Baby Care

All first-time parents have questions about what will happen when their baby arrives. These page answers some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) from first-time parents.

How Do I Know if My New Baby Has Colic?

If your baby seems unusually fussy at a particular time of the day or evening, he or she may have colic. A baby with colic will appear to have abdominal cramps and will draw his or her knees up. He or she may also appear to have gas.

Walking and rocking seems to help a baby with colic. You may need to take your baby for a car ride if en all else fails. The continuous motion and engine noise seem to have a calming effect.

Some experts believe that colic comes from an underdeveloped digestive system. Usually, by four months of age, your baby will outgrow it. Cereal can help; give it to your baby about half an hour before the bout usually begins, with your doctor's blessing, of course. Breast-fed babies seem to develop colic less frequently than bottle-fed babies. This is most likely because breast milk is easier for babies to digest.

What Will My New Baby Look Like at Birth?

Don't be surprised if your baby looks different than what you expected. Its head may seem cone-shaped, which occurs when baby comes through the birth canal. Its eyes look puffy and swollen, and its head is wobbly as its neck muscles are not yet completely developed. Your baby's skin may also appear blotchy. All these issues will go away on their own, in time.

Should My New Born Baby Sleep on Her Back, Side or Stomach?

Put your baby to sleep on its back or side. Placing it on its stomach could increase the chances of suffocation or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). In some cases, your doctor may tell you to place your baby on its stomach when it sleeps (for example, your doctor may suggest this if the baby has severe acid reflux). It is believed by some experts that a baby is more at risk for SIDS if it refluxes while on its back. Be sure to discuss any reflux problems with your pediatrician.

When Will My Newborn Baby Be Sleeping Through the Night?

After thoroughly studying the sleep habits of infants, experts generally agree that there is no single answer to this question. All babies have different sleep patterns. Some don't sleep through the night until they are almost a year old, while others seem to do it almost naturally right from birth. If your baby is not sleeping through the night after several months, don't be alarmed.