Love Baby So Much

Product Description
Guess? makes this denim skirt curiously cute with a pink sash and a ruffled hem.

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From the Manufacturer
This is perfect for travelling. This newborn Napper station includes a soft napper that soothes baby. It is a mesh sided pack 'n play playard which sets up in less than a minute. This assures you that the pack 'n play playard will quickly become one of your favorite Graco baby's products. It comes with a full size bassinet with comfy quilted bumper pad and mattress pad, a great place for infants up to 15 pounds to nap peacefully and drift off to dreamland with the nature sounds or music. This features an enhanced electronics unit and detachable toys which are included with the mobile. It supports babies weighing less than 25 pounds. This comes with a parent organizer that holds many of your diaper changing essentials. It includes convenient travel bag for you to just fold the pack 'n play playard and store it in the bag, and you and your little one are off to see the world. A night light is included.

Product Description
Graco Pack 'n Play Portable Playard The Pack 'n Play Portable playard from Graco featurs a removable full size bassinet with quilted bumper pad. The pad provides a cozy nap time space. A quilted mattress pad is also included for baby's comfort. It is loaded with both safety, comfort and convenient features. The changing table is a great feature for mom and dad. It allows for quick diaper changes. An enhanced electronic unit will certainly provide entertainment before or after a nap. The unit plays 5 classical songs and 5 soothing nature sounds and includes a night light to illuminate the controls for night time usage.

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From the Manufacturer
A restage of the Rock, Roll & Ride Trike. A sturdy Trike with three fun ways to ride! Lock the base in place for ride-on, rocking fun. As your child grows, the base converts to an extra long push handle so you can comfortably stroll behind while they learn to pedal. When they’re ready to ride on their own, the handle removes, seat adjusts and foot pegs fold up for easy independent pedaling. And they’re off! The restage makes the handle bar 4" longer, updates the colors, and updates the wheels with a new "open spoke" look.

Product Description
This sturdy trike offers three fun ways to ride. The base locks in place for ride-on, rocking fun. As your child grows, the base converts to an extra long parent handle so you can comfortably stroll behind your child, offering a helpful push while they learn to pedal. When they're ready to ride on their own, remove the handle, adjust the seat and fold the foot pegs for easy, independent pedaling.

Features:

* Rock - Sturdy rocker base is great fun for little ones.
* Roll - Flip base around and it becomes a handle, ready for you to guide your child along.
* Ride - Remove the handle, flip up the footrest and let them take off on their own.

Measures approximately 40.5" x 19" x 32.5".

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Amazon.com Product Description
The Marathon from Britax is a durable, convertible car seat that helps keep your child safe and secure in the car. Ideal for parents seeking premium comfort and a higher, forward-facing harnessed weight capacity, the Marathon fits children rear facing from five to 35 pounds and children forward facing from at least one year old and 20 pounds, up to 65 pounds. Both positions can accommodate a standing height up to 49 inches.

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Product Description
Old-fashioned charm meets mod prints in this irresistible poplin dress from Laura Ashley.

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by Gina Hamilton
Coastal Journal editor

Well, our son and heir is home for spring break, with all his electronic gizmos. There was a pretty good chance that we were going to have a new little ... very little ... sister or brother for him when he got here, but so far, it hasn’t happened. I am now told it might be a few weeks. In anticipation of that blessed event, however, I posted a few baby needs on freecycle and three wonderful folks emailed me back. One offer of assistance came from the diaper service people over in Rockland. I had called them to ask about prices and so on, and when she saw my appeal in freecycle, she wrote back to me. Another lady emailed me and told me she had a few things, and a few things more from her sister who had had twins. Could I pick them up on Sunday?

So I headed up to Washington on Sunday after Meet the Press and picked up many, many wonderful items, including a baby swing and a bassinet, and a lot of newborn clothing. Carrie also gave me a ‘new mother’ gift, a candle and a bar of scented soap, which was really sweet. But I am not a new mother yet. I am still an old mother.

When I got all the stuff home, it was snowing, and Tristan helped me wrangle it all inside. We put it all in the library for now. But still no infant.

