45 Questions First-Time Parents Will Have, Answered

Becoming a first-time parent is as exhilarating as it is terrifying. There’s no right way to feel, and each and every parent is guaranteed to have a different experience. One thing all first-time parents will have is a heap of questions.

Thankfully, we’ve done the research and answered the 45 most common questions that first-time parents have. From newborn care plans (0-2 months) to what clothing choices you should make on behalf of your little one, all the questions that come hand-in-hand with parenthood need not go unanswered. 

Recommended reading: How to Play with a Newborn: 10 Tips New Parents Should Know

Newborn Care Planning

Relax: you’re not going to screw this up! Still, we get why first-time parents can feel that the odds are stacked against them when it comes to the daunting task of planning newborn care. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s the ideal temperature for newborn?

The ideal newborn temperature is 36.5 degrees Celsius or 97.7 degrees Fahrenheit, although it can range from 37 to 37.9 degrees Celsius or 96.8 to 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Rectal temperatures provide the most accurate way of determining a newborn’s body temperature because many superficial blood vessels line the rectum.

According to Burn’s Pediatric Primary Care, newborns should stay in a room with an ambient room temperature between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius or 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Obviously, your baby cannot tell you if they feel cold or hot. Hence, you should have an indoor thermometer in their room to monitor the room temperature. 

Babies cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults do. However, most babies start thermoregulation by the age of 11 weeks. Newborns have three times the body surface area of adults, making them vulnerable to rapid heat loss. Experts say babies can lose heat four times faster than adults. 

Low-birthweight and preterm babies are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations because they have scant body fat to insulate them against the cold. Their nervous systems are also too immature to regulate body temperature effectively.

What is considered a fever for a newborn?

Pediatricians consider a newborn as having a fever if their core body temperature is 38 degrees Celsius or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (taken rectally). Although it is tempting to use tympanic (ear) or forehead thermometers because they are convenient, these methods are inaccurate for children younger than six months.

Rectal temperatures are the most accurate because they reflect the baby’s core body temperature. Blood vessels line the rectal walls, allowing the thermometer to measure the heat from the blood. 

Fever isn’t a disease or an illness itself, but a sign that something is wrong with the baby. Fever can be due to an infection, a reaction to immunization, or overheating secondary to overdressing on a hot day.

Regardless of the cause, you should bring your newborn (0-30 days old) to the doctor if they have a fever or a rectal temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

How fast is the infant heart rate?

Newborns less than a month old have a heart rate of 70 to 190 beats per minute (BPM), 100 to 205 beats every minute (BPM) when awake and 90 to 160 BPM when sleeping. On the other hand, infants aged one to eleven months have a heart rate of 100 to 180 BPM when awake and 90 to 160 BPM during sleep.

Physical activity, fever, excitement, dehydration, and stress can elevate a baby’s heart rate. Moreover, babies’ heart rates tend to be faster during inhalation than during exhalation, which might lead to a diagnosis of arrhythmia. However, this is normal among infants. Premature heartbeats are also normal.

However, any heart rate below or above the normal values requires clinical evaluation. Babies with cardiomyopathy and congenital heart abnormalities typically present with very rapid heart rates. On the other hand, infants with a slow heartbeat might be hypothermic or have heart block.

How to stop a baby’s hiccups?

Pediatricians recommend giving babies a pacifier to help relax their diaphragms and open the voice box. Sucking on a pacifier should stop the baby’s hiccups. 

You can also try giving the baby gripe water because some parents believe this herb-infused water helps relieve infant intestinal discomforts, such as colic. Gripe water can contain cinnamon, chamomile, fennel, and ginger. Unfortunately, much of the evidence we have so far is anecdotal.

Rubbing your baby’s back can also help relieve spasms, stopping the hiccups. Gently rocking the infant can also produce a similar effect.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends sitting the baby upright and burping them during feeding to remove excess air from the baby’s tummy. Burping your baby requires gently patting their backs with a cupped hand. You might also want to place a bib or towel under your newborn’s chin.

Burping the baby can also prevent hiccups. You can burp your baby every time you switch between breasts if breastfeeding. If you are bottle-feeding your baby, it would be wise to burp them after consuming two to three ounces of milk.

What happens if my newborn doesn’t burp?

Two things can happen if your newborn doesn’t burp. First, babies can pass the gas through the opposite end of the digestive tract – the anus. Second, newborns can cry or become restless because of abdominal discomfort or pain. They can lift their legs, arch their backs, or even have bulging and stiff tummies.

Burping is the baby’s way of releasing trapped gas from its stomach after ingesting too much air during feeding. Hence, a baby who doesn’t burp can mean they did not swallow as much air during nursing or bottle feeding. Some newborns might spit up after feeding to remove the excess gas.  

Why is my newborn sneezing a lot?

Studies show that sneezing is a reflex response, allowing us to remove whatever is irritating the nasal cavity. Many of a newborn’s movements are reflexive, including sucking, rooting, stepping, and grasping. Although most of these reflexes disappear as the baby grows older, a few remain. One of these is the sneezing reflex.

