| This may be your first full week at home with your | | | | be too proud to ask, and if Daddy is home with you, let |
| new little one. You've found that your son or daughter | | | | him take his turn as well. There is no time like the |
| doesn't seem to have much individual personality right | | | | present for him to learn. |
| now and spends most of his or her time in various | | | | The umbilical stump is probably still attached. You were |
| stages of sleep, quiet and alertness. Again, every baby | | | | instructed not to give tub baths, but to give sponge |
| is different, so each little one will have their own | | | | baths, so continue to do this until the stump falls off. |
| schedule. Breast fed babies will nurse more often and | | | | What is left is your baby's adorable belly button. It may |
| some babies have even been known to start sleeping | | | | be an 'innie' or an 'outie', and both are perfectly normal. |
| through the night; you are lucky if that is the case. | | | | And now you can graduate to tub baths! What fun! |
| Normally you shouldn't have to wake your baby to eat, | | | | Towards the end of the day, you may notice your little |
| but if your little girl or boy has slept longer than 6 hours | | | | one becoming fussy or irritable. Think of the overload |
| without wanting to eat, you should wake him or her up. | | | | that is happening in your little one's brain each day. Is it |
| If your little one is lethargic and refuses to eat or | | | | no wonder that your son or daughter is feeling |
| doesn't seem to nurse well, then a call to your | | | | overwhelmed? Now is the time for a massage with |
| pediatrician might be in order. Take his or her | | | | lavender baby lotion, a rock and quiet, soothing talk or |
| temperature first; that is probably the first question the | | | | maybe a snuggle. You will find what works best for |
| doctor's office will ask you. If your baby won't rouse at | | | | your baby. Some people even take their little ones for |
| all-call 911 immediately. It is important to stay as calm as | | | | a drive. The motion of the car seems to be very |
| possible. If you are in a panic, you may not be giving | | | | soothing, but use this as a last resort. Babies will get |
| your baby the care her or she needs and there may | | | | into habits of wanting what makes them feel best and |
| not be anything wrong at all. The best rule of thumb is | | | | taking a drive is one of those habits that can be hard |
| not to start worrying until there is something to worry | | | | to break. |
| about-easier said than done, right? | | | | As for you-it is totally possible and perfectly normal to |
| If your little one cries three or more days a week for | | | | be feeling some kind of emotional vulnerability. |
| periods of three hours, or more, in a row, the chances | | | | Somewhere between 60 and 80% of new mothers |
| are that he or she is colicky. This term is commonly | | | | will experience the 'baby blues' that are a mild form of |
| used to describe uncontrollable crying in an otherwise | | | | depression and can cause weepiness, sleeplessness, |
| healthy baby. Some babies may act like they are in | | | | moodiness (oh no! not again!) and irritability. Many |
| pain-pulling their legs up to their tummy and maybe | | | | women with a huge support system are able to get |
| even passing gas. You can try laying your baby | | | | past the baby blues, but up to 20% of new Moms |
| across your lap and rubbing his or her back gently. A | | | | may go on to have postpartum depression (PPD). If |
| hot water bottle (make sure to use a towel in | | | | you experience symptoms such as a loss of interest in |
| between the bottle and your little one's skin) lying on | | | | all activities, even sometimes extending to your baby, |
| the tummy can sometimes help as well. And there are | | | | excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, a marked |
| over-the-counter gas remedies for infants that can | | | | change in appetite or panic attacks that may include a |
| also help. Thank goodness colic doesn't last forever. | | | | racing heart, feelings of looming doom, anxiety, a racing |
| 60% of babies will be through the worst part of it by | | | | heart, confusion or dizziness, call your care provider |
| the time they are 3 months old and 90% are over it by | | | | immediately. This is a real affliction-not just all 'in your |
| 4 months of age. Just remember that you are not | | | | head'. Your doctor will know what to do for you and |
| alone here. If you have a colicky baby, call in the | | | | your little one, partner and the rest of your family will |
| troops if necessary. Family or friends can come to | | | | appreciate your return to yourself. Chin up! The |
| your rescue, maybe allowing you to take a hot bath or | | | | rewards of motherhood are waiting for your |
| go shopping while they watch your son or daughter | | | | discovery. |
| for you, allowing you to recharge your batteries. Don't | | | | |