Newborn Babies – Some Things That Are Important To Know

There are some lesser known things to know about newborn babies. These are things that no one tells you when you are pregnant but that you will quickly realize once the baby is born.

When a couple has made the choice to become parents and hold a newborn baby in their arms, it is probably the most amazing feeling they will experience in their entire lives.

But this moment also holds some surprises!

The appearance of newborn babies can be a surprise

Your baby’s head may not look the way you expected. Maybe you expected a perfect round shape.

The reality is that the baby’s head had to go through the birth canal to end up in your arms. The flexible bones of the skull may be slightly deformed to facilitate passage.

Don’t worry if the shape of your baby’s skull is a bit ovoid. This is only temporary and will change to the round shape you expected after a few days.

You won’t see a smile for the first six weeks

It can be a little frustrating at times for tired parents who give up their sleep for their baby and never get a smile in return.

But this will only be so during the first six weeks. Do you know that in these first few weeks it is crucial that you give the baby all the care and love you can muster?

Thanks to your efforts, the baby will develop a very close bond with you. The child will only want to be with mom and dad because of all the things you do for the baby.

Know that after about six weeks you will be able to enjoy his or her beautiful smile.

Be careful with the umbilical cord

When you wash the baby you have to be extra careful with the umbilical cord because it should fall off on its own. You must not force this. In addition to considerable pain for the baby, this could also cause an umbilical hernia.

While washing, make sure that the umbilical cord does not get wet. Using a washcloth is a great way to wash your baby without getting this part of the body wet.

Don’t worry about hygiene because a baby’s umbilical cord doesn’t get dirty. If the umbilical cord does get wet during washing, you should carefully dry it.

It will take about two weeks for the umbilical cord to fall off on its own. In the meantime, don’t worry as this is a natural process that will happen on its own.

Be extra careful with the baby’s head

Newborn babies’ heads have some soft parts called fontanelles. The skull is not yet fully grown. This is because flexibility is required to pass through the birth canal.

Keep this in mind when picking up your baby, bathing, dressing, or whatever.

You may stroke the head and comb the hair, but be aware that this area is particularly sensitive and delicate. During the first two years of life, the skull will become firmer and less fragile. Slowly your baby will develop a normal skull.

Your baby will make it clear when he is full

Your baby will have to eat when he tells you to. In general, newborn babies eat every two to three hours. However, if you are breastfeeding this can be even more frequent.

When you’re breastfeeding, it can sometimes be difficult to know when your baby is full. It is difficult to estimate whether breast milk will cover their needs.

It is important to understand their body language so that you can feed them according to their needs. This means seeing when they are hungry and when they are satisfied.

You will see if they are eating enough because they usually gain 5-8% body weight during the first week after birth. You will also see if they are defecating enough each day (you will need to change 5 to 6 diapers per day).

They will have dry skin

During birth, they will have soft and oily skin. Over time this will change. The skin will become drier.

That is why it is important to use a moisturizing lotion for the delicate skin of newborn babies. It must be hypoallergenic.

You will also notice that your baby cries a lot – this is their only way to communicate with you. They will sleep a lot and need your love and attention all the time.

Do not worry. This phase will pass quickly.