Ten things you should know about your baby

Have you just been blessed with a new baby Girl or Boy? With the joy of a new member in the family, there are a few things you should know about your baby to keep things moving smoothly.

You may notice your new baby is not in proportions. His head will seem larger then his body, arms and legs may be skinny and his abdomen may seem very rounded. This is normal. His head may not be perfectly rounded because the bones in the head have to move around each other to allow the head to go down the birth canal. This will not affect his brain or shape of the head and will get back to normal.

New born babies’ skin may have a white greasy substance covering their body and head. Usually the hospital staff will remove it, and sometimes it is left to absorb into the skin naturally. On the other hand, newborn babies’ skin may be dry and peeling and there may be white spots on the face. These also will fade away with time.

Birthmarks as small red marks may appear on the skin, especially in the forehead or back of the neck. These are due to enlarged blood vessels near the skin’s surface. These usually disappear between six and eighteen months.

Don’t be alarmed if your baby becomes jaundiced in the first few days after birth, because he is born with a high level of primitive red cells and when these break down, ‘Bilirubin’ (One of the components) which is a yellow pigment may increase in the blood. This is what causes a yellow discoloration in the skin and whites of the eyes. This will usually disappear in the first week or so and very rarely babies may need special light treatment to bring the ‘Bilirubin’ levels down. 

Babies’ eyes may look swollen after birth. This occurs because of the pressure applied during birth and will vanish in a few days time.

Your baby will need a diaper change at each feeding time. Diaper rashes may appear due to a food allergy, teething, or sitting too long in a wet or messy diaper. If you notice one in your baby, ask your doctor advice on what medication to use, if any.

Suddenly your child may not be satisfied with the amount that you have been feeding her. This could be because of a growth spurts which can start as early as ten days. If so, you may need to add a feed or two to satisfy your babies’ appetite.

Your baby may require something to suck beyond eating. Give them a pacifier and do not encourage them to use your breast as a pacifier if you are breast feeding.

Your baby may tend to spit up sometimes more than others. There is no need to panic if your baby is growing up normally.

These are just a few things you must know about your baby to begin a smooth journey with him.