Newborns sneeze a lot because they only breathe through their nose for the first two to three months. Hence, the only way they can breathe is by clearing their noses. Moreover, babies below one month of age cannot sniff or snort, leaving sneezing their only option of clearing the nasal passage.

Babies also have tiny nasal passages that can get clogged with dust, pet hair, lint, and other particles. Sneezing allows newborns to clear their petite noses of these obstructions. 

Why is my newborn stomach gurgling?

A gurgling sound in your newborn’s tummy can indicate gas. Doctors say it’s normal to hear sounds in the digestive system because the stomach churns the food solids and liquids (collectively known as chime) and moves them through the small intestines. You can think of the intestines as hollow chambers. As chime passes through the intestines, the movement produces a sound that resonates against the walls.

If you hear a gurgling sound in your newborn’s stomach, it usually indicates the presence of air alongside food particles and liquids. The air forms bubbles that produce the gurgling sound as the stomach churns the food. 

An awkward feeding position can introduce air into a newborn’s stomach, producing a gurgling sound. Other plausible causes of stomach gurgling include feeding too fast, ingesting air from a milk bottle, milk intolerance, using a pacifier, and crying. 

Why does my newborn spit up yellow?

According to the Mayo Clinic, spitting is common in the first three months of a baby’s life. It occurs because of an immature muscle guarding the opening between the esophagus and the stomach. 

Several factors can cause your newborn to spit yellow. Breastfeeding can produce yellow secretions because of the high concentration of colostrum. Unfortunately, some babies take a longer time to process colostrum, spitting some of the yellow breastmilk in the process. 

Your newborn might also be ill, causing them to form thick mucus secretions in their stomach. These yellowish fluids can come back up the esophagus and produce a yellow spit.

If your baby hasn’t burped yet, there is a chance the formula milk or breast milk curdles in the stomach. This thick, yellowish fluid eventually comes out as spit when you burp your newborn.

Acid reflux can also cause your newborn baby to spit up yellow, especially if there is mucus in the spit. In worst cases, a biliary problem might be producing the yellow spit.

Whatever the cause, it would be best to have a pediatrician look at your baby.

Why doesn’t my newborn poop?

The likelihood of an imperforate anus is high if the newborn hasn’t pooped within the first 24 to 48 hours of being born. If the baby has passed feces before but doesn’t now, there is a chance the newborn is constipated or has gas.

Imperforate anus is a congenital abnormality resulting in a blockage of the anal opening. It has several forms. For example, the baby might have no anus, or their anus is too narrow for the feces to pass through. The rectum can also connect to the urethra, vagina, penile base, or bladder, moving poop through these structures instead of the anus. Although rare, there can be a discontinuity between the colon and the rectum. 

On the other hand, newborn constipation can occur because of a reduced level of colostrum in breast milk. This substance not only provides nutrition and antibodies to the baby but also acts as a laxative. Lower levels of colostrum can make a newborn constipated.

Newborns almost always poop after every nursing, about eight to ten times every day. Two-week-old babies can poop three to four times daily, while six-week-old babies can poop as less frequently as once weekly.

It would be best for you to check your baby’s mood if they haven’t pooped for some time. Are they as playful and content as usual, or do they show distress or fussiness, especially after feeding? The latter can indicate constipation.

How to clean a newborn tongue?

Newborns don’t produce as much saliva as older children and adults, making it impossible for them to wash milk residues from their mouths and tongues. You should clean your baby’s tongue to remove the whitish coat after every feeding or nursing. Here’s how.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap to avoid introducing harmful germs and substances into your newborn’s oral cavity.
2. Wrap a clean piece of gauze or cloth around your index finger and moisten it with clean, warm water.
3. Have someone hold the baby for you and use one hand to open the newborn’s mouth softly and gently.
4. Carefully place your gauze-wrapped finger on the newborn’s tongue.
5. Gently rub your finger against the tongue’s surface in a circular motion.
6. After cleaning the tongue, rub the gauze-wrapped finger against the gums and the insides of the cheeks.

You can also use a baby-friendly finger brush made of silicone to clean your infant’s tongue. However, these brushes are only suitable for babies that are at least two months old. If you cannot remove the whitish coloration from the tongue after several sessions, it would be best to consult a doctor to check for oral thrush.

How to cut baby nails without clippers?

Experts recommend using an emery board to file the edges of the baby’s nails if baby clippers or baby nail scissors are unavailable. Carefully file around the nails to make them smooth. 

Always trim the nails under adequate light to help you file the edges without scraping the baby’s sensitive skin. You can gently pull the finger pad to widen the gap between the skin and the nail.

It would be best to cut the baby’s nails when they are drowsy, very calm, or asleep. You can also ask someone to hold your baby, sing to them or soothe them while you’re trimming their nails.

You can also turn the nail-trimming activity into a game or something fun. Distraction also helps. Always finish the nail-clipping by praising your baby.

Can I put lotion on newborn face?

Yes, you can put lotion on your newborn’s face. However, the product should be hypoallergenic to avoid irritating the baby’s sensitive skin. You can apply a baby-friendly moisturizer twice or thrice daily.

