Newborn Care: Feeding, Sleep & Development Tips

All babies don't respond the same way to a skin to skin contact or through vocal sounds which you may use to bond with them. However, external sounds such as rattling a toy or light related toys tend to work well with most babies. In case your baby seems disinterested, it may be a good idea to try and distract them with these sounds and toys until they are used to it.

It has been found in certain studies, that letting your baby sleep on its belly can cause SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. The baby may be particularly susceptible if he or she is wrapped in a blanket snuggly. This is done to ensure that the baby is warm but, in turn, may result in suffocation if the baby is lying on its belly and sleeping in that position for a long period of time.

Most babies under 4 months old don't have much understanding of what's going on around them and they only cry if they need something or are in discomfort. They usually cry when something is amiss and picking up or cradling the baby won't spoil them in any way.

Newborns usually sleep for more than 16 hours a day as it is essential for the development of their brain. However, they rarely sleep for more than 2 to 4 hours at a stretch and this is how most of the sleeping time is distributed. Thus, it may disturb your sleep as a parent and it is essential that you plan how to go about your day for the first few months after the baby is born.