Most Commonly Asked Newborn Questions…. Answered!
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The moment your bundle of joy arrives into the world, you’ll be filled with happiness and excitement! But once the initial euphoria settles down, it’ll soon give way to nervousness and anxiety. This is because you’ll find yourself at your wit’s end when handling your newborn! And, with all the well-meaning advice coming from family and friends, it’ll only become all the more confusing for you. But don’t you worry! We, at MomJunction, have compiled a list of the most common questions about newborns and have answered them to help you out. Here goes:
1. What Is The Normal Diaper Change Requirement?
Newborn babies usually feed only on milk – either breast milk or formula. Therefore, they’ll pee a lot. On average, a newborn will require about 8 to 10 diaper changes per day (1). It is important to change the diapers immediately to avoid diaper rashes. So, keep them around where you can reach them quickly – like near the crib or cradle.
2. Is The Black Poop Normal?
It is completely normal for newborns to pass a dark green or black-colored poop for the initial three days. This type of poop is called meconium. Meconium is a sum of all that your baby might have ingested inside the womb including the bile, amniotic fluid, lanugo, mucus, etc. After three days, the poop will change to either yellow or tan brown depending on what your baby feeds on – breast milk or formula (2).
3. Why Is My Baby’s Skin Peeling?
The dry peeling skin of your baby is completely normal during the first few days. In the womb, a thick, cheesy wax-like substance called vernix caseosa covered your baby’s skin to protect it from the amniotic fluid. Following delivery, the vernix caseosa is washed off. This can leave your baby’s skin dry, making it peel for a few days. However, it’ll eventually go away on its own (3).
4. Can I Clip My Baby’s Nails?
Yes. Newborns are generally born with weak nails. However, they grow quickly. Being brittle and sharp, their nails can become a potential scarring hazard to others as well as their own selves. Use a small-sized baby nail clipper or an emery board to file your baby’s nails after a bath. But do not use adult nail cutters as you can clip the delicate skin (4).
5. How Do I Bond With The Baby?
Immediately after birth, there’ll be too many things on your plate. Your motherly duties will include diaper changes, breastfeeding, cleaning and bathing your baby to name a few, leaving you with hardly any time to bond with your baby. However, make the most of your breastfeeding, burping, and putting-the-baby-to-sleep routines to bond with your baby. As your baby grows, you’ll eventually find more time to play with your little one.
6. Will I Have Sleepless Nights After My Baby Is Born?
In the very beginning – Yes! You need to remember that your baby’s circadian rhythm isn’t developed yet. It is the body’s internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake pattern in human beings (6). So, your baby will not know the difference between days and nights. Of course, with a little training from you, your baby will learn to sleep at night. Until then, go with the “sleep-when-the-baby-sleeps” mantra.
7. Is It True That Babies Cry A Lot?
Yes, they do! This is because it is the only way newborns can communicate with their mothers. Initially, babies will cry only due to hunger or a soiled diaper. Soon, they’ll cry differently for different reasons. It can range from hunger, tiredness, pain, colic, loneliness, or any sort of discomfort. Sometimes they might just cry to get their mother’s attention or a simple hug. With time, you too will become an expert in understanding the way your baby’s cries and his/her needs (7).
We hope that this compilation has helped answer some of the nagging questions on your mind. Remember – when you can give birth, you are very much capable of handling your little angel too. So, just relax and be yourself, the rest will fall in place. Good luck!
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