Dermatologists recommend organically-extracted plant-based lotions for newborns, such as shea butter, aloe, lavender, grapefruit, and oatmeal. However, it would still be best to test the oil on your baby’s other body parts (i.e., back of the hand) to check for any reaction.

Baby-friendly lotions should not contain dyes, parabens, phenoxyethanol, synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and other harmful ingredients.

Feeding and Food

Whether or not you decide to breastfeed your newborn, there’s lots to consider when it comes to developing your baby’s tiny little taste buds. We lay the groundwork for successful feeding below.

How often to breastfeed newborn?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, newborn babies less than a week old feed as often as once every one to three hours or eight to twenty-four times a day. One-week-old newborns’ feeding frequency isn’t surprising because they have small stomachs that can only accommodate so much milk at a time.

As newborns grow, their stomachs and digestive tracts also grow, enabling eight-day-old to six-week-old babies to feed every two to four hours. You can expect the newborn to suckle about eight to twelve times round-the-clock if you are breastfeeding. 

However, experts also recommend on-demand feeding. You should not wait for the ‘next feeding schedule’ to feed your newborn if it is already showing signs of hunger. Babies less than a month old are often hungry every one-and-a-half to three hours.

Why is my newborn choking while bottle feeding?

Pediatricians say young infants have an exaggerated gag reflex, making them gag or choke while feeding. They also say newborns’ neurological immaturity prevents them from controlling the different muscles in the mouth and esophagus. Hence, it is normal to see newborns seemingly choking or gagging while bottle feeding.

The most common reason newborns choke during bottle feeding is more milk coming out of the bottle than newborns can swallow. Likewise, the holes in the nipples might be too large, producing a faster and more voluminous milk flow.

However, a higher milk flow is still possible even with small nipple holes. Positioning the milk bottle nearly vertical promotes gravity to pull the milk faster. You can also get the same effect by tilting the milk bottle with its bottom higher than the nipple.

Hence, it would be wise to reposition the milk bottle if you observe your newborn struggle. You can keep the milk bottle almost parallel to the ground, allowing your newborn to use their sucking skills to control milk flow.

Can babies drink cold milk?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says mothers can give their babies cold milk, warm milk, and milk at room temperature. The only milk you cannot offer to babies is scalding hot milk.

Giving babies cold milk is more convenient for parents, and for a hungry baby, the waiting period for heated milk could feel like an eternity. 

Cold breastmilk retains the antibodies and nutrients babies need, which overheating would otherwise destroy. Traveling with your baby will also be more convenient since you won’t need to look for a place to warm the milk. You can take the cold milk out of the container, pour it into a bottle, and let your baby enjoy the drink.

How often can you give a newborn gripe water?

Some mothers recommend giving newborns less than six weeks old one milliliter of gripe water up to fifteen times daily. However, some gripe water brands suggest offering newborns it no more than six times a day. Others do not advise gripe water until the infant is around one month old.

It is worth noting that the US Food and Drug Administration banned gripe water because it’s unsafe for children, especially newborns. The agency found gripe water products with alcohol, dairy or wheat, high sugar content, parabens, and gluten.

However, gripe water remains popular among mothers for managing infant reflux, hiccups, colic, and teething pain. Hence, it would be wise to talk to your pediatrician to determine whether or not giving your newborn gripe water is appropriate. If it is, your doctor can recommend the ideal frequency of giving gripe water to your baby. Gripe water doesn’t require a prescription.

How many ounces can a newborn drink?

Experts say healthy newborn babies should drink 2.5 ounces of milk for every pound of body weight or 162 milliliters for every kilogram of body weight. Hence, you can expect a seven-pound newborn (3.18 kilograms) to drink at least 17.5 ounces (518 ml) of milk daily.

On the other hand, the American Academy of Pediatrics says formula-fed newborns less than a week old can drink two to three ounces every feeding. These babies feed six to eight times in 24 hours, bringing the daily milk consumption to 12 to 24 ounces.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to measure how many ounces a newborn drinks from a mother’s breasts unless you extract the breastmilk and give it to the baby in bottles. Breast-fed infants less than seven days old will feed eight to twelve times per day.

Newborns between two and three weeks old tend to sleep longer, making them miss their feeding schedules. Although the frequency is lower, the amount of milk consumption per feeding session is higher to compensate for the missed feedings.

One-month-old babies can drink at least four ounces per feeding session every four hours. It brings the daily total to at least 24 ounces.

Why can’t newborns have water?

Doctors don’t recommend water to children younger than six months old. The only sustenance young babies need is breastmilk or formula milk to provide the nutrients necessary for optimum growth and development. Moreover, the newborn’s still-immature kidneys and digestive tract can increase their risk of water intoxication and nutrient loss.

A newborn baby less than a day old has a stomach that can only accommodate two teaspoons. It also empties very fast, requiring more frequent feedings. Giving water to newborns interferes with their need to absorb as many nutrients as possible. 

