is getting tougher by the day.
Getting into a routine
This is not easy, but rest assured, it will happen. By theend of the first month, new parents discover that their babylets them slip into a comfortable (but exhausting) routine.If this is your first baby, you probably feel totallyamateurish. Relax, let your baby's cues guide you and verysoon you will be a seasoned pro!
Rock-a-bye baby
Your baby will probably sleep 12-18 hours a day betweenregular feedings. If you are lucky, your baby will sleep forlonger stretches at night. Do not let your one-month oldbaby sleep through the night. At this age, infants need tofeed at least every 2-3 hours for healthy development.Regular feeds are also important in stimulating your milksupply, which will get established during the first month.
Baby is growing
By the end of one month, your baby should be able to focuson faces, lift his head briefly when on stomach, andprobably startle in response to a loud noise. All babiesreach developmental milestones at a genetically set time,which differs with every baby. Do not expect your baby to goby the book. Your baby's weight might decrease in the firstfew days as he loses fluids postdelivery. Most newborns stoplosing weight by the fifth day and surpass theirbirthweights in about fifteen days.
Cause for concern?
More than fifty percent of babies develop newborn jaundicebecause their immature livers cannot handle the extrabilirubin (the yellow pigment) they produce. Mild tomoderate physiological jaundice requires no treatment.Others might require medical attention in the form ofbililight therapy.
Babies born by normal deliveries usually have misshapenheads. Your baby's head will gradually attain a regularshape; you can prevent flattening by giving her a little'tummy time' everyday.
Colic and continuous crying are things that most parentsdread. Hours of dealing with a crying baby coupled with lackof sleep and exhaustion can drive anyone crazy. It is vitalto seek help and give both your baby and yourself a breakduring spells of colic. Time tested methods such as rocking,"the colic carry", swaddling and soothing music can workwonders on a baby who seems to be screaming his lungs out.
Ouch! It hurts
Your baby will receive a Hepatitis B shot in the first monthof life. This shot is not known to cause fever. Your babywill probably cry for a few minutes and that will be all.
Allergic to milk?
Milk allergy is the most common form of food allergy ininfants. Frequent throwing up, loose watery stools andwheezing might be signs of a milk allergy. If your baby isintolerant to milk, try another formula before switching tosoy substitutes.
Explosive bowel movements and frequent passing of gas arecommon in infants and will disappear once the kinks in hisbowel get straightened out.
We are different
All new parents have numerous questions lurking in theirminds, especially first time parents. No book or article canexplain everything about your baby, who like all babies isdifferent from the rest. Write down the specific questionsyou have about your baby to ask your healthcare provider.
Enjoy the time you spend with your baby and make the bestout of your first month together. The first month is theperfect time to forge a bond with baby, a bond for life.
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