Caring for Your New Baby

So, you have made it thru 40 weeks of being pregnant, and the birth of your wonderful new baby. The time is quickly approaching that you may take your new bundle of joy home from the hospital, and begin bonding with each other and growing together as parents and baby. But, somewhere in the back of your mind, are you wondering exactly what you will do with your newborn when you go home? What will you do when she needs her first bath, or how will you get her to sleep at night? These are just a couple of common questions new parents have when it is time to take their newborn home.

In the first few weeks of life, your baby’s main goal is to eat so she can grow, sleep so she can grow, and start bonding and developing a relationship with her family. As a parent, it is your responsibility to provide her with the proper nutrition, so that she may develop physically and mentally into a healthy, intelligent baby. You only have two options for food at this newborn stage, either breast milk, or formula. Most pediatricians now recommend that your baby nurse exclusively for the first six months, but if you decide that nursing isn’t for you, formula is certainly a safe alternative. The hospital and your pediatrician will probably recommend that you feed your baby on a schedule, and if it works for you, this is a convenient solution. But, be prepared, most babies will set their own schedule, especially if they are breast fed. Usually after the first six weeks or so, your breastfed baby will have her own routine figured out, and nursing will become much easier for both parties. With formula, just make certain is prepared exactly according to package directions, and that all utensils and bottles are kept clean and sterilized to avoid any harmful bacteria from getting to your baby.