Although newborns’ tummies grow over time, the size differential is almost negligible. A one-month-old baby can only accommodate 2.7 to 5.0 ounces in the stomach.

Giving water to newborns with immature kidneys can overwhelm these organs. The excess water goes to the bloodstream, lowering the concentration of essential electrolytes. 

Can newborns drink prune juice?

No, you cannot give prune juice to newborns. The American Academy of Pediatrics has strict guidelines on neonatal nutrition, underscoring the need for exclusive milk feeding in the first six months of life. Giving prune juice to newborns is against this AAP guideline because newborns are babies from zero to one month old.

The current recommendation is to give prune juice only to older infants that are at least one year old. It is also crucial that your pediatrician agrees to this action. Otherwise, you can make pureed or mashed prunes to incorporate into your baby’s solid food beginning at six months. 

Clothing

For some, the idea of dressing your newborn in doll-sized sneakers and colorful bibs is one of the most exciting aspects of those first few months. For others, it’s not even on the radar. Here’s some things to consider when raising your little fashionista.

Should you wash baby clothes before use?

Yes, you must wash newly-bought baby clothes before use. There’s no guarantee the baby clothes you bought from the store don’t contain harmful chemicals, dirt, dust, and other substances. 

A Wall Street Journal interview with a dermatology professor at Columbia University Medical Center  revealed bugs could live in otherwise brand-new clothes for several months. And since we don’t have microscopes in our homes, it’s better to wash the clothes before putting them on your baby.

The bugs might not have come from the manufacturer but from try-ons at the store. Unfortunately, it’s not only bugs you have to worry about. The person who tried fitting the clothes might have an infectious disease, and the microorganisms could be present on the clothing.

Your baby’s skin is so delicate that even dust can irritate their skin.

How long do newborn clothes last?

Three factors can impact how long newborn clothes last: baby size, growth rate, and baby clothing size differences.

Some newborns are long and thin, while others are short and wide, even though they might have the same birth weight. Unfortunately, manufacturers classify their newborn clothing by age and not by height or weight. 

Hence, you can expect newborn clothes to last a month or two if you have a small baby. On the other hand, a large baby might outgrow their newborn clothes within two to three weeks.

KidsHealth.org says most newborns gain an ounce daily and grow half an inch to one inch per month. It’s wise to appreciate that children grow in spurts. Their first growth spurt occurs between one and three weeks old, followed by a second spurt in the sixth to eighth weeks of life. 

Unfortunately, the growth rate varies. You can expect your fast-growing baby to outgrow their newborn clothes sooner than infants with sluggish growth. 

Manufacturers also have varying clothes sizes.

According to Gerber, newborn clothing can last three to five weeks for babies with birth weights less than 3.6 kilograms or 8 pounds. Newborns with a birth weight beyond this limit can outgrow their clothes within two to three weeks.

What size diapers do newborns wear?

The size of diapers newborns wear depends on the baby’s weight. Diaper manufacturers classify their products based on an infant’s weight, not age.

For example, Huggies classifies its Little Snugglers into two newborn sizes and six grown-up sizes. Premature babies weighing less than 2.7 kilograms or 6 pounds can wear the “P” diaper size. Healthy newborns weighing less than 4.5 kilograms or 10 pounds can use “N” diapers. Size 1 Huggies diapers are suitable for babies between 3.6 kilograms (8 pounds) and 6.35 kilograms (14 pounds). 

Other diaper brands might have a different sizing scheme. It would be wise to check how these manufacturers categorize their diapers to determine the best possible size for your baby.

Babies experience a growth spurt between the first and third week. It’s possible the “N” diaper your one-week-old baby uses today will be insufficient when they reach the first month. It’s an excellent idea to use a Size 1 for your newborn because it already covers the N-sized diaper’s upper two-pound weight limit.

How long do babies stay in newborn diapers?

How long babies stay in newborn diapers depends on their weight relative to the diaper’s rated weight capacity.

Most manufacturers rate their newborn diapers to a maximum baby weight of 4.5 kilograms or 10 pounds. However, some brands offer a 5.4-kilogram upper limit (12 pounds). A few companies also provide diapers for premature or low-birthweight babies, reducing the diaper’s upper weight limit to 2.7 kilograms or 6 pounds.

Consumer Reports says some diaper brands have overlapping sizes between newborn and Size 1. For example, a newborn diaper might be appropriate for babies weighing up to 5.4 kilograms (12 pounds), yet the brand’s Size 1 diaper can accommodate babies between 3.6 kilograms (8 pounds) and 6.35 kilograms (14 pounds).

Most average-weight newborns use newborn diapers until they reach six weeks or about 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds). However, some babies might have a slower growth rate, allowing them to continue using newborn diapers until the third month.

On the other hand, low-birthweight and premature babies cannot use newborn diapers for a few weeks after birth because they would be too big for them. If they grow fast enough, preterm newborns can start using newborn diapers for two to three months. 

Overweight babies might fit newborn diapers for only four to five days, making Size 1 diapers more appropriate for them. 

How many diapers does a newborn use a day?

A one-month-old newborn can saturate eight to twelve diapers every day. However, it does not always start with these figures.