I had a hard time settling down to housework after seeing how much space a tiny infant’s belongings take up in what is undeniably the largest room in the house. I sat down with a pad of paper to write the Housekeeping List - it doesn’t vary dramatically from week to week, but I write one anyway to psych myself up for it. We hadn’t done much for a couple of weeks, and the house looked it. Dust lay on every surface. Bits of dog biscuits cuddled up next to the rug. I looked down at the coffee table in the living room and saw my son’s tiny blue laptop, plugged into a distant outlet (creating a tripwire for the unwary), next to his used copy of On Being and Nothingness and his pouch of shag tobacco, and realized the magnitude of what we were taking on. One young person about to be launched with habits both good and bad, and perhaps another young person at the very beginning of life with no habits at all, and it would be another 20 years before there is a tiny pink laptop and a used copy of something or other on the coffee table. It could be another blue laptop. I don’t know yet.

So I moved the laptop over to the window seat where it wouldn’t trip anyone and put the tobacco up high somewhere. Sartre got to stay where he was. For now. One has to get into good habits.

I did some sweeping and surface dusting and laundry (including 20 adorable little newborn sleepers) and realized that I was looking at the task differently. Sharp bits of dog bones got thrown away over Rudie the Dog’s objections. Bits of fluff that might go into a baby’s mouth and choke her were jettisoned. I was cleaning from the floor upward.

That seemed familiar, but distant. The last time I recall doing that sort of cleaning was when Tristan was little, and our baby care class instructor encouraged us to get down on the ground and ‘see what the baby could see’. What we saw when we did this was actually pretty nauseating, so as soon as our son and heir was beyond the toddler years, we never did it again. And it was much easier to do it at 25 than it is now, for sure.

And now, here I was, finding tufts of cat fur and coffee beans and those plastic meeting pins that introduce one at conferences and lost raisins and aspirins and mummified baby carrots under things I hadn’t checked since we moved into Turning Tide Cottage.

Where does all this junk come from? If I had been asked, I would have said my home was fairly tidy (though not organized) most of the time. But not, apparently, from the baby’s-eye-view.

I am self-aware enough to know that I am, in the parlance of impending motherhood, ‘nesting’. But there is really nothing that can be done about it. I’d like to claim it’s hormonal, that catch-all explanation for all strangeness of the female persuasion, but in my case, that can’t be the rationale. I think the thought of a new baby makes most women a little soft in the head. And when that happens, cleaning is a thing that you can do without a lot of thinking.

And no matter how it is that the baby arrives, nature wants us not to think too hard around him or her, because otherwise, we might start questioning our sanity and not do it again.

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Facts About Baby Furniture

When it comes to baby furniture, did you know that ...

* Choosing a convertible crib can save you money?
* Truly comfortable rocking chairs have backs that curve slightly?
* Only one type of changing table will really work well through toddlerhood?

Baby products are marketed very heavily. All the choices can be confusing for new parents. Would you like to know what pieces of nursery furniture really are important ... which design options are most useful ... what's really going to make your life easier, and what would just make an unnecessary hole in your bank account?

We've been there ... starting with our first baby, many years ago. Several children later, we've learned baby gear inside and out. We created this site to share what we know with other brand-new parents.

Because we’re a family with children – we don’t manufacture or sell any type of baby furniture – we can give you a totally unbiased evaluation of all the furniture on the market. From types of furniture to brands of furniture, we lay it on the line.

Our goal is to write baby furniture articles contain the most useful and comprehensive information on this topic available anywhere.

You're welcome to bookmark this site, or subscribe to our RSS feed so that you're notified when we add articles and update our recommendations.



Baby Crib Guide - A Safe, Comfy Bed For Baby
Baby crib safety and design considerations.

The Changing Table – Safety And Comfort
Guide to different types of changing tables; pros, cons, recommendations.

Rocking Chair - A Really Comfy Rocker
Guide to rocking chair features. How to choose a really comfortable rocking chair.

Baby Beds - For the Littlest Babies
Guide to baby beds (bassinets, cradles, and moses baskets). Safety guidelines and tips on how to choose a baby bed.

