Blog Futurmama
inely, you've just made it home from the hospital, are totally exhausted, and starting to get a little overwhelmed by all this new mom stuff. (Are we right?) Boy, do we hear you. Those first few weeks (hey, even those first few months) with baby can be pretty intense. With so much to remember and so many "firsts" to cover, it's easy to be left feeling a bit unprepared. Lucky for you, we've put together the ultimate new mom survival guide, packed with all the need-to-know basics you may have missed in those massive baby books (that probably put you on information-overload). Need some swaddling help ASAP? Wondering whether baby's poop is normal? Read on and we'll help put your mind at ease.
How to know what the baby wants?
This is one of the biggest questions I get, and the answer is... you just will. Parents worry so much about how they'll know if the baby is happy or sick or whatever else. Dads especially are so nervous — they assume the mom will just know, that the instinct is delivered with the placenta or something.
It never ceases to amaze me what these same parents say when they come in at the one month visit. They tell me exactly what their baby likes, what it doesn't like, how it likes to be held, and so on. It just cracks me up, how this "helpless” baby that can't even talk is so completely able to communicate exactly what it wants. Somehow, it just works.
Changing Table Safety
That may sound silly, but we definitely get phone calls about babies who roll off the bed or changing table—before their parents even think they can roll! The lesson here? Never leave baby unattended.
It's also important to make sure all creams and medicines are out of reach. You never know what they'll try to put into their mouths.
Safety measures for grown-ups definitely include shielding yourself from a potential shower— both boy and girl babies have been know to spray their parents with pee and poop! But seriously, it's important to wash your hands well after changing and handling diapers. Bacteria that normally live in the gut and are sometimes found in stool can cause diseases when ingested by mouth. So, if you have even microscopic traces of fecal matter on your hands when handling food, you and your entire family can get sick.
Can I Use Baby Wipes on My Newborn?
According to pediatricians, diaper wipes are just fine for newborns. The only exception is if baby develops redness or a rash (other than diaper rash), which is indicative of sensitive skin. In that case, use cotton balls or squares (they'll probably give you some at the hospital) dipped in warm water. When baby is ready for regular wipes, choose ones that are alcohol-free and unscented to prevent irritation. If you do notice any irritation besides diaper rash, switch brands until you find one that doesn't cause a reaction. Talk with your pediatrician about any irritations that seem severe or don't seem to improve.