According to HealthLine, newborns might wet only one to two diapers in the first 24 hours after birth. On their second and third day, they can produce two to four wet diapers per day. Your four-day-old newborn can wet four to six diapers in a day while wetting at least six diapers every day after day five.

It’s worth noting that newborns are individuals. Some babies might pee more often, requiring more frequent diaper changes. Whatever the case, it’s crucial for parents to know how many diapers a baby must use every day to serve as a marker for their hydration status.

HealthLine also says that one-week-old newborns should produce at least six diapers every day. Anything less might indicate dehydration. In such cases, it would be best to check for other signs, such as cracked or dry lips, extreme fussiness, rapid heart rate, very fast breathing, and absence of tears when crying. A doctor can help you determine the problem if you suspect your newborn is dehydrated.

How long can a baby stay in a poopy diaper?

Newborns shouldn’t stay long in a poopy diaper to avoid irritating their sensitive bums. Ideally, you should change the soiled diaper immediately. Pediatricians say you can extend the waiting time to no longer than thirty minutes, perhaps if your baby is sound asleep.

Changing the soiled diaper isn’t an issue if a baby is awake. Unfortunately, it can be a dilemma for parents if the newborn is asleep. Should you change the diaper and risk waking up your little angel? Or should you wait for not more than thirty minutes to see if your baby stirs so you can discard the dirty diaper?

Scholars say prolonged contact between fecal matter and the baby’s sensitive skin can increase the risk of diaper dermatitis (aka diaper rash). Feces contain bacteria and chemicals that can damage the still-immature baby’s skin. Fecal matter also has water, increasing moisture in the diaper and promoting the growth of other microorganisms. 

It would be best not to let your baby stay in a dirty diaper to avoid causing problems. Change the diaper immediately if your baby is awake. If your newborn is asleep, you might want to wait a maximum of 30 minutes.

How many diapers does a newborn go through a day?

Newborns can go through at least six diapers a day starting on the fifth day. Some babies can wet a dozen diapers in 24 hours by their first month.

Urine production picks up when the baby starts breastfeeding or drinking milk from a bottle. Babies grow stronger each day, allowing them to suck more milk from the breast or the bottle. The increased milk consumption also produces more urine, leading to increased diaper use.

The first 24 hours will produce enough urine to saturate one to two diapers. Babies can go through two to four diapers by the third day and another two to three diapers on the following day.

HealthLine says that healthy newborns must go through at least six diapers daily. Anything less is a potential indication of dehydration. Other signs can include fast heart rate, dry lips, rapid breathing, unusual fussiness, and a tearless cry.

Is washing baby clothes in public laundry OK?

Yes, it’s okay to wash your baby’s clothes in a public laundromat. After all, not all families have washing machines. However, there are a few things you must do when washing baby clothes in a public laundry to ensure infant safety.

Disinfect the washing machine by running a cleaning cycle or setting the washer at a high temperature and operating it empty. You can add a few drops of distilled white vinegar to kill microorganisms and remove any unwanted odor. After all, you don’t know who last used the washing machine.

Use liquid detergent instead of powder to wash baby clothes because it rinses out easier, making them more suitable for sensitive skin. A baby-friendly detergent isn’t necessary if your newborn doesn’t have allergies, dermatitis, or other skin inflammatory disorders. 

That being said, avoid using heavily-scented detergents and those with conditioners where possible. You might also want to skip the fabric conditioner because it can contain substances that can irritate your baby’s skin.

Make it a habit to read the baby clothes’ care tags because manufacturers have specific requirements for washing and drying their items.

Sleep

We all need our beauty sleep, not least of all our newborns. And since it will affect your own sleep schedule so much, one of the most heinous aspects of those first few months (or years) is getting your little one’s sleep just right. Here’s how.

Do babies need pillows?

The US Food and Drug Administration strongly advises parents against using pillows and other sleep positioners on their babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends allowing babies to sleep on their backs on a bare and firm surface. You shouldn’t place comforters, blankets, quilts, and loose sheets in a baby crib or under your newborn. They only need adequate clothing to stay warm and cozy.

Although we need pillows to help us sleep better and maintain a perfect spinal alignment, babies don’t need these sleep implements. Giving cushions to babies to sleep on can increase their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 37% of unexpected infant deaths are due to SIDS, while 28.3% of newborn deaths are due to accidental suffocation. Although SIDS might be due to defects in the infant’s brain controlling sleep arousal and breathing, adding pillows only increases the risk of sudden death. Sleep positioners can also suffocate babies when they stir, turn, and nudge their faces against the soft cushion.

Why does my newborn sleep with their mouth open?

Researchers explain that newborns sleeping with their mouths open might have something blocking their upper airways. It’s worth noting that young babies are exclusively nose breathers because they don’t have the reflexive capacity to breathe through the mouth until their third or fourth month. 

Your newborn may be sleeping with their mouths open because mucus blocks the pharynx or a stuffy nose. It might be due to a cold or an allergy.