Toddler Beds - The Next Step
Information about toddler beds, including safety guidelines.

High Chairs - Keep It Simple, Safe, and Strong
High chair design features and safety considerations.

The Baby Stroller - Baby Gets Around
Discusses what kind of baby stroller to choose, based on intended use.

Find Bargain Baby Furniture – Baby Furniture Outlets, Discounters and Resale
Information on how to find bargain baby furniture. Baby furniture outlets, baby furniture discounters and local resellers.

Baby Furniture Manufacturers
Guide to baby furniture manufacturers - safety, design, warranty information. Tips on where to find baby furniture by manufacturer.

Essential Baby Furniture - What Do You Really Need?
How to separate truly essential baby furniture and equipment from less important items and options.

Baby Furniture Stores
Local baby furniture stores are the best place to select furniture. Only buy online in unusual circumstances.

Site Map For Baby Furniture Guides
Complete listing of pages on Baby Furniture Guides website.

Baby Furniture Blog ..........Great New Baby Resources
Keeps you up-to-date with all new material and changes to the Baby Furniture Guides website. Subscribe here.

Bellini Cribs & Baby Furniture - All About Bellini & Where to Find It
Information about Bellini cribs and baby furniture - safety, warranty, design information. Where to find Bellini cribs and baby furniture.

Share Baby Furniture Guides
Share Baby Furniture Guides; code for links.

About Baby Furniture Guides
About the creators of Baby Furniture Guides

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How to Choose the Perfect Baby Toy for Different Ages

It's possibly been ten or twenty years or more since you had to learn about baby toys. If that's the case than a lot has changed since Peter Powell Kites made the number 1 in the Christmas toy best sellers in the seventies and Masters of the Universe made it in 1984.

Now some toys look like laptops and are called learning centres while musical cot mobiles that don't come with remote controls as standard are thought of as relics of the past. Other toys blast Mozart at you and if it doesn't have flashing lights and swirling balls it's not worth investigating. Surely the world has gone mad? Well, not really.

There's certainly a lot more choice over the types of toys you might want to consider for your wee ones today but all the toys you were familiar with are still available today. Stalwarts like Lego and Stikle Bricks are still popular with hugely extended ranges to incorporate many popular film brands.

And traditional wooden shape sorters and musical toys are just as much fun today as they were when you were young. Train sets are ever popular and Daddies are sure to be chomping at the bit to convince their three year old that 100 metre train tracks are necessary for the attic.

Technology has advanced to such an extent that it is now possible to make affordable toys using advanced electronics.
Eight Steps to Choosing the Perfect Baby Toy

Possibly what has advanced more is the way the knowledge of how babies learn has been shared to a greater extent between manufacturers and parents. There are a number of toy brands available today that have turned to psychologists to help develop better toys for children.

And of course testing with children is viewed as incredibly important to most toy companies today. So how do you as mummy or daddy or perhaps a friend or a member of the family choose the perfect toy?

Well you've already started well by coming to visit this site! Thank You. Step One complete.
Step 2 - Do your homework first

Have you any experience of children and babies at all? If you haven't then urgently seek guidance from parents you know.

Ask your neighbours if they've had success with particular toys for particular age groups. And have a quick search on the internet to see what the best selling toys are for girls and boys.
Step 3 - Check the toy has passed a safety standard

It's really important to make sure that whatever baby toy you choose it has passed the appropriate safety standard. In Europe it should have the mark CE on it. If it doesn't have the mark on it, forget it. You don't want to risk the safety of a baby.
Step 4 - Carry out your own stringent safety checks

Carry out even more checks of your own. Think about the age of the baby and whether it is likely that baby will be biting hard because they are teething.

Look out for plastic toys that might break into tiny pieces in baby's mouth and avoid anything that has lengths of cord or string more than a couple of inches long especially if it will be within reach of baby.
Step 5 - Think about your baby's age and stage of development

Sometimes it's tempting to buy your one year old a toy for an 18 month old. Generally it's better to match a baby's age with the developmental age of the toy as baby will be in a position to learn more from it. Younger children will be fast developing their motor skills and children over one will be into problem solving and more physical toys.B & W cube
Step 6 - Think about the lifespan of the toy

When looking at a potential toy for your baby, think about its uses. Can the baby toy be used in different ways to keep baby interested over a longer lifespan or is it one that can be handed on to someone else within a few months of purchase?

