There are a few surprises that parents experience when they have their very first baby. These things are not always a big problem, but perhaps things that they were not expecting. When faced with these things, most parents adapt or barely blink an eye. When thinking about a new born baby, you have an idea in your head of how things are going to be, but those things are not always as you daydreamed them to be. Don't think that these things are abnormal. They are just things that many new parents are never told because most people don't think of them as important. To new parents, however, they can be.
You may read magazine after magazine about a new born baby to help you understand what your new baby will be like, what you should do, and what worries should be at the top of your list. Included in these articles are pictures of babies smiling back at you from the glossy pages of that magazine. What you may not realize, however, is that very few (if any) of those babies are actually new born. The newborn baby has a red face that may seem misshapen and even slightly bruised. This is a result of birth and it is nothing unusual. However, some parents are shocked when their baby looks unlike those babies in the magazines. Those babies are older than newborns, and there is nothing wrong with your baby.
You may have spent hours picking out and setting up your crib. This is something many parents spend a lot of time doing. You have chosen the bedding you like and stocked the nursery with diapers, creams and lotions, and all of baby's new clothes. What you may not realize is that a new born baby may not spend as much time in there as you think. Many parents find they end up putting a cradle or Co-Sleeper in the bedroom with them, and the baby stays out of the crib for at least a few months if not longer. Enjoy decorating your nursery, but remember it may not be used as soon as you think and that is okay.
You may be excited to take a new born baby around to meet friends and family. Some babies tolerate this well, but don't be surprised if your does not. Some babies have to be home much of the time or they do not feel secure. Some babies can go everywhere with mom and dad and not miss a beat (or a nap!) and others simply can not tolerate that. If you find you have a new born baby that can't settle down while away from home, or seems grumpier than usual, you may have to stay home more. Invite friends and family to see you at your home instead of going out.
Lastly, keep in mind that a new born baby grows more quickly than you think. If you got a lot of cute newborn size baby clothes at your shower, do not hesitate to put them on your baby. Don't wait for a special occasion as they are going to outgrow that size before you know it. You may know the next size up is about three months, but some babies graduate to that size in a matter of weeks. Put the nice clothes on your new baby and enjoy them, because they are not going to fit much longer.
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