Another reason newborns are mouth-breathing during sleep is sleep apnea, often indicating enlarged adenoids or tonsils. You can also check for other sleep apnea signs, including snoring, breathing pauses, and restlessness during sleep.

A deviated septum – the cartilage in the center of the nose – can also cause your newborn to open their mouths during sleep. Your doctor might want to check your baby if you suspect an off-center nasal septum.

Why does my newborn rolls onto side while sleeping?

Newborns roll onto their sides while sleeping for the same reason we do – to feel more comfortable. 

Each day is a learning opportunity for newborns. They begin discovering their bodies and their associated movements. They learn to control their movements as they grow, allowing babies to start moving more. A bare playpen or crib is the perfect place for newborns to move around and practice their newly discovered skills.

Unfortunately, no one knows why newborns roll onto their sides during sleep. We can only guess it’s to achieve optimum comfort.

Although it’s okay for babies to sleep on their sides, parents must be extra cautious to prevent suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. The crib must be free of sleep positioners such as pillows, bolsters, loose sheets, blankets, and comforters. These items can make it difficult for the baby to breathe if they smother their faces against these sleep implements. 

Young babies must always sleep on their backs until they reach their first birthday. Monitoring your baby is a great way to keep track of their sleeping habits. It’s also handy for making sure they stay happy in general. With AlfredCamera, you can easily turn an old device into a baby monitor. Advanced features like low-light mode and two-way talk make AlfredCamera far more sophisticated than most baby monitors on the market, despite the need for no additional hardware. 

Want that extra pair of eyes on your loved one? AlfredCamera might just be your new babysitter.

AlfredCamera is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

How to wake up a newborn?

There are several ways to wake up a newborn without causing unnecessary distress or discomfort.

1. Gently rub your newborn’s arms, back, cheeks, or legs to bring them out of their slumber. You can also tickle their soles with a feather. Your touch should be enough to wake up your baby.
2. Talk to your newborn in a soft and calm voice. Some babies respond well to their mom’s voice, rousing them from sleep. You can also sing softly.
3. Gently remove your baby’s clothing. Exposing them to cool air increases the likelihood of them waking. However, it would be best to perform this technique quickly because newborns cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as we do. They’d be at risk for hypothermia if left undressed for an extended period in a cold room.
4. Change your newborn’s diapers to wake them up. It would be best to be gentle and methodical in removing the diapers. You must avoid sudden, jarring movements that might startle your baby and cause them to cry. 
5. Moisten a washcloth with lukewarm water and gently wipe it on your baby’s face. Ensure the washcloth is neither cold nor hot to avoid startling or causing pain and discomfort.

Is newborn grunting and squirming while sleeping normal?

Grunting is normal among growing newborns who are learning to move their bowels. Newborns use their diaphragm to push down the intestinal contents instead of relying on the abdominal muscles to move the bowels. Since the diaphragm borders the chest cavity and abdominal cavity, its movement creates a grunting sound.

However, grunting can also be a sign of a serious health problem if you hear it during inhalation. According to Healthline, grunting might indicate asthma, meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, or heart failure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX3CZnrLxbQ

On the other hand, Medical News Today reports that grunting might be due to trapped mucus in the newborn’s nasal passages, gastroesophageal reflux, or dreaming. 

Squirming during sleep is also normal among newborns. A babies’ sleep cycle isn’t even remotely as long as an adults, lasting only about an hour or less. Moving around in their bed is a sign that the newborn is transitioning between sleep cycles.

Crying

Unless you happen to birth a linguistic genius, newborns are more-or-less incapable of communication for quite some time. Crying is pretty much their native tongue. Let’s decipher it. 

Is it ok to let a baby cry if nothing is wrong?

Yes, it’s ok to let your baby cry if nothing is wrong, provided they are already older than three or four months. If they are younger than three months, it would be best to pick them up and console them while checking their needs.

Pediatricians say letting a baby cry out loud can help develop their self-soothing skills, allowing them to learn how to calm themselves when they grow up. Children who cry out loud even when there’s nothing wrong tend to display less frequent outbursts when they’re older.

However, parents must ascertain there are no issues with the baby. Mayo Clinic says babies cry because they’re hungry, tired, lonely, wet, cold, or hot. Babies also cry because they want to suck on something, prefer bundling, or desire to move. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends picking up babies younger than three months and consoling them when crying. This action helps reassure babies that their needs are being met. It also gives them a sense of security, making them less likely to cry when they need you.

Unfortunately, there are conflicting studies related to the ‘cry it out’ method. Experts suggest mothers use their intuition to decide whether to let their babies cry even when there’s nothing wrong.

Why is my newborn still crying after being fed and changed?

Newborns cry for different reasons, not only because they are hungry or need a diaper changing. They cry because they feel lonely, hot, or cold. Babies also whimper because they need a cuddle or prefer bundling. The desire to move and sleepiness can also make newborns cry.

You might want to dig deeper if you’ve fed and diaper changed your newborn and it’s still crying. Your newborn may have gas or colic right after feeding. Did you burp your baby? Does your newborn’s tummy feel more rigid than usual? These signs often accompany colic, which may also explain the crying.

