Baby Care Encyclopedia

What an exciting and challenging time! If this is your first baby, you will embark on the reality of parenthood with virtually no experience and a thousand questions. After the first few months, the basics and rhythm of baby care will be second nature. More importantly, whether this is your first baby or your fifth, soon you will really get to know this unique new individual who has joined your family with a lusty howl. Life will progress, expanded by the joy and the ever-evolving experiences of parenthood.
Every child develops at his own pace, reaching some milestones faster than the norm and others more slowly. But individual differences aside, it’s safe to say that the first two to three months of life are a special time, during which babies undergo an important transition from the complete dependence of fetal life to more independent life in the outside environment. Because the baby’s body systems need to mature, he will be completely dependent on you to meet all his needs, virtually around the clock. By the end of this period, the relationship begins to feel a little less one-sided, as the baby’s relationship with people and surroundings becomes more interactive.
The first few months are a time of great intimacy between parents and babies, a period of adjustment as you learn to recognize and respond to your baby’s needs. Since this is a period of learning, be patient with yourself, even if things don’t go “by the book.” The baby doesn’t need a textbook version of a perfect parent; your love and attention are adequate. The more you can relax and enjoy your newborn, the better things will go for both of you.
The first few days and weeks of life deserve a special introduction of their own. After that comes a more general overview of a baby’s development and care for the first two months.