Caring for your baby
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When your baby is born. The first days and weeks of your baby's life can be an exciting time -- but
also a tiring one. If you can work as a team, you and your baby will benefit. These ideas may help:
Cuddling with your baby. Babies have an actual physical need to be held, stroked, smiled at, and
cuddled. As a mom or dad, you can help your baby to thrive just by showing your love. If you are a
person who naturally likes to cuddle, that will be great for your baby. But if you are not a naturally
cuddly person, or if it takes awhile to feel close to your baby, that's okay, too. Babies can feel love in
all kinds of ways. You can play with your baby, smile, and kid around. You can let the baby sleep in
your lap while you read or watch TV. Over time, you can come up with your own ways of showing
your baby love -- ways that can grow as your baby does.
Talking with your baby. Did you know that babies are born knowing their mother's voice? They can
actually hear the mother's voice from inside the mother's body, so they find it familiar and
soothing. Babies also quickly learn to love hearing their father's voice, if they hear if often from
birth. Talking gently to a baby, about anything and everything, is one of the best ways you can
show your love. Your talking makes your baby feel good, and also helps him or her to learn. It may
feel a little silly at first, when you know the baby doesn't know yet what the words mean. Still,
you'll be amazed at how soon your baby will learn. By starting now, you're starting your baby on a
path of learning for life!
Feeding your baby. For the first few months, milk is the only food your baby needs. And, despite
the shelves of formula in every grocery store, the simplest and best milk for a baby is the mom's.
Breast milk from the mother is the ideal food, since:
In fact, studies show that babies who are breastfed tend to be healthier, have fewer allergies and
ear infections, are less likely to become overweight, and even become better able to learn. You can
learn more, including help and support getting started, from the government nutrition program
for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or from the organization La Leche League.
Your love counts! As you care for your baby, you are giving the love that your baby needs. Keep in
mind, babies don't need expensive toys, fancy clothes, or all the endless products sold as
"educational". In fact, too much focus on things can get in the way. By sticking with the basics, you
can truly raise a happier, healthier baby -- and enjoy some good times doing it.
To learn more. There are lots of good books and videos on baby care, which you can borrow for free
from your local library. Good websites to explore include Kid's Health and the American Academy
of Pediatrics.
also a tiring one. If you can work as a team, you and your baby will benefit. These ideas may help:
- For the mom: Childbirth, and the stress of a new baby, can put a strain on your health. By
taking good care of yourself, you can help keep those strains from becoming more serious
health problems. It's great, of course, to spend time snuggling with, napping with, and
feeding your baby. Other than that, though, you might want to let other people -- the dad,
and any family or friends who can help -- do as much of the baby and home care as possible.
Then, do your best to eat well, get enough sleep, and take a daily walk. You should also see
your doctor or midwife at least once in the week after you give birth, and talk about any
health concerns you may have.
- For the dad. If you're the new dad, here's your big chance to be a hero. The more you can do
in the days and weeks after the baby is born, the better the start your baby will have. Keep in
mind, the mom is as new to parenting as you are, and she's recovering from the strain of
childbirth. You can't breastfeed, but you can do so much else: hold and soothe the baby,
change diapers, make meals, do the dishes. It may be tough, but it will make a huge
difference for your new family. To learn more about the important role that dads play, and to
help you connect with other caring dads, you can check out the National Fatherhood
Initiative.
Cuddling with your baby. Babies have an actual physical need to be held, stroked, smiled at, and
cuddled. As a mom or dad, you can help your baby to thrive just by showing your love. If you are a
person who naturally likes to cuddle, that will be great for your baby. But if you are not a naturally
cuddly person, or if it takes awhile to feel close to your baby, that's okay, too. Babies can feel love in
all kinds of ways. You can play with your baby, smile, and kid around. You can let the baby sleep in
your lap while you read or watch TV. Over time, you can come up with your own ways of showing
your baby love -- ways that can grow as your baby does.
Talking with your baby. Did you know that babies are born knowing their mother's voice? They can
actually hear the mother's voice from inside the mother's body, so they find it familiar and
soothing. Babies also quickly learn to love hearing their father's voice, if they hear if often from
birth. Talking gently to a baby, about anything and everything, is one of the best ways you can
show your love. Your talking makes your baby feel good, and also helps him or her to learn. It may
feel a little silly at first, when you know the baby doesn't know yet what the words mean. Still,
you'll be amazed at how soon your baby will learn. By starting now, you're starting your baby on a
path of learning for life!
Feeding your baby. For the first few months, milk is the only food your baby needs. And, despite
the shelves of formula in every grocery store, the simplest and best milk for a baby is the mom's.
Breast milk from the mother is the ideal food, since:
- It has all the nutrients the baby needs;
- It helps the baby stay healthy;
- It's a great way for the mom and baby to cuddle; and
- It's cheap, clean, and doesn't require bottles, mixing, or even getting out of bed.
In fact, studies show that babies who are breastfed tend to be healthier, have fewer allergies and
ear infections, are less likely to become overweight, and even become better able to learn. You can
learn more, including help and support getting started, from the government nutrition program
for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or from the organization La Leche League.
Your love counts! As you care for your baby, you are giving the love that your baby needs. Keep in
mind, babies don't need expensive toys, fancy clothes, or all the endless products sold as
"educational". In fact, too much focus on things can get in the way. By sticking with the basics, you
can truly raise a happier, healthier baby -- and enjoy some good times doing it.
To learn more. There are lots of good books and videos on baby care, which you can borrow for free
from your local library. Good websites to explore include Kid's Health and the American Academy
of Pediatrics.
Strengthening Young Families