Some toys evolve through three stages to keep baby interested when lying flat, sitting up and standing up.
Step 7 - Read all the information about the toy first

When buying a baby toy make sure you read about the toy and understand what it's for. Babies go through many developmental stages and you want to make sure that the skills baby will learn from the toy are appropriate to his age.
Step 8 - Don't buy toys for you

Even if you think that a baby toy is just fantastic, do research it before you buy. You might think a psychedelic dance mat is the best thing ever but your six month old might prefer his play mat.

Babies love play mats because they appeal to their sense of discovery and exploration of the world around them. You have to remember that baby came into a world that was alien and they're having to learn about their world bit by bit. That's why play mats with strong defining edges play a big part in giving baby a sense of their own space and their own world. Play mats tend to have hooped rings above that have hanging creatures – this also helps define baby's world as the real thing is just too big for them to take in.

It's also important to recognise that a toy may look particularly strange to you but it has been designed to appeal to a young baby. It is likely that toys for younger babies will have strong contrasting colours, faces, teething rings, lots of lights and music and maybe some jiggery bits.

Older babies will find more fun in shape sorters, pop-up puzzles, ride ons and lift and learn puzzles.

Three year olds will want to play more with physical toys, role play with play houses and paint more.

If you can think about baby's world in those simplistic terms then you are already on the right road to buying the perfect toy.
Different Baby Toys for Different Babies

Your baby will be growing now at the fastest rate. For the next two years you will see significant changes in the way baby reacts to you and interacts with others. There are lots of baby toys available today at all price ranges to help your baby discover his world.

Make sure you select a baby toy that is suitable for your baby's stage of development and do not assume that because your friend's baby loved a particular toy, yours will.

Toy buying on the internet is a fantastic way of researching and purchasing toys that are right for you and your baby. If you do want to check something out go and see it in a shop first then order online for the best deal.
Have a look at the right toys for the following age groups:

* 0 – 1 month
* 1 – 3 months
* 3 – 6 months
* 6 – 9 months
* 9 – 12 months
* 12 – 18 months
* 18 - 24 months
* 24 months +

To find out more about what to look out for when choosing and buying nursery toys visit our How to Choose and Buy a Baby Toy for Helping to Develop Different Skills section.

To find out more about the different types of nursery toy that are available for each age group visit our Types of Nursery Toy section.

To find out more about the different online baby and nursery toy shops and stores visit our Top Sites section.

To see what different nursery toy manufacturers offer visit our Brands section.

You can also find out more in our How to Play with Baby section.

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New parents usually receive a lot of clothes as gifts. Unfortunately, some of the more popular gift items aren't very useful to or popular with babies. If you receive items you don't need, try to exchange them for those you do need.

When buying baby clothes you have to balance functionality and cost.

When buying baby clothes you have
to balance functionality and cost.
Knowing which clothes to buy for your child can be perplexing, not to mention the entire diapering question. In this article, we will answer all of your baby clothes questions over the following sections:

* Diapers

Diapers play a major role in the first few years of a parent's life. New parents have probably never encountered a diaper before their baby and will likely have many questions. In this section, we will describe the various types of diapers and help parent's make an informed decision about which kind they want to use. First, we will explore the most popular choice -- the disposable diaper. Next, we will look a cloth diapers that can be laundered. Finally, we will warn you about some common diapering hazards.

* Infant Clothing

Infant clothing can be an unrewarding investment because your child will grow out of them so quickly. On this page, we will help you balance the need for comfortable, safe clothes, with the reality that they will obsolete in a matter of weeks. We will help you choose socks, underwear, sleepwear, hats, sweaters, snowsuits, and blankets.

* Toddler Clothing

Once your child begins to crawl or walk, their clothing needs will rapidly change. Also around this time, your child might start toilet training, which brings another set of considerations. On this page, we will help you choose clothing from the first through the third year. We will examine daywear and sleepwear as well as what makes an outfit right for you child. Finally, we will explore shoes and how to buy footwear for you child.