A mommy on Baby Center recommends giving newborns infant gas drops, placing them on a flat and firm bed, gently pushing their knees to their bellies in a back and forth motion, and singing them a little song to help relieve the gas pain. It should stop the crying after feeding.

Most babies who still cry after a diaper simply want to be held. They feel more secure, and the warmth your body gives is enough to reassure and calm them. 

Still, it would be best to have your doctor check your newborn if none of the usual suspects of crying after feeding and diaper changing are present.

Why is my newborn crying when changing diaper?

Most newborns cry when changing diapers because they don’t like getting cold when undressed. Wet wipes on the skin can also be a little unpleasant, and it’s understandable that cleaning them after undressing might irritate them. At first, it will take you a little while to get the hang of changing diapers. The more you do it, the faster you’ll get it, reducing the amount of time the baby feels uncomfortable.

Some mommies change their babies’ diapers before feeding. In such cases, the crying might be due to hunger. Your baby cannot wait to get their milk, making their frustrations known through crying. You might want to feed your newborn before changing the diaper if this is your situation, so long as they haven’t been sitting in it for more than 30 minutes.

It’s also possible that newborns cry when changing diapers because they’re anxious. They’re clueless as to why they are being undressed, having their legs lifted and butts wiped. The good news is that babies will become more familiar with the routine, lessening their crying tendencies. 

Babies older than three months might still cry when changing diapers because they feel they don’t have control of their bodies. Infants might dislike getting swooped up from their playpen to have their diapers changed. They might also not like the feeling of someone restricting their movements. For example, a four-month-old baby can start rolling from their tummies to the sides and backs. They might see diaper changes as limiting their newfound skills and sense of freedom.

Cleaning

First-time parents will often comment on how wonderful a newborn smells. Though they’d like to believe this is their baby’s natural smell, good hygiene practices and lavender scented moisturizers are probably doing much of the legwork. Here’s how to keep a baby clean.

How often should I bathe my newborn?

According to the Mayo Clinic, parents should bathe newborns no more than three times weekly to help preserve the young infant’s skin integrity. Moreover, you don’t need to cleanse your newborn daily if you’re prompt and thorough with burp cloths and diaper changes. 

However, it would be best to check your baby’s skin folds between baths and clean them using a moist washcloth. Dirt and other substances can accumulate in these areas, such as the chin, armpits, groin, and thighs.

A 2019 study showed that withholding bathing for the first 12 hours after birth could promote more effective breastfeeding. Another study underscored the value of not bathing newborns for the first 48 hours of life in ensuring a stable body temperature while aiding healthy skin development. 

The current practice is to bathe newborns once or twice weekly until the umbilical stump detaches from the baby’s body. It’s best not to submerge the newborn’s body in the water during this time. Instead, give newborns a head-to-toe sponge bath. 

How do I do a newborn sponge bath?

Experts recommend giving newborns a sponge bath once to thrice weekly for one to two weeks after birth, or until the umbilical stump detaches. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, here’s how to perform a sponge bath on your newborn.

1. Prepare the sponge bath supplies, including a clean and soft washcloth, lukewarm water, and a fragrance-free, baby-friendly soap. You’ll also need a soft blanket, a shallow basin, and a hooded towel. A change of clothes, a clean diaper, and baby wipes are also a must.
2. Spread the soft blanket or towel on a firm, flat, and comfortable surface. 
3. Undress your baby, wrap in a hooded towel, and lay flat with their back on the blanket. Expose only the baby’s body parts you want to clean to prevent them from getting cold. Always hold your baby with one hand for safety.
4. Fill the basin with lukewarm water and dip the soft washcloth. Gently wipe your newborn’s scalp, paying extra care in cleaning the head’s soft spots (known as fontanelles). Rinse the washcloth and moisten it with lukewarm water. Wipe your newborn’s face, eyes, ears, and neck creases.
5. Add a small amount of mild baby soap into the basin with lukewarm water and mix. Dip the washcloth into the soapy solution and wring out excess liquids. Wipe your newborn’s body, including the arms, legs, groin, fingers, and toes. Focus on cleaning the skin folds because moisture and dirt might be present. Clean and rinse one area before proceeding to the next, remembering to expose only the body part you want to clean and cover the rest.
6. Put on a new diaper and a change of clothes for your newborn. Clean up the area.

Other

A first-time parent’s list of concerns don’t begin and end with the obvious. Here’s some more miscellaneous questions you might have about your baby.

How long does it take to get a social security card for a newborn?

The US Social Security Administration says it usually takes two weeks to get a social security card for a newborn. However, different states have different processing times. There is also the two-week delivery of the card by postal mail.

For example, families in Alaska can expect a social security card for their newborns in nine weeks, eleven with the mail. On the other hand, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Vermont can process the application within a week.

The following US states can process a social security card for a newborn within three weeks: Delaware, Hawaii, and Washington. Meanwhile, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia can deliver the card in four weeks. New Mexico can do it in five weeks, while the rest can complete the social security card in two.

