What You Need to Know about having a Healthy, Happy Baby

When expecting a baby, soon-to-be parents are asked a lot of questions – are you hoping for a boy or girl? What color eyes do you hope she has? Do you think he’ll have his mother’s smile? These are all reasonable questions, but what’s important to most parents? The ten fingers and the ten toes. It’s just the soon-to-be parents way of saying, “A healthy baby is all we really need”.”
While pregnant or bringing home a new baby, the health of the baby does weigh heavily on parents’ minds. On the brightside, there are a few basic recommendations to help make sure your baby continues along a path of well-being.

The baby’s journey to a healthy life first begins in the uterus. Obstetricians recommend that a mother be healthy – meaning she is in general good health, is able to manage any ongoing or chronic health issues, and has stopped any dependency on tobacco and alcohol – before coming pregnant. A healthy mothers whose body is capable of nurturing and caring for the baby’s in-utero development provides the foundation of making a healthy baby.

After you’ve had a healthy delivery, your child is now exposed to the concerns of his new environment. The second tip is to select a pediatrician that agrees with your parenting philosophy and is ready to begin this journey with you. Most pediatricians will visit your newborn baby within the first 24 hours. Within this initial period, it’s typical for the physician to perform a general exam and may even provide initial vaccinations. Your relationship with your pediatrician will be crucial to ensuring you have a healthy baby. Be sure to schedule and keep each of your baby’s “well visits” with your pediatrician, typically about 8 times in the first year. To make sure your baby’s growth is steady and on track, during these well visits, the physician will check your baby’s weight, height, and head circumference. The doctor will also do a general physical, any scheduled vaccinations, and answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Although these visits are routinely scheduled, one shouldn’t overlook the importance of each visit – they are fundamental in the pediatrician’s relationship building with your babyinfant and helps the pediatrician identify potential issues as early as possible. The intention of these well visits is prevention, the key to assure baby’s best health.

Fostering your child’s happiness is one way to ensure you’re on a path to good health.Though many people have often considered a “mother’s intuition” to be mythical, there is a lot of truth as to how well a mother knows her child: trust your instincts. You know your child best, and you know what is best for your family. Regardless of your choice of breast or bottle feeding, your child will be healthy as long as he is eating and you are providing the doctor-recommended amount of food. Whether your baby wears one-size cloth diapers or fitted, as long as they’re regularly changed, dry, and free from diaper rash, your baby will be happy.

Child health and safety are the utmost important responsibilities you will have as a parent – make sure your child is in a safe, nurturing home where his needs are met and the risks are removed. Baby-proofing your home removes the risks associated with the many common household dangers. Some examples of things that need to be done are checking to be sure your child’s crib mattress fits into the crib snugly, you’re not leaving any pillows or blankets in the crib with your child, make sure you have safety gates installed to block stairs or hazardous areas and set your hot water heater to below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Baby proofing is critical to guaranteeing your child comes to no physical harm, and most pediatricians are happy to supply a full list of everything you need to do to ensure your home is safe.

Although there are always a lot of new worries that come along with being a new parent, there are a few basic tips that can get your child off to a happy, healthy and safe life. Through proper nutrition and care while developing in the uterus, fostering a good relationship with your baby’s doctor, and establishing a positive environment of good health and happiness will put your baby on the path of a long, healthy life. And if he gets his mother’s smile and his father’s good looks, that’s just the cherry on the sundae.