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The First Few Weeks with a Newborn



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The first few days after a newborn is born are a time of adjustment, acclimatization and transition. The baby is trying adapt to the world around them, while still feeding well. She will likely be sleeping most of the time and will consume small, frequent meals. Your baby and you will have a "honeymoon" for the first few weeks. It is a time when you get to bond with your baby and share the experience and joy of parenthood.

Baby's reflexes are a great way to help you find her

Your baby's reflexes can help her locate you during the first few weeks. Newborns respond to you automatically with reflexes. They are vital for the first few weeks, but do not last forever. Rooting is one example of this reflex. You can trigger this reflex by gently stroking her mouth. If you do that, she'll turn her back toward you.


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She will learn to grab onto your nipple

Your baby will latch on only if you are near enough. If she isn't hungry, she'll let go of her nipple. Hold your baby close to you and encourage her giggles or nuzzling. It might take her a while to open her mouth wide enough that she latches.

She will lose 10 per cent of her birthweight

It is normal for newborns lose weight within the first few day after delivery. Most newborns will lose 5-7 percent of birth weight within the first five working days. By the tenth day, they will be back to their original weight. A newborn who continues to lose weight after the first five days of life is an indication that there may be something more serious.


She will make a "honeymoon".

The first few weeks are when a newborn is a mother's "honeymoon". She will feel the baby's first movements, and you'll have your first chance to find out whether it's a boy or a girl! Whether or not your baby will be a boy or a girl, expect to experience many emotions during this phase, including excitement, joy, and exhaustion.

She will have a loss of lanugo.

Newborns have lanugo (fine, downy hair). Lanugo usually falls out during the last month of pregnancy. This hair will soon be replaced with the newborn's first black stool, meconium. Even though it's not an indication of anything serious, lanugo may be a sign that something is wrong. Talk to your pediatrician about lanugo hair loss in your baby.


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She will need lots and lots of sleep

A newborn's first few weeks are filled of sleeping and napping. For the first six months, she may need to nap for up to four hours each day. After that, she may need shorter or longer periods of time awake. To get the most rest for her, you must learn to watch her for signs of sleepiness. If she is tired or yawns, it's likely she needs more sleep.





FAQ

How can you best address sibling rivalry?

It is not possible to avoid sibling rivalry simply by ignoring them. Instead, find ways to make your sibling feel loved and appreciated. You can have fun with each other and they won't feel jealous.

Here are some examples:

  1. Play games with them. You could play hide and seek, tag, or any game where they have to cooperate.
  2. You can give them extra treats. Consider giving them an extra piece or cone of icecream.
  3. Make them laugh. You can tell jokes, sing songs or dance.
  4. Spend quality time with them. Go on walks together, read books or play board games.
  5. Talk to them and ask about their interests. Ask them about their favourite hobbies or activities.
  6. Be patient. Do not get discouraged if they have to fight. Remain calm and maintain your cool.
  7. Praise them when they do something nice for each other. Let them know you are grateful for their friendship.

What is a healthy lifestyle?

Healthy living for parents means eating healthy meals, exercising, getting enough sleep, spending time with loved ones, and having a balanced diet. It also means avoiding drugs and alcohol.


What should first-time mothers learn?

First-time moms should be aware of how much they are still learning. They must realize that they do not have to be alone in this journey.

There are many women who have been there before. They've also learned from their experiences.

They'll find support and encouragement from these women.

And they'll feel less isolated as they make their way into motherhood.


Why do parents choose authoritarian parenting?

For children to develop into healthy adults, they need to have a sense of autonomy and self-determination. Children who don't have the ability to make decisions for themselves often feel helpless in life and are unable to manage it. As a result, they may become anxious or depressed.

The environment created by authoritarian parenting tends to be one where children feel powerless and controlled. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. It affects their ability or willingness to accept and deal with difficulties.

It is possible to raise confident, happy children by allowing them the opportunity to fail and succeed without fear. Authoritative parenting encourages children to take responsibility for themselves and their actions.

Children should always be given choices and encouraged to express opinions and ideas freely. By doing this, you help children build confidence and resilience.


Are the teenage years difficult for parents?

Teenagers can be difficult to manage as they may not always want what you expect. Teenagers can also rebel against parental authority.

Teenagers are just as dependent on guidance and love as any other age. Remember that teenagers have to learn to make choices and take responsibility for their actions.

They need to be allowed to roam the streets without supervision and not too much freedom. They must know when to seek help.

Teenagers are typically independent and self-sufficient in nature. They do need your support, however.

Teens should feel loved and taken care of. They need to look up to their parents and see them as role models.

Teens need to know why certain rules exist. Teens should not smoke cigarettes or consume alcohol.

Children need to learn right from wrong from their parents. They must also inform their children about the consequences for breaking these rules.

Children should see that parents respect their opinions. Listening to their opinions is important.

This also means being open-minded to compromise.

Sometimes teenagers rebel and get mad. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that they are rebellious. In fact, it shows that they're growing up.

Teens will often act out when they want to express something deep within.

They may be feeling confused or frustrated. Or they may be having trouble coping with life changes.

Listen to your teen. Then try to figure out what's causing his or her behavior.

You can solve the problem if you are able to identify it.


What is an example of positive parenting?

Positive parenting teaches children how they should behave by setting high expectations and expecting them live up to them. It involves loving them unconditionally and supporting them through their struggles.

Positive parenting encourages children and their families to make the right decisions for themselves, rather than relying on others. This helps children become independent adults who can decide for themselves what they want, rather than following the advice of others.

Positive parenting includes having fun together and encouraging children to have fun in their lives.

When children see their parents care about them and treat them like people instead of objects, they begin to trust them. As a result, they are less likely to get into trouble and become happier and healthier.


Is it better not to be strict?

It is important to be a strict parent. It's important for children to learn how to behave themselves. However, discipline is necessary if children are not being consistent.

They must learn how to behave properly. It is not a good idea to allow them to run wild, as they could endanger someone or do wrong.

You will discover that it is harder to be a strict parent than a permissive parent. You will see rebellion in your children if you give them too much freedom.

But if you allow them too much freedom, they will not know how to behave.

Being a strict mother is not easy, but it's worth the effort.



Statistics

  • Students from authoritative families were likelier to say that their parents–not their peers–would influence their decisions (Bednar and Fisher 2003). (parentingscience.com)
  • Dr. Phil says, “Children should be able to predict with absolute certainty, what will happen as a result of their behavior, 100% of the time.” (parenting.kars4kids.org)



External Links

positivepsychology.com


ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


positiveparentingsolutions.com


sciencedaily.com




How To

How to be better parents

Good parenting is showing your children love, support and guidance. It means being there when they need you most - even if that means staying up late at night or taking them to school early. Good parenting involves teaching your children the skills necessary to be responsible adults.

It's not always easy to be a good parent. Sometimes it may seem impossible to keep up and meet the needs of your kids. Every child must learn from their mistakes. We can help our children learn from their mistakes and become responsible adults who know what is acceptable and what is not.

You must ensure your children are getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, exercising regularly, spending quality time with them, talking about their day, listening to feedback, and practicing appropriate social skills. Although you don't have the right to do everything, you can set an example for your children.

Your job as a parent should be to equip your children to succeed in adulthood. This doesn't mean that you won't have your moments; it just means that you are able to laugh even when you cry.




 



The First Few Weeks with a Newborn