How to keep a newborn awake during the day?

According to Nested Bean, newborns below six weeks need fifteen to eighteen hours of sleep every day. They can sleep about fifteen minutes to three hours per nap, taking three to five naps during the daytime. They’re mostly awake for about one-and-a-half to two hours at a time. Unsurprisingly, many moms want to know how to keep their newborns awake during the day to keep them asleep at night.

Unfortunately, you can’t prevent your newborn from sleeping during the day because they need it for optimum brain development. The most you can do is play with them without tiring them too much. If they grow tired, newborns end up falling asleep.

Talk to your newborn in a soothing and calm voice. You can also sing them songs, play peek-a-boo, or show them around in their new environment. Provide your baby with enough stimulation to keep them awake.

Recommended reading: How to Play With a Newborn

You can also feed your newborn more during the day to help them feel fuller at night. This technique should help your baby sleep longer at night and stay awake longer during the day.

What is the best newborn tracking app?

There is no single newborn tracking app covering all aspects of newborn care, but there are some that will take the stress out of planning. Here’s some of our picks.

• The Wonder Weeks is perfect for keeping track of your newborn’s developmental milestones and caring for them with less fuss. The app provides insights on how parents can approach common developmental issues.
• Sprout is another newborn tracker worth checking out. Launching out of a collaboration between doctors and mothers, it has profiles that allow you to monitor your baby’s feeding and sleeping schedules. You’ll also keep track of your baby’s diaper changes and other newborn essentials. 
• Baby Feed Timer is ideal for mommies who want to ace the art of breastfeeding their newborns. It includes which breast to start feeding your baby with, the time of the next nursing episode, and more. A Time Magazine-recommended app, Baby Feed Timer is the brainchild of NHS midwives in the UK, giving you peace of mind in feeding your baby the most nutritious food.
• Baby Connect allows parents to monitor their newborn’s diaper changes, nursing times, developmental milestones, mood swings, and more. 
• Baby Day Book offers a hassle-free breastfeeding tracking feature and provides parents with a glance at the newborn’s sleeping trends. It also has growth tracking and comparison capabilities for optimum monitoring of the baby’s growth and development.

When will my newborn smile?

You can expect your baby to smile when they reach six to twelve weeks, with most infants showing their social smile in the ninth week. You might see your newborn smile a few days after birth. Unfortunately, this is reflexive and not a ‘true’ smile. 

A reflex smile occurs at random and is brief. You’ll most likely catch your little angel ‘smiling’ while asleep. 

Try coaxing your baby to grin by holding them close to you and talking to them in a soft and happy voice. Smile widely and offer your baby a warm hello using a sing-song pitch. You can also play peek-a-boo to elicit a smile response.

Can you have a fan on with a newborn?

Yes, you can have a fan on with your newborn. However, it would be best to position the fan so that it doesn’t blow directly onto the baby. It’s also a must to clean the fan before use to prevent dust and dirt particles from getting airborne and inhaled by the baby.

Place the electric fan far from the baby to prevent them from reaching the appliance. You can also buy a fan guard to fit over the fan and protect young children from accidents.

Studies show that using a fan in a newborn’s room can lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by 72 percent. Although it cannot replace standard SIDS prevention strategies, it’s worth noting that fan use could be helpful.

It is OK to go on a 4 hour car journey with newborn?

Yes, it’s okay to go on a four-hour car journey with a newborn, provided you take frequent breaks. Newborns must only travel thirty minutes at a time. Hence, if your journey takes you four hours, it would be best to schedule fifteen to thirty-minute rest stops every thirty minutes. 

Babies older than three months can tolerate longer-distance travels without stopping. However, it’s best to take a thirty-minute break from your journey every two hours.

Why do you swaddle a baby?

Swaddling babies is one of the most enduring practices of motherhood. Babies are wrapped in soft cloth to protect them against the startle reflex, ensuring a calmer and more peaceful sleep. It can also help calm a colicky infant while soothing baby anxiety by imitating a mother’s touch. Swaddling is an excellent way for babies to learn how to self-soothe.

Wrapping babies in comfortable cloth can also prevent them from reaching and scratching their faces, avoiding irritation or exacerbating eczema. It also helps position the baby on their back, reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

What is the average height for newborn?

The World Health Organization says newborns have an average length or height of 49.9 centimeters or 19.75 inches for males and 49.1 centimeters or 19.25 inches for females. By the time they reach the first month, boys would have grown to 54.7 centimeters or 21.5 inches and girls to 53.7 centimeters or 21.25 inches. 

It’s worth noting that this is just the average: half of all children will have heights either above or below these numbers.

Conclusion

The arrival of a newborn is among the most exciting times in a person’s life—and the most stressful. It helps not only to have realistic expectations going into parenthood but also to be kind to yourself in this incredible yet terrifying time, where each day is packed with new and rewarding experiences.

Preparation is key to easing the stress and surprise, and simple solutions, like AlfredCamera, will no doubt be of great value in making your new life as a first-time parent as fantastic as it can be.

Recommended reading: Watching Over Your Kids with AlfredCamera