First Time Newborn Parent Tips
Summary: Your heart just melted when the doctor handed you your baby.  You're a first time parent - Congratulations!  Your little bundle of joy is now ready to come home, what an exciting day it is!

You have made it through nine months of pregnancy and the labor and delivery that followed.  Now things have come full circle, the adrenaline has settled and there's no instruction manual? You are not alone, many have done it before and much of the care that you will give your baby will come naturally.

First, we start with holding your baby, you'll want to hold her and she'll like the safety and security of being snuggled tightly to your body.  This is part of your bonding process.  There are several safe ways to hold and carry her, you'll quickly learn which positions she likes best.  The main point that you want to remember is that she cannot hold her head up on her own, and she is going to rely on you to do that for her - each and every time that you pick her up.  You can nestle her head into your neck, with one hand behind her head and neck and the other hand under her bottom.  Or, you can rest her body across your forearm, with her head in the crook of your elbow.  And of course you can seat yourself and lay your baby down on her back, resting her in your lap.  As long as your baby's head is properly supported and she is held in a safe manner, not at risk of being dropped, you can hold her however you deem is comfortable for both of you.

Feeding her will be around the clock, possibly as often as every two hours in the beginning.  Breastfed babies will nurse more often than formula fed babies.  Newborns eat less and more often, as they grow they will eat more, less often.  Once her tummy is full she will let you know by turning away and becoming disinterested.  Never try to force food on your baby, when she's ready to eat she will eat.  Your baby will get all of the water that she needs in her breast milk and formula feedings, so you do not want to supplement her with water, juice, cow's milk or anything else.  Substituting can actually harm your baby by causing her to become dehydrated.  

While you are feeding your baby she is likely going to swallow air, this is normal.  The swallowed air can cause her stomach to hurt, cause her to spit up and cause hiccups.  After each feeding prop her up on your shoulder, with her chin aligned to your shoulder and gently pat her back.  Remember that she is tiny and your pats need to be gentle and her head must be supported against your body during this process.  If you are uncomfortable burping your baby in this position you can lay her in your lap face down and gently pat her back, which will work just as well.

After feeding she will probably be ready to go back to sleep, infants can sleep as much as ten hours a day.  Make sure that your baby sleeps in her own bed, not in a bed with you, and that her mattress is firm.  Keep all fluffy toys, bedding and pillows out of her bed, regardless of how empty it might look - it is what she needs. These seemingly harmless items can be fatal to an infant.  Position your baby on her back.  For extra warmth you can dress her in age appropriate sleepwear.  As early as possible try to begin working with your baby to establish a day and night routine.  At night avoid turning on bright lights and keeping the room well lit for extended periods of time when changing diapers or feeding.  Break up long daytime naps and try to play with your baby in the daytime; this will help her to sleep better at night.  


Bathing your baby should be with lukewarm water, tested on the inside of your wrist.  The water should be no deeper than 2" - 3".  Use a cup and pour water over your baby's body periodically to keep her from getting a chill as you bathe her.  As soon as she is finished dry and clothe her quickly.  She should not need more than two or three baths per week, anymore will irritate her sensitive skin.

When she cries make sure that her diaper is dry and she has been fed, then try rocking or walking with her, rubbing her back, burping her or gently loving on her.  Babies cry for various reasons, it is their way of communicating. You will quickly learn your baby's cries and her communication through those cries.

Congratulations on your new little one!continue to grow.