Don't freak out — it's all quite normal!
New-born Freak-out #1: There’s some weird stuff going on in my baby’s diaper!From greenish-black gook the consistency of tar, to runny, mustard-yellow stools, pretty much anything goes when it comes to baby poop. Strange poops are perfectly normal. Don’t worry, unless your infant is not having bowel movements at all, or he has blood in his stools. Change diapers frequently to avoid diaper rash - if your baby does develop a rash, check with your paediatrician before treating it.
New-born Freak-out #2: My baby is going to starve!Breastfeeding can be exhausting and surprisingly frustrating. Don’t leave the hospital without the phone number of a good lactation consultant, and be prepared to call her if the need arises. Breastfeeding can be hard at first, but in almost all cases, mom and baby both catch on before long and are glad that they stuck it out.
New-born Freak-out #3: Slippery when wet!How can bath time be so scary? When you’re trying to hold a slippery wet baby and clean all her little crevices, you can feel like a movie-of-the week waiting to happen. Luckily, until your baby’s cord falls off, a sponge bath with a lukewarm washcloth should be all she needs. After that, fill up the kitchen sink or a small infant tub with one to two inches of water for a bath every few days. Have everything you need (towel, washcloth, mild baby soap) handy before you begin. Pour cupfuls of warm water over your baby’s body and head regularly so he doesn’t get cold. If you are worried about slipping, try this — use one hand to support your infant’s head and neck and cup his bottom with the other hand, wrapping your fingers around his thigh for a better grip.
New-born Freak-out #4: I’m going to break his neck!When it comes to dressing baby, terror is the name of the game. That fragile little neck! Those delicate little fingers! Those tiny, bendable limbs! To reduce stress, look for clothes that make it easy on you (snap-front shirts and outfits with wide necks or shoulder snaps are good). Lay your baby down on a comfortable, flat surface and talk to her in a calm voice while you dress her. Be gentle. Reach into the sleeves to pull your infant’s hands out rather than trying to shove her arms in. Make sure the elastic isn’t too tight.New-born Freak-out #5: Baby’s belly is disgusting!Nobody ever said an umbilical cord was pretty. Once it dries completely, the cord becomes hard and black and should fall off within one to four weeks. Some paediatricians recommend swabbing the area with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to help dry it. Avoid getting the cord wet or covering it with a diaper.
New-born Freak-out #6: This child is driving me insane!New-borns can be stressful — they don’t operate on any kind of schedule, demand food at odd intervals and sleep when it’s most inconvenient for you. Have a plan for how you’re going to do things (example, on-demand feeding or a more scheduled approach), but prepare to be flexible. Respond to your baby’s needs and follow the best advice you will ever receive — sleep when your baby sleeps! It’s without a doubt the best thing you can do to recover from labour, delivery, and the exhaustion of motherhood.
