It’s an emotional occasion to welcome a newborn baby. Trying to keep up with feedings, diaper changes, and sleepless nights may also be exhausting. As you begin to know your child, it may be useful to be aware of some of the incredible things that infants are capable of.
Here are a some of the most typical baby idiosyncrasies that new parents question me about. Even if these are general habits, do not be afraid to bring them up with your child’s pediatrician. We would rather provide joy for something that isn’t a reason for concern than lose out on something that is.
Your kid may “startle” with arms and legs quickly stretched out in response to a loud noise, a change in position, or seemingly for no cause at all. The Moro reflex causes these jerky movements, which usually peak in the first month and diminish after two months.
This response can occur while a baby is sleeping and can even wake them up. Swaddling your baby to sleep can help reduce the likelihood of this happening. If you are concerned about your baby’s movements, record a video and bring it to his or her next well visit.
The first poop of a baby is simply dark and sticky. This is known as meconium feces. Baby’s poop should go from black to brown to green to yellow over the course of a few days. Baby feces is often soft and sometimes runny. This means it can sometimes flow out the sides of the diaper, up their back, and all over them.
The first explosive poop is usually a surprise to new parents, but don’t worry, you’ll be a pro at dealing with these blow outs in no time. Many newborns will defecate after every feed, while others will poop once a day, and some babies may go many days between poops. This is normally not a reason for concern as long as the baby has a soft stool when they go.
If you detect any white or chalky feces after two or more diaper changes, contact your pediatrician to ensure everything is well. Check read this blog post by one of my colleagues for more information about infant feces.