Baby Clothes Basics
Baby clothes basics including layettes, pajamas, socks, hats, slippers, and outerwear, plus what to buy when you're expecting for the first time.
Baby Clothes Recalls (18) Frequently Asked Questions (7) Baby Size and Age Charts (2) Washing Baby Clothes (14)
Newborn Baby Clothes: A Checklist for the First 8 Weeks
The first six weeks of a baby's life requires a few key pieces of baby clothes. Newborns are messy, so multiples of each item are recommended. But don't fret, the list is short; your newborn baby's clothing needs are very minimal.
Baby Coverall: What to Look for When Buying a Baby Coverall
A baby coverall is simply a one-piece baby outfit. As a new parent, you will find these to be indispensable items in your baby's wardrobe. With that said, there are definitely a few features you should be on the lookout for when shopping for a baby coverall.
Baby Onesie: What to Look for When Buying a Baby Onesie
A baby onesie is the foundation for nearly every baby outfit. They provide an easy way to give your baby an extra layer of warmth, and with snaps between the legs, they stay put and keep your baby's other clothing from rubbing up against their new and delicate skin.
Newborn Baby Clothes: What to Expect
The first six weeks of a baby's life requires a few key pieces of newborn baby clothes. Newborns are messy, so multiples of each item are recommended. But don't fret, the list is short; your newborn baby's clothing needs are very minimal.
Baby Clothes to Pack for the Car When You Travel with a Baby
When you travel with baby, there are certain baby clothes you should have packed in the car.
Baby Clothes to Pack For the Plane When You Travel with a Baby
When you travel with baby via a plane, there are certain baby clothes you should always have packed.
Auction Sites and Used Baby Clothes: Selling Used Baby Clothes on eBay
eBay can be one of the best places to score a deal on used baby clothes - it can also be one of the best places to make a little cash on clothes your babe has outgrown. Here's what you need to know about selling used baby clothes on eBay.
Free Listing Sites and Used Baby Clothes: Selling Used Baby Clothes on Craigslis
Selling used baby clothes on a free listing site such as Craigslist can be an easy way to generate a little extra money. Use what you make to buy new baby clothes for your ever-growing baby.
Used Baby Clothes: How to Consign Used Baby Clothes
While used baby clothes might be cluttering your closet, if you take the time to go through them, they might just score you some cold hard cash. Learn what you need to do to prepare your baby's outgrown clothes for consignment sale.
Cleaning Out The Baby Clothes Closet: A Simple Way To Clean Out Old Baby Clothes
Outgrown baby clothes can quickly take over a baby closet; learn how to weed out the old and decide what to save, what to donate, and what to consign when it comes to baby clothes that no longer fit.
Winter Baby Clothes - How to Dress Your Baby for Winter Weather
With cooler weather just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about how to dress your baby for the change in temperature.
Organizing Baby Clothes: Tips and Tricks to Keep Baby Clothes Organize
When a new baby arrives, so do lots of baby clothes. One of the most difficult tasks for a new parent is how to keep it all organized.
Designer Onesies
While shopping for baby onesies, you'll certainly encounter some of the designer brands, one of which is Ralph Lauren. But really, is it worth the extra money to buy Ralph Lauren onesies?
Create a Luxurious Baby Layette
Want to give an unforgettable baby clothing gift? You can purchase a luxury baby layette, or you can create your very own version. Here's how you can careate a beautiful baby layette with luxurious versions of the basic baby clothing necessities.
Top 5 Baby Clothing Items Every New Parent Should Have
If you’re a first time parent, or know someone that is about to be one, you’re familiar with the anxiety that can take over in the few weeks preceding a due date. Nursery ready? Check. Car Seat? Check. If you're headed out shopping, here's a list of the top 5 baby clothing basics you'll need. They're easy to find and won't break the bank.
Choose Stylish and Comfortable Infant Clothing
Sometimes, new parents find all the infant clothing choices completely overwhelming. Learn how to choose stylish and comfortable infant baby clothing.

