Baby Basics
All Smiles ... In Time
Just because your newborn doesn't smile the first few weeks doesn't mean he's unhappy. "Babies start to smile with a purpose at around 6 weeks of life," said Brown. "This is when a baby realizes that smiling at mom, dad or another member of his fan club will get a response. It's a sign of normal social development." Keep smiling at your baby, and pretty soon he'll be all smiles too.
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Silky Smooth
The old saying "as soft as a baby's bottom" isn't always true. "Babies have soft, doughy skin because it hasn't endured the wear and tear that water, sun and life in general brings," said Brown. "But cooler and drier weather conditions outside of the womb will dry out a baby's skin just like anyone else's." Make sure to keep your baby's skin hydrated and moisturized.
A New Language
Although new parents would love newborns to just say what they want or feel, that won't happen for a while. "Babies cry for two to three hours a day. This is normal," said Brown. "Parents will learn that some cries mean 'poopy diaper,' 'I'm exhausted,' 'I'm starving,' et cetera. Just give it a couple of weeks." Until then, be patient with yourself as you get to know your little one.
Sleepy Time
Some parents boast that their baby is a good sleeper, but that may not necessarily be the case. Certain babies are better at settling themselves when they wake up (which they do) or have more easy-going dispositions. "By definition, sleeping through the night is six hours of uninterrupted sleep," said Brown. "That usually doesn't happen until at least 3 to 4 months of age … but it will feel great when it happens."
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Baby Sneezes
A sneezing baby? Don't run to the doctor just yet. It's normal for babies to sneeze a lot. "Newborns need to clear the secretions from their noses, and they don't know how to blow," said Brown. "They also have swollen nasal passages for the first couple of weeks of life. Sneezing, snorting, snoring are all normal and protective mechanisms."
Chilly Willy
A natural instinct is to warm up a baby's cold hands and feet. But before piling on the blankets or cranking up the heat, know this chilled state is very common for babies. "Newborns have poor circulation in the first few weeks of life, so the hands and feet may be cooler and blueish," said Brown. Once they become more mobile and start moving around, they will naturally warm up.
