[MUSIC PLAYING]
SUBJECT: Newborns are
cute and cuddly,
but they definitely don't come
with an instruction manual.
So here are the five things you
need to know
about newborn babies.
[BABY CRYING]
Number 1 -- they cry a lot.
But don't worry.
It doesn't always mean they're
in pain or upset.
There are distinct cries
for hunger, pain, sleepiness,
wet diapers,
and for when just need to get
some energy out.
Relax -- you'll learn them.
Number 2 -- babies poop a lot.
It's tip number 2 for a reason.
The first few days
of your baby's life, their poop
will look like a greenish black
tar.
That's called meconium.
After about four days,
it'll change
into normal newborn poop.
And luckily it doesn't smell too
bad -- that is, until they start
eating solid foods.
Rounding out the list of things
babies do a lot is number 3 --
sleep.
Newborns can sleep 16 to 20
hours a day.
But they won't do it
all at once, because they get
hungry.
Newborns eat about every two
to three hours, so you can count
on those wake-up calls.
Newborns often have their days
and nights mixed up,
so experts say keep
their nurseries dark at night
and bright during the day,
even when the baby is asleep.
Number 4 -- interact
with your baby.
Talk to your baby
like you would any other person.
Read a book to them-- they're
a captive audience.
Point out the animals,
the flowers, the mailman,
or whatever else is around.
Getting your baby to interact
with the world around them
will pay off sooner than you
think.
And last but not least, number
5 -- you can't spoil
a newborn enough, despite what
your mom, or your aunt,
or your brother-in-law's cousin
says.
Hold your newborn as much as you
want, and feed them when they're
hungry.
Experts say the part
of the brain
responsible for habit formation
isn't even
plugged in until almost six
months.
So have no fear -- once your baby
starts to get older,
there will be plenty of time
to form good or bad habits.
But for now, cuddle away.
And those are the five things
you need to know about newborns.
