Some Tips for New Parents

So, you are a new parent! Congratulations!! If this is your first child, you most likely have a ton of questions. Fortunately, you have come to the right place with those questions. You probably already know that your newborn didn't come with a book of instructions. However, because you are a new parent who cares about your baby, we are here to help. Following are a few heads up that should ease your mind and help you with your new addition.

* Bathing your baby: Even though the umbilical cord was cut at birth, some of it still remains. This is perfectly normal and it will fall off one to two weeks after their birth. Until this occurs, it is advisable to only give your baby sponge baths. In order to help dry up the umbilical cord remains, you can use a cotton ball or cotton swab dampened with alcohol and apply it to the area. Once it falls off, you can now give your newborn a bath in a sink or shallow tub.

* Caesarian delivery: A caesarian delivery is performed for many different reasons including stalled labor, complicated labor, problems with the baby that may make delivery difficult, or other problems that may arise during labor. If this were to occur, whether you delivered vaginally or by a caesarian section, you are still the mother of a beautiful new blessing.

* Circumcision: Many doctors agree that there are many benefits to circumcision. Among those benefits are helping to lower the risk of urinary tract infections and eliminating virtually any chance of penile cancer. Another concern that can be laid to rest: circumcision does not cause long-term emotional problems for your child.

* Crib death (SIDS): The study of why some babies die soon afte birth, commonly known as SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is ongoing. Although there has been no direct link between premature death and SIDS, there have been some correlations made between SIDS and the following things:

o Male babies are more likely to die from SIDS than females
o Prematurity makes it more likely
o Minority children are affected by it more often than non-minorities
o More children of young, single mothers die from it
o Children who live in a home with one or more smokers are more likely to be affected

Even though it is thought by some that sleeping with your baby can minimize the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics disagrees with this belief and takes the position that there can actually be a greater risk of SIDS in babies who sleep with Mom.

Most pediatricians recommend back sleeping for babies to potentially decrease the risk of SIDS. Nevertheless, the reason for this position is still being debated among health experts. Should you have concerns or questions about this, it is recommended that you talk with your pediatrician.