Ann Peters Discover more at www.dk.com Ann Peters Feeding, sleeping, changing, bathing, crying, and comforting Babycare Everything you need to know ★ If your baby came with an instruction manual, this would be it. Babycare: Everything you need to know gets straight to the point, showing you what other books only tell you. ★ With clear photographs and step-by-step sequences throughout, the book is perfect for time-starved parents. ★ Babycare: Everything you need to know covers the core skills you will need from the moment your baby is born: how to hold, carry, feed, change, dress, bathe, comfort, and soothe your newborn up to the rst birthday. Babycare Everything you need to know Printed in Singapore $14.95 USA $16.95 Canada [...]... constipation), there is nothing to worry about When solid food is added to your baby’s diet, his stools become firmer and brownish When to be concerned If your baby’s bowel movements change, or you see blood or mucus in his stools, see your doctor to rule out problems 21 CARING FOR YOUR BABY Cleaning your baby’s bottom Keeping your baby’s bottom clean not only helps to prevent diaper rash, but also...Caring for your baby CARING FOR YOUR BABY GETTING STARTED Your new baby will have her own temperament, personality, and needs, and it can take a little while to get to know her Rest assured, though, that over time you will learn to understand her needs and handle her capably and confidently IS YOUR BABY COMFORTABLE? One of the most important things to consider when caring for your new baby is her comfort... now, but your baby will grow and develop quickly, and it’s important to savor every moment along the way No matter what you did before, or how you organized your life, remind yourself that your new job is caring for your baby, and that involves keeping her safe, comfortable, and happy, no matter how long it takes Try to take the pressure off yourself, and lower your expectations of what you need to achieve... basics of babycare, you ll become a more confident parent, and your baby will feel reassured as he will know what to expect Your baby’s safety One of your priorities is your baby’s safety, and your vigilance is essential to be sure of this Being prepared Once you have a baby, you ll soon realize that being organized will help your days to run smoothly 11 CARING FOR YOUR BABY Picking up your baby Your new... that you have some warm water ready when it’s time to change her diaper, can help you to keep on top of her daily care, and enable you to relax and enjoy being a new parent Close contact Interacting with your baby through touch, words, and looks, helps you get to know her and be alert to her needs 10 Your baby’s comfort A clean diaper, full tummy, and comfortable environment will all help keep your... underneath your baby’s bottom Both of your hands should now be underneath your baby, supporting both his head and his bottom as you lift him ★ As you gain more confidence, you can hold your baby face down in your arms so that his head rests on your forearm and your hands support his tummy and legs (see opposite) Gently lift your baby toward your chest Slide the hand behind his head around his body to cradle... should be seen by a doctor ★ If the rash becomes infected, seek medical help immediately to treat the infection and stop it from spreading Protecting your baby’s bottom Apply a thin layer of emollient cream to your baby’s bottom; use your finger to smooth it into the folds and crevices If his bottom is sore, leave his diaper off for a little while before applying the cream 23 CARING FOR YOUR BABY Sponge baths... head, and use the towel base to dry the rest of his body carefully 29 CARING FOR YOUR BABY Bathing your newborn baby It can be unnerving giving your baby her first bath, but with a little practice, you ll both enjoy the experience For newborns, fill the bath with 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of water to cover your baby comfortably What you ll need Have the following items ready before you start your baby’s bath:... easily for changing Some have detachable “bodies,” so that you can get your baby out while the straps remain in place 13 CARING FOR YOUR BABY Lifting your older baby As your baby grows, she may have her own ideas about how and when she should be picked up You ll need to find ways to pick her up and hold her that keep her safe and secure and don’t strain you 1 Bend your knees and keep your back straight to. .. in everything you do for your baby, even when you feel tired and frustrated; try to remember that your baby will sense this, and become that much more content as a result It is, however, equally important to remember that your baby’s safety must be a top priority The way you handle her, set up her environment, bathe and dress her, and even entertain her, must be undertaken with scrupulous attention to . tired and frustrated; try to remember that your baby will sense this, and become that much more content as a result. It is, however, equally important to remember that your baby’s safety must. Starting to breast-feed 62 Latching on 64 Getting comfortable 66 Feeding on demand 68 Breast-feeding problems 70 Successful breast-feeding 72 Expressing milk 74 Bottle-feeding basics 76. STARTED now your house is a mess, the fridge is empty, your to-do list is growing rather than acquiring neat little check marks, and you seem to do nothing more than change, feed, and soothe