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Its dificult to give our new baby names. It because of so many names can be choosen. This is the instruction for give a baby name:

1.Decide whether you lean toward unusual names or more traditional ones.
2.Collect names from both partners' family trees. Look for names of people who have played a meaningful role in either of your lives or who have names you both like.
3.Write down your favorite artists and writers; favorite characters from novels, movies or plays; and figures from history or mythology.
4.Think about cities and countries significant to you and your partner - geographically inspired names have become popular in recent years.
5.Think about your heritage. Do you want to recognize a particular nationality or ethnic background in your baby's name? Could you use other elements in your family's history, such as place names?
6.Buy a book of baby names and highlight the ones you both like.
7.When you've compiled a list, think about how your favorites sound with the baby's last name. You'll probably want to avoid rhymes, long first names combined with long last names, or combinations that add up to a celebrity's name or a pun, or that have any unflattering nicknames.
8.Using all of the above information, narrow your list down to two girls' names and/or two boys' names (depending on whether you know the sex of the baby).
9.After the baby is born, either bestow a name immediately or, if you prefer, observe your baby for a day or two and decide which of your choices seems most appropriate.

How to pick a name for your baby

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Highlights
There are thousands of names to choose from. Help!
Where do I begin?

There are thousands of names to choose from. Help!

Picking the right name for your child is a daunting task. It will stick with them for life, so the pressure's on! And while some countries have strict rosters of appropriate names you can choose from, in America almost anything goes. With all the options, it can be extremely overwhelming.

And of course, you'll regularly be fending off suggestions from family, friends, and strangers. While it doesn't hurt to be open to ideas, the decision is up to you and your partner. Don't be afraid to say thanks, but no thanks!
Where do I begin?

Start discussing names with your partner as soon as possible to set some guidelines. Keep a list of favorites handy so you can add to it whenever a name pops into your head. Use our Baby Names Finder tool to find name ideas.

There are lots of considerations when you're deciding on a name, such as appeasing relatives, avoiding embarrassing initials or nicknames, and steering clear of monikers associated with bad memories. These are some of the main points to keep in mind:

* Sound and compatibility. How your baby's name sounds when it's said aloud is one of the most essential things to think about. Is it melodious? Harsh? Does it go well with your last name? Often, longer first names work better with shorter last names, and vice versa. Combining a first name that ends in a vowel with a last name that starts with a vowel generally isn't the best choice -- the names tend to run together ("Eva Anderson"). Avoid first names that rhyme with your last name. And please resist puns: A name like "Holly Wood" or "Bud Weiser" will be cute for about five minutes. Then your poor child will be stuck with it for the rest of his or her life.

* Uniqueness. An unusual name has the advantage of making the bearer stand out from the crowd. Fran Barclay of Ann Arbor, Michigan, sometimes wishes she hadn't named her second son Matthew. When he started school, he had three other Matts in his class. "It was years before he really understood that his name wasn't Matt B.," she says. On the other hand, a name no one has heard of and few can pronounce can bring attention a child would rather avoid. One way of striking a balance is to choose a familiar first name if the child's last name is unusual, and vice versa. If your son's last name will be Smith, you might want to consider something with more pizazz than Joe for his first name. But if his last name is Aytrivbsoan, then Joe might be preferable to, say, Archimedes as a given name.

* Relatives and friends. Many parents choose to name their babies after a grandparent, other relative, or close friend. This option can provide you with a good pool of names to consider. Take ideas graciously, but don't tell anyone what you and your partner have decided until after the baby is born -- when it's too late to give in to any subtle hints. And never let anyone pressure you into a name you don't like. Great Aunt Hepzibah may have survived all right with her name, but will your baby?

* Ancestry and heritage. Your child's heritage is an essential part of who she is, and you may want her name to reflect that. Your religious preference may steer you toward a certain category of names. Or perhaps your family has a tradition of naming first-born sons after their fathers. If you love a name but it doesn't meet your family's traditional requirements, consider using it as a middle name. Or give her the name you prefer and use the traditional name for her middle name.

