May 2006
Preparing Daddy for the BIG day
05/09/06 Permalink
People don't realize that besides getting mom ready
for the BIG day, dads got to get ready too. This may
not be your first priority but think about it,
darling dad to be is a nervous wreck! He may not be
the one giving birth to that beautiful baby to be,
but he’ll be the one at your side watching you
endure the pain. We all know that hubby probably
won’t admit he’s scared, or worried
– but deep down he’s thinking about
everything you’re thinking. Take time to talk
about how you’re feeling and be sure to listen
to his feelings as well. Even if he’s not
admitting anything, he’ll probably feel a lot
better that you’re concerned and have the same
thoughts he does.
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Normal newborn activities not to freak out over
* Sneezing
* Hiccups
* Startle Response
* Urinary Status: Boys and Girls may sometimes have small amount of pinkish discharge which may be found in a wet diaper during the first few days
* Temporary crossed eyes: due to immature musculature of eyes
* Spitting up: Occasional spitting up is normal, burp baby before and after feedings
* Cold hands and feet: sometimes slightly blue due to immature circulatory system. Massage them to warm them
* Swollen breasts or swollen vaginal labia: temporary due to increase in maternal hormones
* Rash: due to sensitive skin, if rash persists contact doctor
* Crying: crying is normal
* Hiccups
* Startle Response
* Urinary Status: Boys and Girls may sometimes have small amount of pinkish discharge which may be found in a wet diaper during the first few days
* Temporary crossed eyes: due to immature musculature of eyes
* Spitting up: Occasional spitting up is normal, burp baby before and after feedings
* Cold hands and feet: sometimes slightly blue due to immature circulatory system. Massage them to warm them
* Swollen breasts or swollen vaginal labia: temporary due to increase in maternal hormones
* Rash: due to sensitive skin, if rash persists contact doctor
* Crying: crying is normal
Newborn Care Tips
* Always wash hands before handling baby
* Baths: Sponge baths only until cord falls off. Wash baby from head to toe, water should be warm to touch. For BOYS - No tub bath until circumcision heals (about 1 week)
* Shampoo hair at least twice weekly and brush hair twice a day with infant brush
* Clean eyes with cotton balls and water once a day, be sure to use different cotton balls for each eye
* Clean outer ears with wash cloth NEVER clean with Q-tips
* Keep nails trim, use nail files to keep trip if you are afraid to use nail clipper or baby moves a lot. It’s easiest to cut nails when baby is asleep
* Umbilical cord: cord will fall off 7-14 days. Clean with alcohol with each diaper change. Keep clothing above navel and diaper below until cord has fallen off
* Diaper changing’s: be sure you use wet cloths for the first few weeks, wipes can irritate skin the first few weeks.
* Baths: Sponge baths only until cord falls off. Wash baby from head to toe, water should be warm to touch. For BOYS - No tub bath until circumcision heals (about 1 week)
* Shampoo hair at least twice weekly and brush hair twice a day with infant brush
* Clean eyes with cotton balls and water once a day, be sure to use different cotton balls for each eye
* Clean outer ears with wash cloth NEVER clean with Q-tips
* Keep nails trim, use nail files to keep trip if you are afraid to use nail clipper or baby moves a lot. It’s easiest to cut nails when baby is asleep
* Umbilical cord: cord will fall off 7-14 days. Clean with alcohol with each diaper change. Keep clothing above navel and diaper below until cord has fallen off
* Diaper changing’s: be sure you use wet cloths for the first few weeks, wipes can irritate skin the first few weeks.
Baby Shower Ideas
Baby Showers for the parents-to-be
Who throws the shower? Anyone except the expectant couple, any relative, close friend, or close co-worker should feel perfectly okay about planning a baby shower. You’ll be surprised about who wants to join in the planning. This is a fun and exciting time for everyone.
When should the shower be held? Most baby showers are held before the baby is born. Any time after conception is fine. Some traditions believe it is bad luck to throw a shower before the baby is born, but that’s completely up to the expectant parents. In some ways a shower will make it finally seem real. But of course nothing is real until you hold the little one in your arms.
Check with the parents – to – be on a few dates they would be happy with, this way they can prepare in advance for a nice surprise and keep their calendars open. It’s also appropriate to check with siblings and grandparents-to-be to make sure they are available on the dates you’ve held open. Nothing is more frustrating then having to change dates around after you’ve settled out your venue.
Who should be invited? If you're hosting the shower, you may have some ideas about the guest list, but it's best to check with parents – to - be before finalizing your list. That way you avoid leaving out someone important or inviting someone the mom (or dad) would rather not include.
Jack and Jill parties are growing more and more popular. Why leave the dad – to – be out? He is a big part of this whole baby thing…
Subsequent baby deserves to be celebrated too; the guest list is usually made up of close friends and family. You may or may not have a registry list, but indeed this list won’t be as extensive as the first.
When do the invitations go out? Plan to send invitations out early enough to give the guests at least a few weeks' notice, not to early not too late. Normally 4 weeks before the event is more than enough time. It gives you just enough time to get the final list of acceptances and doesn’t give much time for those invited to forget.
Who throws the shower? Anyone except the expectant couple, any relative, close friend, or close co-worker should feel perfectly okay about planning a baby shower. You’ll be surprised about who wants to join in the planning. This is a fun and exciting time for everyone.
When should the shower be held? Most baby showers are held before the baby is born. Any time after conception is fine. Some traditions believe it is bad luck to throw a shower before the baby is born, but that’s completely up to the expectant parents. In some ways a shower will make it finally seem real. But of course nothing is real until you hold the little one in your arms.
Check with the parents – to – be on a few dates they would be happy with, this way they can prepare in advance for a nice surprise and keep their calendars open. It’s also appropriate to check with siblings and grandparents-to-be to make sure they are available on the dates you’ve held open. Nothing is more frustrating then having to change dates around after you’ve settled out your venue.
Who should be invited? If you're hosting the shower, you may have some ideas about the guest list, but it's best to check with parents – to - be before finalizing your list. That way you avoid leaving out someone important or inviting someone the mom (or dad) would rather not include.
Jack and Jill parties are growing more and more popular. Why leave the dad – to – be out? He is a big part of this whole baby thing…
Subsequent baby deserves to be celebrated too; the guest list is usually made up of close friends and family. You may or may not have a registry list, but indeed this list won’t be as extensive as the first.
When do the invitations go out? Plan to send invitations out early enough to give the guests at least a few weeks' notice, not to early not too late. Normally 4 weeks before the event is more than enough time. It gives you just enough time to get the final list of acceptances and doesn’t give much time for those invited to forget.