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| CARING FOR YOUR NEW BABY Here are some suggestions that will help you get acquainted with the new member of your family. Be sure to look your baby over rather carefully as soon as you have a chance. Don’t hesitate to check him over from “head to toe.” If you find something that you think may be unusual, please ask us about it. There is not another baby in the whole world exactly like yours. He will not eat, sleep, or in general, behave like any other baby, including your neighbor’s baby, your sister’s baby, or even your last baby (if such is the case). The majority of babies are sleepy on the first day and more awake on the second day. Usually they awaken and are actively hungry on the third or fourth day. This is the normal pattern of activity. Spitting up or gagging is very common during the first two or three days. You may be frightened if this occurs while the baby is with you. They are getting rid of some excess mucus. At first, new parents are often a little unsure of themselves. As long as your baby is well fed, loved, warm and comfortable, he does not mind it a bit if you are less than an expert. These few simple infant care instructions should help you to relax and enjoy your baby. The most valuable thing parents can do for their children is to enjoy them. Trust yourself, follow your own instincts and don’t take too seriously the advice of well meaning friends and relatives. All babies sneeze, yawn, belch, spit, hiccup, pass gas and cry. They may occasionally look cross-eyed. Sneezing is the only way in which a baby can clear his nose of mucus, lint or milk curds. Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm muscle and often can be stopped by giving a few swallows of warm water or allowing the baby to suck on a pacifier. Crying is their way of saying, “I’m hungry, I’m wet, I’m thirsty, I want to turn over, I’ m too hot, I’m too cold, I have a stomachache, or I’m bored.” You will gradually learn to know what your baby means when he fusses or cries. Most infants have a fussy period that frequently occurs in the late afternoon or evening, but hopefully not at night. This is not colic, but a normal phenomenon for which there is no explanation.
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