* Meaning. No one is likely to treat your daughter Ingrid differently because her name means "hero's daughter," but the derivation of your baby's name is something you may want to think about. After all, if little Stockard finds out someday that her name means "from the yard of tree stumps," she may not be pleased.

* Initials and nicknames. People, especially kids, can be cruel when it comes to nicknames, so try to anticipate any potentially embarrassing ones. Of course, just because you don't think of something doesn't mean some clever second-grader down the line won't -- and he'll probably find it utterly hilarious. But at least you can rule out the obvious problems. Also, be aware of what your child's initials spell. Zachary Ian Thomas will more than likely get a lot of teasing; Zachary Edward Thomas probably won't.

Remember, none of these are hard rules. The most important criterion for a name is simply that you and your partner like it.

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Baby is always cute and we love them so much. The new born baby sometimes make all the parent so confused.
Knowing what to expect when you have a newborn can ease the anxiety that every new parent feels and give you confidence as you bond with your new baby. Here you'll find advice and information on everything from bathing and feeding your baby to establishing good sleep habits, interpreting your baby's cries, and knowing when to call the doctor.

Newborns: The Early Weeks

The first month or two of your baby's life are an intense time. You may find yourself more "in love" than you thought possible – or it may take longer to feel truly bonded. It's also a time of hard work and little sleep. The better prepared you are for this time, the smoother the transition will be.

* Video: See what happens to your baby right after delivery
* Thirty things that change when you have a baby
* How love blossoms between you and your child
* See all >>

Newborn Baby Health & Safety

Newborns are more vulnerable than older babies to germs – they simply haven't had time to build up defenses. And of course, some start out stronger than others. Here's how to assess your baby's health and protect your newborn in the early weeks of life.

* Newborn screening tests: Which ones your baby needs and why
* Should I keep my pet away from my newborn?
* Should people wash their hands before holding my newborn?
* See all >>

Newborn Baby Care & Feeding

Parents are expected to know how to feed, bathe, clothe, play with, and generally care for their baby – but babies don't come with instructions. And even if this isn't your first baby, you may be trying to figure out how to deal with a larger family. We can help.

* Preparing to breastfeed
* How do you "play" with a newborn baby?
* Caring for your newborn's umbilical cord stump
* See all >>

Newborn Baby Sleep

Sleep when your baby sleeps – that's the advice moms always hear.

As you help your baby adjust to the world, it's useful to know the basics for this age, such as how many hours newborn babies typically sleep, normal sleep patterns, and how to swaddle and soothe a newborn.

* Newborn sleep: What to expect from your baby
* Photo gallery: How to swaddle your baby
* Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them
* See all >>


Why newborns look so funny
Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last updated: February 2007

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Few newborns look like beauty contest winners, which isn't surprising when you consider what they've been through. But is it really normal for their heads to be so pointy and their genitals so swollen? Here's the top-to-toe scoop on why newborns look so, well, strange.

Head
If you gave birth vaginally, you may take a look at your baby's head and think, "No wonder!" It's big compared to the rest of your baby's body!

Your baby's head may also look a little misshapen or kind of pointy. This is called molding, and it happens as babies squeeze through the birth canal. Your baby's head should return to its original shape in about a week.

C-section babies don't come through the birth canal, so they have an edge in the looks department. Their heads come out nice and round because they don't get squeezed.

The soft spots on your baby's head, called fontanels, are diamond-shaped openings in the skull covered by a thick layer of skin. These openings — one in front and one in back — allowed the bones of your baby's skull to compress during his trip through the birth canal, and now they'll allow for the quick growth of his brain.

The rear fontanel will take about four months to close. The front one will take between nine and 18 months.

Arms and legs
After spending so much time curled up in the tight space of your uterus, your baby needs time to adjust to his new freedom and stretch out a bit. His arms and legs will uncurl within a week or two. When he does begin to stretch out, he'll probably appear a bit bowlegged.

Some babies find swaddling — being wrapped snugly in a blanket — to be comforting because it mimics the tighter quarters of the womb.

Belly
Your baby might lose a little weight in his first week, but he should regain it during the second week and continue to put on the ounces and pounds at a fast clip in the following months, quickly filling out his belly.

