8 Things to Know About Newborns

Baby may be, well, a little funny-looking:-His head may be smooshed from his journey through the birth canal, and he might be sporting a "bodysuit" of fine hair called lanugo. He could also be puffy-faced and have eyes that are often shut (and a little gooey). After all, he just spent nine months in the womb. But pretty soon, he will resemble that beautiful baby you imagined.

Dont expect rewards -- smiles or coos -- until about the 6-week mark:-Up until then, you are working for a boss who only complains! To get through the exhaustion and emotional upheaval, keep this in mind: your efforts arent lost on baby in those early days. He feels comforted by his father or mother, he feels attachment, he likes to be held.

Give baby sponge baths until the umbilical cord falls off:-If its kept dry, it falls off faster -- usually within two weeks. Besides, newborns dont get very dirty! If the cord does get wet, pat it dry. And if the stump bleeds a little when the cord falls off, thats okay, too.

The soft spot can handle some handling:-Its okay to touch the soft spot and babys hair near it.The spot may pulsate because its directly over blood vessels covering the brain.

She will let you know if she is getting enough food:-Baby needs to eat every two to three hours -- but if you are nursing, its tough to know how much milk she is getting. A newborn loses 5 to 8 percent of her birthweight within the first week but should gain it back by the second. Diaper-counting can also act as a gauge: her schedule those first five days is haphazard, but after that, you will see five to six wet diapers a day, and at least one or two stools.

Dry skin is the norm for newborns:-If you soaked yourself in liquid for nine months and then hit the air, you would be dry too.Little pink bumps, diaper rashes, and even baby acne may also make an appearance.

Babies cry a lot -- thats how they communicate:-Their piercing wails will let you know they are hungry, cold, have a dirty diaper, or want to be held. These early "conversations" can be frustrating, but rest assured, you will get a better handle on what she needs in time.

Newborn babies also sleep a lot -- but not for long stretches:-Those first three months are a free-for-all. Baby needs to eat every two to three hours, so you are not getting much sleep either.In the meantime, try to get baby on a day and night schedule: during the day, dont let him snooze more than three hours without waking him to feed; at night let him sleep as long as he wants once he is regained the weight he lost at birth.