Ten things to know about newborns

Here are a few basics you need to know about your new arrival.

By Tricia O'Brien from American Baby


1.Baby may be, well, a little funny-looking.
His head may be smooshed from his journey through the birth canal, and he might be sporting a "bodysuit" of fine hair called lanugo. He could also be puffy-faced and have eyes that are often shut (and a little gooey). 
After all, he just spent nine months in the womb. But pretty soon, he'll resemble that beautiful baby you  imagined.


2.Don't expect rewards -- smiles or coos -- until about the 6-week mark.
Up until then, you're working for a boss who only complains! To get through the exhaustion and emotional 
upheaval, keep this in mind: your efforts aren't lost on baby in those early days. "He feels comforted by his 
father or mother, he feels attachment, he likes to be held," says Los Angeles-based pediatrician Christopher 
Tolcher, MD.


3.Give baby sponge baths until the umbilical cord falls off.
If it's kept dry, it falls off faster -- usually within two weeks. Besides, newborns don't get very dirty! If the 
cord does get wet, pat it dry. And if the stump bleeds a little when the cord falls off, that's okay, too, as 
Alyson Bracken, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, learned. "It scared me at first," she says, but then she 
found out that, as with a scab, mild bleeding was normal.


4.The soft spot can handle some handling.
"I was terrified of the soft spot," admits April Hardwick, of New York City, referring to the opening in the 
skull, also called the fontanel, which allows baby to maneuver out of the birth canal. "Gemma had a full head of hair at birth, and I was initially afraid to comb over the soft spot," Hardwick says. But there was no need to worry: "It's okay to touch the soft spot and baby's hair near it," says Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, pediatrician and author of Mommy Calls. The spot may pulsate because it's directly over blood vessels covering the brain.


5.She'll let you know if she's getting enough food.
Baby needs to eat every two to three hours -- but if you're nursing, it's tough to know how much milk she's 
getting. "The baby's weight is the best indicator in the early days," says Dr. Tolcher. Your pediatrician will 
check it within a few days of discharge. A newborn loses 5 to 8 percent of her birthweight within the first 
week but should gain it back by the second. Diaper-counting can also act as a gauge: her schedule those first five days is haphazard, but after that, you'll see five to six wet diapers a day, and at least one or two stools.
There's no doubt that babies poop -- a lot! If you're still getting the hang of diapering, learn how to change 
one at 6 weeks.


6.Dry skin is the norm for newborns.
Initially, he may be soft and silky, but that changes. "If you soaked yourself in liquid for nine months and then
hit the air, you'd be dry too!" says Laura Jana, MD, pediatrician and coauthor of Heading Home With Your 
Newborn. You don't have to do anything about dry skin (it typically peels and flakes off), but if you're so 
inclined, reach for a hypoallergenic baby lotion that is fragrance-free. Little pink bumps, diaper rashes, and 
even baby acne may also make an appearance. "Acne tends to last for a few months," Dr. Jana says. "So get those cute newborn pics before one month!"


7.You don't have to hole up at home.
"Lead a normal life, but use common sense when you go out in public," Dr. Tolcher says. Keep baby out of the sun, and avoid sick people (no toddler birthday parties!) and crowded enclosed spaces (such as the mall during the holidays). "Teach older siblings to touch baby's feet instead of her hands and face, which will help prevent the spread of infection," he adds. And make your older child the hygiene police, says Dr. Jana. He'll love telling guests, "Don't touch the baby without washing your hands."


8.Babies cry a lot -- that's how they communicate!
Their piercing wails will let you know they're hungry, cold, have a dirty diaper, or want to be held. These early "conversations" can be frustrating, but rest assured, you'll get a better handle on what she needs in time. Laurie May, of Boardman, Ohio, and her husband quickly learned to read their daughter's hunger signal. When they were brand-new parents, they set an alarm to go off every two hours to wake Carter for a feeding. "We did not need the alarm!" she says. "We love to laugh at that one now."


