The first weeks as a new parent can be joyful, but they can also be riddled with anxiety. It is natural to be nervous about what to do during those first few weeks your baby is home, but things get easier over time. Knowing the basics about what to do and what to expect can make life with your new bundle of joy a much easier, more enjoyable experience.
Holding Your Baby
Always support your baby's head by putting your hand or arm behind her neck. Your baby's neck muscles will be very weak when she is first born, so it's up to you to provide her with the support she needs. Some babies like to be held close to your body, and others will prefer more space. Pay attention to the preferences of your little one to see how she prefers to be held.
Safety
Safety is of the utmost importance. Babies are at their most delicate during their first few weeks of life, so be very careful. Never shake your baby or jerk him around, even while playing. Make sure that he is buckled into a rear-facing carseat every time he rides in the car. While you may be tempted to hold your little one while the car is moving, the law requires that he be strapped into a rear-facing carseat in the back seat of the car.
Desert Pediatrics advises childproofing your home before you bring your baby into it. Make sure all smoke detectors are working, and remove anything potentially sharp and dangerous from your little one's reach.
Feedings
As the old saying goes, "breast is best." The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health recommends breast feeding for multiple reasons, including cost savings, health benefits and to promote bonding. Breast milk helps fight disease, it is easier to digest and it contains all of the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs to grow strong and healthy.
Newborns must be fed every two to four hours, according to Nemours Kids Health. Create a feeding schedule and stick to it to make feeding time easier on you and your baby.
Illness
There are a few illnesses that may rear their ugly heads during your baby's first few weeks of life. According to the Parenting website, jaundice affects about half of all newborns. Characterized by a yellowish tint to the skin, jaundice occurs when bilirubin -- a chemical produced during the formation and breakdown of red blood cells -- builds up. When this happens, your baby's liver may not be able to process it all, and jaundice is the result. Jaundice is usually harmless and clears up on its own after a few days. Your doctor may want to administer regular blood tests and treat your baby with phototherapy to help speed up the process. During phototherapy, your little one is placed under UV lights in the hospital. While it can be traumatic for parents, phototheraphy is painless and can help speed up the healing of this condition.
Colic is another illness that often occurs during the first few weeks of a baby's life. Characterized by apparent stomach pains and periods of incessant crying, What to Expect reports that as many as 20 percent of newborns may face colic. Although it can be a stressful time, colic is nothing to worry about and usually goes away on its own.
Crying
Newborns cry. Sometimes, they cry a lot. MayoClinic.com reports that most babies cry for one to four hours or more each day. Babies can't talk, and crying is the only way your baby knows of to get what she needs. She will cry when she's hungry, when she's wet, when she's in pain, when she wants to be held, or just because she feels like it. Some babies cry more than others, and there is no rhyme or reason to it.
It Gets Easier
Nobody ever said raising a baby was easy. Once the first few weeks of being a new parent has passed, caring for your baby will become second nature. In the meantime, ask for help. Lean on your partner, friends with children, your parents or even your doctor to answer your questions and help you adjust to life as a new parent.
