Let's face it, nine months is a long time. Long enough for you both to have endured interminable 'advice' from friends and family, to having painted and repainted the nursery pink, then blue, then pink again.
But suddenly nine months is up and you've got a wonderful new addition to the family. Problem is, that's just the beginning...
From nappies, nurseries and names, here are a couple of pointers that could see everyone sleeping through the whole night.
1) ITS ALL IN A NAME: Choosing a name is no easy feat - and it's all in the research here. Stock up on books, pick your friends and family's brains and try the sound of a few of your own favorites. I can guarantee you'll change your mind more than once, after all, it's only after the're born that you'll really know.
2) WATCHING THE CLOCK: Establish a daily routine. From feeding times to sleeping patterns, keeping a day-to-day schedule will help both parent and child. Make a big chart complete with times ti make up baby formulas; sleep times and playtime and your day-to-day schedule will seem dar less chaotic and you'll feel super organised parent.
3) BABY BLUES: You won't be the first person to sometimes shake your head in despair or worry that you're not doing it right, and you won't be the last. However, it's perfectly normal to have bad days and question your parenting skills, but that doesn't make you a bad parent. Accept help when it's offered by friends and family - no one will think you're not doing your job well enough, and will appreciate the opportunity to be involved in looking after your newest family member!
4) ITCHY BUSINESS: Rashes on newborn babies are perfectly common and can be easy to treat with the right know-how. Here's a few to look out for:
Milia: These harmless, patchy yellow or creamy white spots are common on the nose and
forehead of a newborn baby. Keep the skin clean and avoid the temptation to squeeze them
as they can leave a scar. Milia will naturally clear up on its own.
Erythema Toxicum: This red rash either appears as little spots or blisters on the upper body and
is extremely common - it's believed that around half of the newborns are
prone to this rashes. Completely harmless, this rash will clear up on its own
within 3 or 4 days.
Nappy Rash: Appears as sore looking red spots or patches, and is again, completely harmless.
When changing your child's nappy, use cotton wool and warm water to clean and
dry and leave them nappy free to air their skin for a while. When you pop the nappy
back on, use a protective cream such as zinc or caster oil.
5) DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE: Remember what a good night's sleep felt like? From dawn choruses to middle-of-the-night wake up calls, sometimes you may feel like you never get a solid eight hours kip again. Synch your sleeping pattern with your child so you can catch up on some much needed rest too. You;ll feel refreshed when your child wakes up and you won't miss a single moment of time away from them.
6) HANDY HINTS
a) Dear Diary...: Why not try keeping a diary? It's a great way to clear your mind and air all your
thoughts, plus you'll have an extra way of remembering all those important and special
moments, from the first time they smile at you, to the first time they speak their first word.
b) Caught on camera: Capture those moments, silly moments between parent and child and start
up a photo album. Not only will you see just how quickly your child changes and develops, you'll
capture their first, special moments forever. Plus you can always bring the album out and
embarass them in later years!
c) Watch them grow: Watching your child grow in those first few months is a wonderful
experience, and you'll be amazed at how quickly the time passes. Mark your special moment in
time forever by planting a tree when your child is born, and watch as Mother Nature gradually
grows up alongside your child.
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