baby - Things You Should Know About Your Newborn Baby

One of the things you will probably notice about your newborn is that his proportions don't seem quite right. His head will seem large in comparison to the rest of his body while his abdomen will seem very rounded - this is due to muscle weakness. His arms and legs on the other hand may appear to be very skinny. Head A newborn baby's head is roughly one quarter of his entire length. An adults head is about one eighth of his length so it therefore not surprising that newborn babies seem to have large heads - they do. The head will probably not be perfectly round either. This is due to the fact that the bones in the head have to move over each other during the birth process to allow the head to fit down the birth canal. But don't worry as this will not affect his brain and the shape of the head will soon go back to normal. Skin Some babies have a white greasy substance which can cover some or all of their heads and bodies when they are born. This is called vernix. Sometimes the hospital staff remove this straight away but other times it is left to absorb into the skin naturally over a couple of days. Dry and peeling skin is also common in newborns but this soon goes away. Another thing you may notice are tiny white spots on the face. These are called milia and result from blocked sweat glands. Don't try and squeeze these as, again, they will soon clear up. Birthmarks Sometimes a baby has small red marks on the skin. These are most likely to be seen on the forehead or back of the neck. They are due to enlarged blood vessels near the skin's surface and are nothing to worry about. They usually disappear sometime between six and eighteen months. Jaundice It is not unusual for a baby to become jaundiced in the first few days after birth. When a baby is born he has a high level of primitive red cells and when these get broken down one of the components, a yellow pigment called bilirubin, increases in the blood. This causes a yellow discoloration to the skin and whites of the eyes but in most cases it disappears in the first week or so. Occasionally a baby may need special light treatment to bring the bilirubin levels down but this is not normally a cause for concern. Eyes Babies sometimes look as if they have swollen eyes. This occurs because of the pressure applied during birth but the puffiness will subside after a few days. Another interesting thing about babies is that they are unable to actually shed tears until they are about four or five months old. Surprising really given the amount of time they can spend crying! Lisa Davies is a writer and mother of two. To find out more about newborn baby care visit our website Babies Development Stages at http://www.babies2toddlers.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Davies baby - Essential Supplies for your New Baby As every parent has surely discovered, you are never quite prepared for the arrival of your new baby. No matter how much time and effort you might put into preparing yourselves and your home for your new arrival, there are always a few things that tend to get overlooked. This is not without good reason, mind you. It is such a wonderfully exciting time for expectant parents, so naturally you are going to be less focused on trivial day-to-day matters. For all of the expectant parents our there, this article is for you! The nursery is the first place to start when you are preparing your home for your new baby. The crib is likely the first major piece of furniture you will purchase for your child. Be sure that the crib you purchase meets all of the mandatory and voluntary safety guidelines. You will also want to invest in a quality crib mattress, as your baby will be spending upwards of 70% of his or her first year on it. Bedding is another consideration, and very much a matter of personal preference. Just don't forget to pick up a mattress cover! A changing table is another option, but not entirely necessary. Alternately, a baby monitor is an absolute must-have for your child's nursery. The next area to focus your attention on is that of baby supplies. While most people have a reasonable idea of what their children's needs are, it is a good idea to pause and reflect every so often. Baby supplies are very popular, and there are so many choices to make. Be sure you purchase mild baby soap and shampoo, as chemicals and fragrances can have a terrible impact on a baby's fresh skin. A high quality, all-natural, moisturizer should also be used. Some parents are keen on using baby powder to help keep their baby's bottom dry. Try to find a baby powder that does not have a talcum powder base. It can be terribly dangerous if inhaled, so be on the lookout for one with a cornstarch base. After all of the necessary supplies and furniture have been secured, it is time to think about fun and entertainment for your baby. While the world itself will provide hours of fun and discovery for your child, certain toys and playthings can considerably enhance their experiences. A mobile is an excellent toy for new babies, as they spend a lot of time in their crib at that age. Some soft, fluffy toys are also nice, especially if they are designed to provide some sensory stimulation of some sort. Teething toys are an absolute necessity as your child grows older. There are some wonderful toys on the market for young children, just be sure to consult the consumer reports for information about recalls and other possible dangers associated with children's toys.