How to Understand a Newborn's Needs

For months she's been tossing about in utero, while her mom's body did all the work. But now she needs to be fed, held, cleaned and cared for. Paying close attention is key to understanding her needs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby Bibs
• Baby Clothes
• Baby Slings
• Burp Cloths
• Baby Bottles
• Baby Monitors
• Baby Formulas
• Baby Rattles

1. Learn from those with experience. Watch how the nurses swaddle, notice how your mother burps her, see how your aunt rocks and cuddles her.
2. Know that a newborn doesn't cry to manipulate you to get her way. She cries because she's uncomfortable and needs your help.
3. Remember that you'll never know for sure what's going on - you'll just have to guess. Accept that her primary signal is crying.
4. Trust your instinct, because that's your primary resource. Does she seem hungry? Try feeding. Tired? Try a stroll to lull her to sleep.
5. Avoid freaking out. A calm parent is key to a calm baby.
6. Be endlessly resourceful. A stomach hold doesn't soothe her? Try holding her sideways. Is she fussy indoors? Try a blast of fresh air to calm her down.
7. Be willing to try anything. Your baby might enjoy watching the water come out of the faucet, or the sound and warmth of a hair dryer (placed at a safe distance away from her).
8. Follow that age-old advice to sleep when the baby sleeps.
9. Keep your mind on what's important: It's not whether her hair is brushed perfectly or whether her outfit matches. Rather, it's that she's healthy and happy and that you're as rested and relaxed as you can be.
10. Be willing to ask for help if you need it.
11. Find other parents for support. Is there a mothers group you can join? Did your sister have a baby a year ago?

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that the newborn period doesn't last that long - from six weeks to three months, depending on who's counting. So though it may seem like forever, your baby will soon have a stable head and have more ways to communicate than crying. She'll be smiling, laughing, cooing and grabbing before you know it.
• Find ways to take breaks from the baby so that you can be closer to clear-headed when you're with her.
• If you're concerned that something's not right with your baby, avoid postponing a call to your health care provider. Health concerns noted earlier are usually easier to cope with - and a call that gives you peace of mind is worth making as soon as possible.