10 Things To Know About Newborn Babies

Your Newborn May Look a Little Funny

Here's the truth: Your baby's face may be smushed from the journey through the birth canal. Their heads may be cone-shaped, especially if they "dropped" into your birth canal well before delivery or endured a long labor.

Newborn babies can also sport a "bodysuit" of fine hair called lanugo or a coating called vernix, especially if they arrived a little early. These newborn characteristics are all normal—and, usually, temporary. Enjoy their special and precious "birthday" appearance!

You'll Have To Wait for Smiles

Your baby's first smile will probably light up your life around the 2-month mark. Up until then, you're working for a pretty demanding boss. To get through the exhaustion and emotional upheaval, keep this in mind: Your efforts in those early days aren't lost on your baby.

"Your baby feels comforted by you, they do feel attachment, and they do like to be held," says Los Angeles-based pediatrician Christopher Tolcher, MD. Plus, there is plenty of bonding and developing going on internally, even if you have to wait a few months to see it.

You'll Also Have To Wait for Bath Time

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting a full 24 hours after birth for your baby's first bath. They also recommend sponge baths until your baby's umbilical cord falls off. If the cord is kept dry, it falls off faster—usually within one or two weeks. If the umbilical cord does get wet, pat it dry.

And if the stump bleeds a little when the cord falls off, that's OK, too, as Alyson Bracken, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, learned. "It scared me at first," she says, but then she found out that mild bleeding and even a scab can be normal. (If, on the other hand, you notice any pus, drainage, excessive bleeding, or the stump doesn't fall off on its own, visit your pediatrician.)

The Soft Spot Is Nothing To Fear

"I was terrified of the soft spot," admits April Hardwick, of New York City, referring to the opening in the skull, also called the fontanel, that allows a baby to maneuver out of the birth canal. "Gemma had a full head of hair at birth, and I was initially afraid to comb over the soft spot," Hardwick says.

But there was no need to worry: "It's OK to touch the soft spot and baby's hair near it," says Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, pediatrician and author of Mommy Calls. The spot may pulsate because it's directly over blood vessels covering the brain.

Your Baby Will Let You Know If They're Not Eating Enough

Newborn babies need to eat every two to three hours, but if you're nursing, it's tough to know how much milk your baby is actually getting. The good news is, there is a way to tell: "The baby's weight is the best indicator in the early days," says Dr. Tolcher.

Your pediatrician will check your baby's weight within a few days of discharge and at every checkup. A healthy newborn may lose up to 10% of their birth weight within the first week but should gain it back by the second. If your baby isn't gaining weight appropriately, your doctor will let you know and you can discuss a feeding plan.

Diaper-counting can also act as a gauge: The schedule those first five days is haphazard, but after that, you should see five to six wet diapers a day, and at least one or two stools.

Dry Skin Is Normal for Newborns

Initially, your baby may have soft and silky skin, but that will soon change. "If you soaked yourself in liquid for nine months and then hit the air, you'd be dry too!" says Laura Jana, MD, pediatrician and co-author of Heading Home With Your Newborn.

You don't have to do anything about your baby's dry skin (it typically peels and flakes off), but if you're so inclined, reach for a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free baby lotion.

Little bumps, diaper rashes, and even baby acne may also make an appearance—and that's normal. Call a doctor if a rash begins to ooze, doesn't get better, or if your baby develops a fever, as that could be a sign of an infection that may require treatment.

You Can Choose Your Outings

You have full permission to hole up at home with your baby if you'd like, but you can also venture out into the world with some precautions when you need a change of scenery.

"Use common sense when you go out in public," Dr. Tolcher advises. Keep your baby out of the sun, keep your distance from people who may be sick, and avoid crowded enclosed spaces (such as stores and parties during the holidays). You may also want to take extra precautions during RSV season, roughly from October through March.

"Teach older siblings to touch baby's feet instead of their hands and face, which will help prevent the spread of infection," adds Dr. Tolcher. If needed, feel free to make your older child the hygiene police, suggests Dr. Jana. They might love telling guests, "Don't touch the baby without washing your hands!"

Newborns Can Cry a Lot

Those piercing wails are how newborn babies communicate: They will let you know they're hungry, cold, have a dirty diaper, or want to be held. These early "conversations" can be frustrating but rest assured, you'll get a better handle on what your baby needs in time.

Laurie May, of Boardman, Ohio, and her husband quickly learned to read their daughter's hunger signal. When they were brand-new parents, they set an alarm to go off every two hours to wake Carter for a feeding. "We did not need the alarm!" she says. "We love to laugh at that one now."

Research shows that the amount a baby cries peaks between 5 and 6 weeks. So if you struggle during that time, realize brighter—and quieter—days are likely soon ahead. (And of course, if you feel like something might be wrong, always talk to your pediatrician.)

"Cat Naps" Are a Very Real Thing

Those first three months with a newborn baby can be a free-for-all when it comes to sleep. Your baby needs to eat every two to three hours, so you're not getting much sleep either. "It does get better," assures Dr. Altmann. "Most infants can sleep for six to eight hours by 3 months of age."

Newborn babies don't have a circadian rhythm like adults do, but they will eventually develop it around eight weeks. For now, get your cat naps in when you can, and at night, you can let your baby sleep as long as they want between feeding, as long as your baby's pediatrician has cleared it.

The Newborn Stage Is Fleeting

Stressed, tired, and lonely? The early days of parenting can be a challenge. But they can also be beautiful in their own way, and very, very fleeting. Barbara Evans, of New York City, says, "I wish I'd known how quickly the time goes." The mom to Luella, 8 months, says, "I didn't take enough pictures or keep notes!"

Rabeea Baloch, of Sugarland, Texas, shares some veteran-mom experience: "With my first, I stressed over every single thing, from changing diapers to whether the baby was crying more than usual. With my second, I just enjoyed holding her, smelling her, kissing her, and loving the time together."

Remember, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to get through those early days of newborn parenting.

Some parents will enjoy soaking up those newborn cuddles while others prefer the chaotic fun of toddlerhood. Your personal feelings are valid and if you need help in those early days, don't be afraid to reach out for support from your loved ones and medical providers when you need it.