Healthy Baby

Baby Care Basics

What parent hasn’t brought their new bundle of joy home from the hospital and then thought, “Now what?” Taking care of an infant means mastering a host of new skills, from feeding to burping to recognizing when baby is sick. Click through the slideshow for our experts’ advice on common baby-care questions.

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Getting Baby to Sleep

Babies typically aren’t able to sleep through the night until around 4 months of age, but you can start setting a bedtime routine as early as 2 months. At 6 to 8 months of age, introduce a blanket or cuddle toy to help baby learn to comfort himself. When he wakes up in the night, give him a chance to figure out how to get back to sleep on his own. (And remember, always put baby to sleep on his back.)

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Binky Basics

It’s okay to use a “binky” -- in fact, research shows pacifiers greatly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If you’re breastfeeding, though, don’t introduce the pacifier before 1 month of age, and never use it to replace a feeding. Try to phase out the binky at baby’s first birthday.

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Soothing a Crying Baby

Babies cry for many reasons -- hunger, gas, being too hot or cold and overstimulation are a few -- and sometimes, they simply need to. You can learn clues to sort out what baby needs. You’ll probably have to experiment to find out what calms your child best. Some babies crave attention, for example, while others need some alone time to feel better.

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Bathtime for Baby

Babies don’t usually get very dirty, so they need baths only once every two or three days. Use a baby bathtub or plastic dishpan for the first six months, or until your infant can sit up by herself. The water should be warm (not hot), and only two or three inches deep. Don’t use soap every time, as soaps can dry baby’s skin and cause eczema.

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Circumcision --Yes or No?

Circumcision is a personal and cultural choice. While there is some evidence that circumcision reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases later in life, doctors don’t recommend it solely for this purpose. After the procedure, healing takes seven to 10 days. You’ll need to keep the penis as clean as possible, and apply a clean bandage with petroleum jelly at every diaper change.

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Burping 101

Babies swallow lots of air when they suck from a breast or bottle, and burping helps them release it and prevents gas. To do it, gently pat and rub baby’s back while holding him upright, laying him across your lap or while he's draped over your shoulder. Try to do it every five minutes or two to three ounces, and have a cloth ready for spit up.

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Is Co-Sleeping Okay?

Co-sleeping can mean sharing the same room or bed with your baby. Room sharing -- placing baby in your bedroom, in her own bed -- can make breastfeeding easier and give you peace of mind. But putting baby to sleep in your bed is dangerous. Grownup bedding is too soft, and adults can roll over onto baby, causing suffocation.

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Secret to Swaddling

Swaddling -- wrapping your infant tightly in a blanket -- comforts and calms babies, and limits the startle reflex that often wakes them up. To do it, fold down the top corner of a blanket, and place baby in the middle. Wrap a side corner around the baby and tuck under her back, then repeat with the other side. To protect baby’s hips, gather the bottom corner loosely and tuck it under one side.

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What to Expect at Checkups

Regular checkups are important for your baby. Doctors usually want to see babies two to three days after birth, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months of age. The doctor will check your child’s growth and development, do any necessary tests and vaccinations and answer your questions (as a new parent, you may have a lot).