9.Newborn babies also sleep a lot -- but not for long stretches.
Those first three months are a free-for-all. Baby needs to eat every two to three hours, so you're not getting 
much sleep either. "It does get better," assures Dr. Altmann. "Most infants can sleep for six to eight hours by
3 months of age." In the meantime, try to get baby on a day and night schedule: during the day, don't let him 
snooze more than three hours without waking him to feed; at night let him sleep as long as he wants once he's regained the weight he lost at birth. Some babies sleep more soundly when they're swaddled, so watch our video for the best technique to secure baby like a burrito!


10.The newborn stage is fleeting.
Stressed, tired, and lonely? Yes, those early days are hard. But they'll soon be behind you. Barbara Evans, of New York City, says, "I wish I'd known how quickly the time goes." The mom to Luella, 8 months, says, "I didn't take enough pictures or keep notes!" Rabeea Baloch, of Sugarland, Texas, shares some veteran-mom experience: "With my first, I stressed over every single thing, from changing diapers to whether baby was crying more than usual. With my second, I just enjoyed holding her, smelling her, kissing her, and loving the time together."

How to Get Kids to Unplug in the Great Outdoors

Get your kids and teens engaged with nature and not their screens by offering them enticing age-appropriate outdoor activities.

By Ellen Sturm Niz

When the school year comes to a close and summer starts, parents everywhere wonder, "How do I get my kids to go outside and play more?" Whether your child has a Minecraft obsession or is a teen texter extraordinaire, getting our offspring to put down the iPads, cell phones, and other gadgets to engage with nature and the other humans in their families can be a frustrating experience, to say the least.

"It's so important for parents to get that quality time with their children and each other," says Jennifer Ludovice, spokesperson for Thousand Trails and Encore properties' campgrounds and RV parks with resort-style amenities. "We see the benefits of families unplugging together at our campgrounds and resorts every day. Putting away the cell phone gives families a chance to re-engage."

There may be some initial whining and complaining about "roughing it" without screens, but children can be convinced to unplug when presented with the right alternate activities.

"The key is choosing the right destination," Ludovice says. "You won't have much luck convincing children to put away the gadgets if there aren't other activities waiting for them when they get there."

Plus, you don't have to banish cell phones altogether, which is not likely to go over well—especially with today's teens. Instead, let them share their outdoor adventures on social media or have a limited amount of screen time after the days' activities are over.

"Consider setting 'technology time' at a regularly scheduled time when the whole family can take a few minutes to check in," Ludovice recommends. "This encourages them to spend more time talking and less time typing."

Choose a park, nature destination or campground that offers a wide variety of fun for all ages and interests so kids can get engaged in activities they enjoy, Ludovice suggests.

"Many campgrounds have kid-friendly activities planned for nearly every hour of the day, from nature walks to cook outs, Olympic-sized pools to horseback riding," she says. "We often find that parents have just as much fun as the kids do when they participate in activities, and it's a great way to reinforce that common ground with your children—and remind them of how fun you are!"

Because kids ages 8 to 10 have an insatiable curiousity, Ludovice recommends using this to your advantage when offering outdoor activities to them.

"Many camps offer staff-lead nature walks, and these are perfect for young children to get their hands dirty," she says. "Let them explore, taste and touch under the supervision of an expert familiar with the natural habitat. It's also a great way for them to find a souvenir to bring home."

Give tweens a bit more of the freedom they so desperately desire and offer them activities that let them show how responsible and useful they now are.

"Children ages 11 to 13 can do more meaningful tasks at the campsite," Ludovice says. "Look for activities that let them participate in things like cowboy-for-a-day or ranch hand programs. These allow kids to have a unique experience and gain self-confidence doing something new."

Older teens will naturally want to assert their independence, so give them some space on a guided horseback ride or tubing lesson, Ludovice recommends.

"Having time to themselves doing something active will give them a unique and memorable experience that they can brag about to their friends later," she says. "Maybe they'll even tell you about it at the campfire that night!"

Putting the effort into getting your kids and teens outdoors and engaged in nature instead of with their gadgets is worth it—not just for their developing brains and bodies but for your family's dynamic as well.

"It's amazing to see the transition in how family members relate to one another from when they arrive at the campground to when they leave," Ludovice says. "There is something about getting back to basics that really changes the way our visitors connect with each other."