After ten to 14 days, your baby's umbilical cord stump will fall off, leaving an adorable little belly button.

Genitals and breasts

The genitals and breasts of newborn boys and girls alike often appear swollen. This is caused by the extra dose of hormones just before birth.

A little milky substance may even leak from your baby's nipples. Don't try to squeeze the liquid out – it's harmless and will dry up on its own. Girls may have a little white discharge or blood-tinged vaginal mucus.

All of this will go away in the first few weeks.


Skin
Newborn skin varies in appearance according to how far along your baby is at birth. Premature babies have thin, almost transparent skin that may be covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo. You'll also see vernix, a cheesy white substance that protects a baby's delicate skin from the amniotic fluid. The farther along your pregnancy is when you deliver, the less lanugo and vernix your baby will have.

Babies of all races and ethnicities are born with reddish-purple skin that changes to pinkish-red within a day or so. The pink tint comes from the red blood vessels that are visible through your baby's still-thin skin. Because your baby's blood circulation is still maturing, his hands and feet may be bluish for a few days. Over the next six months, your baby's skin will develop its permanent color.

If your baby's skin takes on a yellowish tinge in the first few days of life, he may have a slight case of jaundice. More than half of healthy newborns show signs of jaundice, which happens as the body breaks down extra red blood cells.

Jaundice usually goes away within a week for full-term babies, but often hangs around slightly longer in preemies. It's usually nothing to worry about, but you should mention it to your healthcare provider.

About 30 to 40 percent of all babies are born with milia, small white or yellow dots on their face that look like tiny pimples. They usually disappear within three or four weeks without any special treatment.

If your baby has small pus-filled bumps that leave dark brown marks when they burst, it's probably pustular melanosis, a newborn rash more common in African American babies. There's no need to treat this condition. The marks will disappear by the time your baby is 3 or 4 months old.

Acne isn't unusual in new babies, either. About a fifth of newborns have a case of acne during their first month. Newborn acne is most likely to show up on the forehead and cheeks. It should disappear on its own within a few months.

Birthmarks — including Mongolian spots, angel kisses, and stork bites — are also common. They come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors and can show up anywhere on a baby's body. Certain types of birthmarks may not appear for several days or weeks after birth.

Most birthmarks are harmless. Many go away on their own in the first few years of life, although some are permanent.

Hair
Be prepared for some surprises when it comes to your baby's hair. Dark-haired Caucasian couples have been thrown for a loop by children born with bright red or blond hair, and fair-haired couples have been presented with Elvis Presley look-alikes. And then there are the parents who wonder what color that peach fuzz is, exactly.

That said, newborn hair doesn't tend to have much bearing on what your child's hair will eventually look like. Even if your baby was born with a full head of hair, he may begin to lose some or all of it in the first few weeks or months.

Don't worry — the hair will come back, although it may not look the same when it does. Babies born carrot tops can turn into blonds, raven-haired newborns can sprout fair tresses, and blonds often turn into brunettes.

Hair texture frequently changes in the first six months, too. You may find coarser, tighter ringlets growing in place of your baby's loose, fine curls, for example.

Eyes
Most Caucasian babies, though certainly not all, are born with dark gray-blue eyes that can take months — even years — to reveal their permanent color. Many African American, Asian, and Hispanic babies are born with dark gray-brown eyes that don't change color significantly, but some may start out with hazel eyes that get darker as they approach 6 months.

Most often, the eye color you see at 6 to 9 months will be the one that sticks around.

Ears
Your baby's ears may be soft and floppy, and one of the edges may be bent over a bit. As the cartilage in your baby's ears becomes harder, his ears will become more defined.

Nose
Your baby's nose may look swollen from the pressure on it during delivery. It may also be a little flattened or even off-kilter. (He'll look less like a prizefighter in just a few days.)

Your baby's appearance and behavior will change quite a bit in his first year of life. For information about your baby's physical and emotional milestones, try our Baby Development area. And to stay up-to-date on what you can expect during all the stages of your baby's first year, sign up for our weekly newsletters.

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