What do I need to know about newborn babies?

How old is your newborn?

Well, first just know that in the first month they will sleep a lot, lol, at least mine did. Enjoy it while it lasts!

A book that really helped me was "Your Baby's First Year" by Steven P. Shelov
It covers everything from the birth up to the first birthday.

Most of what you need to know will come natural, no worries! When baby is crying and you can't figure it out, go over these main points first:

*Is the baby hungry?
*Is the baby's diaper wet/dirty?
*Is the baby tired?
*Does the baby just want some cuddle time with mommy?

More often than not, the solution to make baby stop crying will be the answer to one of those questions.

Good Luck momma, and you can message me any time you need with questions and I will help the best I can!

There is way too much to know about a newborn. The space for 5 messages here wouldnt be enough.

In your situation you really need to get a midwife to help you out.

I'm sorry to not be able to help you very much. But a midwife is probably the best for you right now

Good luck.

Educate yourself and take parenting classes. You also could call the hospital you gave birth at or your baby's doctor.... they should have a list of classes available for you.

I agree with Carolyn, it will come naturally. Most first time parents are nervous and question themselves. The only thing I would add to Carolyn's advice is don't forget to burp the baby when she's done eating or she'll get gassy. I thought rubbing their little back's was more effective then patting but you'll figure out what works best for you. Within a few weeks you'll feel like you've been taking care of babies you whole life. Good luck and have fun!

Newborn - LoveToKnow Baby

You and Your Newborn Baby: a guide to the first months after birth

There is so much!!!!! And every baby is different..... if there are two books I could recommend, they would be Baby 411 http://www.windsorpeak.com/baby411/
and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby by Marc Weissbluth
http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Sleep-Habits-Happy-Child/dp/0449004023

I know there's already several postings with books, but these two were the most beneficial to me as a new mom ---- lots of questions and information in Baby 411, and when I had trouble with getting the baby to sleep well, my neighbor lent the second book to me, and that's been a life saver!!! I don't have the book myself yet, but it is def. getting on the Christmas wish list, and I have it on reserve que with the library waiting for it to come in so I can check it out to find out how I can get help with her sleeping habits now......

also, if you're into website..... there is zerotothree.org

The other two books that have been posted on here.....look like great books too!!!!

What I did, but I am a reader though, was checked out books at the library to read while dd slept as an infant....now I don't get the chance to read much (and gotten the cafemom addictions, heh) but used a lot of the time checking through books and there are a lot of good ones out there!

Believe it or not though --- a lot of what works best.....is as was stated and repeated....comes naturally. It is scary and overwhelming at first, but you'll find yourself amazed at how well and easily you learn and adapt to your child. There's nothing greater than the bond between a mother and her child! :-)

Something that someone told me, aside from all of the advice and the books and all of that, was this:

I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I swear it. I was 3 1/2 weeks postpartum, my breast milk was drying up (I could no longer keep up with her feedings) and I felt like I was failing as a mother. An old dear friend of mine took me aside and told me:

"You are learning. And so it she. Its your first time being a mother, and her first time being a daughter. Neither of you have done this before, you are figuring it out together. It is going to be frustrating, and it is going to be scary as hell. But just remember that no matter how bad you THINK you have screwed up, she doesn't know the difference. Give it time, and it will all work out in the end."

Hopefully that helps you as much as it did me.

Everything there is to know about a newborn baby in 1000 words or less? Are you nuts?