Newborn Milestones‍

Diet

• ‍‍it's recommended that babies be fed on demand, whenever they seem hungry.
• Your baby may cue you by crying, putting fingers in his or her mouth, or making sucking noises. A newborn baby needs to be fed every 2 to 3 hours.
• If you're breastfeeding, give your baby the chance to nurse about 10–15 minutes at each breast.
• If you're formula-feeding, your baby will most likely take about 2–3 ounces (60–90 milliliters) at each feeding.

Physical

• Supports head and upper body when lying on stomach, also when lying on the tummy "pushes up".
• Turn his head easily from side to side.
• Comforts self by bringing hands to face to suck on fingers or fist.
• Keeps hands mostly closed and fisted.
• Blinks at bright lights.‍

Language

• Communicates mainly by crying.
• Gives clues about being hungry by smacking lips and rooting.
• Yawns and arches back when overstimulated.‍

Cognitive

• Sees objects that are eight to 12 inches from his/her face.
• Is sensitive to sounds around him/her.
• Startles to loud noises by arching back.
• Kicking legs and flailing arms.

‍

Practical Parents Tips

Tip #1 Getting Help After Birth

During time in the hospital, you should talk to experts around. Many hospitals have feeding specialists or lactation consultants who can help you get started nursing or bottle feeding. Nurses also are a great resource to show you how to hold, burp, change, and care for your baby.

For in-home help, you might want to hire a baby nurse, postpartum doula, or a responsible neighbourhood teen to help you for a short time after the birth. Your doctor or the hospital can help you find information about in-home help. Relatives and friends often want to help too. If you don't feel up to having guests or you have other concerns, don't feel guilty about placing restrictions on visitors.

Tip #2 Handling a Newborn

Newborn babies are very fragile, here are a few basics to remember:

- Wash your hands before handling your baby. Newborns don't have a strong immune system yet, so they're at risk for infection.

- Support your baby's head and neck.

- Make sure your baby is securely fastened into the carrier, stroller, or car seat. 

Tip #3 Diapering

Your little one will dirty diapers about 10 times a day, or about 70 times a week.
Before diapering your baby, make sure you have all supplies you need:

- A clean diaper‍

- Diaper ointment

- Diaper wipes or a container of warm water and cotton balls

After each bowel movement or if the diaper is wet, lay your baby on his or her back and remove the dirty diaper. Use the water, cotton balls and wipes to gently wipe your baby's genital area clean. To prevent or heal a rash, apply nappy rash ointment . Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly after changing a diaper.
Diaper rash  is a common concern. Typically the rash is red and bumpy and will go away in a few days with warm baths, some diaper cream, and a little time out of the Most rashes happen because the baby's skin is sensitive and becomes irritated by the wet or poopy diaper.‍

Advices to PREVENT diaper rash:‍

- Change your baby's diaper often, and as soon as possible after bowel movements.

- Gently clean the area with mild soap and water, then apply a very thick layer of diaper rash or "barrier" cream.

- Let the baby go undiapered for part of the day.

- If the diaper rash continues for more than 3 days or seems to be getting worse, call your doctor.

Tip #4 Umbilical Cord Care

Umbilical cord care in newborns is very important, some doctors suggest swabbing the area with rubbing alcohol until the cord stump dries up and falls off, usually in 10 days to 3 weeks, but others recommend leaving the area alone. Talk to your child's doctor to see what he or she prefers.

An infant's navel area shouldn't be submerged in water until the cord stump falls off and the area is healed. Until it falls off, the cord stump will change color from yellow to brown or black — this is normal.

In this video, a midwife explaining how you can best care for your baby’s umbilical cord stump

‍

Tip #5 Bathing Basics

You should give your baby a sponge bath until the umbilical cord falls off and the navel heals completely (1–4 weeks). A bath two or three times a week in the first year is fine, more frequent bathing may dry the skin. You should have these items ready before bathing your baby:

- A soft, clean washcloth
- Mild, unscented baby soap and shampoo
- A soft brush to stimulate the baby's scalp
- Towels or blankets
- A clean diaper
- Clean clothes

For Sponge Baths, you have to select a safe and flat surface in a warm room. Fill a sink or bowl with warm (not hot!) water. Undress your baby and wrap him or her in a towel. Wipe your infant's eyes with a washcloth (or a clean cotton ball) dampened with water only, starting with one eye and wiping from the inner corner to the outer corner. Use a clean corner of the washcloth or another cotton ball to wash the other eye. Clean your baby's nose and ears with the damp washcloth. Then wet the cloth again and, using a little soap, wash his or her face gently and pat it dry. Next, using baby shampoo, create a lather and gently wash your baby's head and rinse. Using a wet cloth and soap, gently wash the rest of the baby, paying special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and in the genital area. Once you have washed those areas, make sure they are dry and then diaper and dress your baby.
When your baby is ready for Tub Baths, the first ones should be gentle and brief. If he or she becomes upset, go back to sponge baths for a week or two, then try the bath again.