Babies are born with a set of instinctive movements that are often self-protective. For example, touching a baby's eyelid will make it automatically close its eyes.
These reflex movements last until the baby begins to learn voluntary control of its muscles, usually at about three to four months, although some reflexes last longer.
If you are an OCD dad like me, we care about the cleanliness and safety of the products we use on our babies. Let's talk about the baby nasal aspirator for instance. You know the one I'm talking about, the blue booger sucker you get from the hospital the day you take your newborn home.
Baby-care basics:Getting Help After the BirthHandling a
NewbornBonding and Soothing TechniquesDiapering Dos and
Don’tsBathing BasicsCircumcision and Umbilical Cord CareFeeding and
Burping Your BabySleeping Basics
Baby-care basics: Getting Help After the Birth Handling a Newborn Bonding and Soothing Techniques Diapering Dos and Don'ts Bathing Basics Circumcision and Umbilical Cord Care Feeding and Burping Your Baby Sleeping Basicsv
Getting a good night's sleep with a newborn baby in the house, as many parents know, is not going to happen anytime soon. Despite the odd waking hours of babies, the first 6 months of life are critical to helping a baby set their circadian rhythms (regular sleeping and rising patterns) that will stay with them for years to come. Some babies, however, may have some hurdles to overcome as a new study explains babies' with depressed mothers experience disruptive sleep.
On the day you deliver your baby, you'll probably be overcome with visions of your future with your child - first smiles and steps, birthday parties and sports events, and holidays and life milestones. Your little one ever becoming seriously ill will probably be the last thing on your mind.