Birth certificates 

The good news is that since 2017 following the passage of marriage equality in the U.S., both parents can be listed on the birth certificate from the moment your baby is born. This document is a helpful recognition of your family. You will have an easy opportunity to fill out the information that will appear on the birth certificate right in the hospital after your baby is born.

If you are married, there is also court precedent that recognizes a presumption of parentage, meaning if you and your spouse were married prior to the birth of your child, most courts of law in the U.S. will affirm that you are the legally rightful parents. 

Second parent adoption

That said, the birth certificate is not technically a legally binding document and is largely unrecognized outside of the U.S. Similarly, your marriage is not universally recognized around the world, particularly in places where same-sex marriage remains illegal. So while it’s still an important step, logistically and emotionally, to have both parents listed on the birth certificate, you should also pursue a legal second parent adoption to create more secure protections for your family. Second parent adoption is also known in some jurisdictions as stepparent adoption, which is misleading because we know two same-gender parents are not stepparents, but that is what the legal process is sometimes called. 

Second parent adoption papers are the only globally recognized documents that will affirm and protect your LGBTQ+ family fully and legally. It’s a critical step in ensuring fairness and protections for your family in instances in which you might be traveling to countries where marriage equality isn’t recognized, if you go through divorce or separation and are seeking parental or visitation rights and child support payments, or if marriage equality laws were ever to change in the U.S. or in particular jurisdictions within the U.S.

Understanding the process

The second parent adoption process is a bit of a legal patchwork quilt. Every state has a different process, some incredibly different than others and some much more onerous, unfortunately. In some places, you need only to fill out a one-page form and mail it to the court. In others, you have to submit to a rigorous, long-winded, invasive, and even expensive process. You may be required to hire and pay for an accredited social worker who will pay you a home visit and observe your family and take notes about your fitness to parent (mind you, after your child is born and you are already parenting). This can be painful and incredibly frustrating. 

You may need to submit to background checks and even bloodwork, often at your own expense as well. Finally, you may need to retain a lawyer who can submit the mounds of required paperwork on your behalf and help you navigate the often-complex court system. 

The process can take anywhere from a single day to upwards of a year or more, depending on where you live. Some states allow you to start or even complete the process before the child is born; others won’t allow you to file a petition until after the child is born, or when certain thresholds are completed. It can cost anywhere from $30 to thousands of dollars, again, depending on where you live and your state’s requirements. 

There is building awareness about the need to update laws in many states to make the second parent adoption process easier. Regardless, it’s worth investing the time and effort to ensure that your beautiful family is safe and protected. 

Read more

• Celebrate Pride all year long with these inclusive LGBTQ children’s books
• Explaining gender and orientation to your child

The good news is that baby care at this stage comes down to basic needs and small joys – feeding, diaper changes, cleaning, soothing, and helping your little one get to sleep.

So, just what should you know about the basics of newborn baby care before the big day?

Feeding

In the first week, it may seem like Baby is behaving like they’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet, as they’ll likely be feeding every one to three hours or about an average of 8 times in 24 hours. Keep in mind that babies who are nursing may eat more frequently because breastmilk is digested quickly, which may also mean more frequent poops! And formula fed babies may eventually go a little longer between feedings because formula moves through the digestive tract a bit more slowly. Some healthcare providers will recommend that if Baby sleeps for stretches beyond 3-4 hours, you wake them up to feed. If this happens to be what Baby does, check with their healthcare provider to see what they recommend, which may depend greatly on how they feed overall and gain weight.

And as you adjust to Baby’s feeding needs, it can be helpful to keep an eye (and ear) out for early signs of hunger – things like restlessness, stirring, sucking motions, lip movements, bringing their hands to their mouth, or, if Baby’s neck is strong enough, rooting around or bobbing their head.

Soon enough, you may even recognize exactly the sort of cry your little one makes when hungry! This can help you start to feed Baby before they get so hungry that they’re frantic, making it harder for them to latch well or settle down to eat enough to feel satisfied.

Whether nursing, bottle-feeding, or a combo you’ll want to hold Baby comfortably as they eat, adjusting your position during the feeding if necessary. And after Baby is done, think about the burp! You may even want to burp them when they take a little break between breasts if nursing or when halfway through a bottle. On the other hand, some babies are upset by the jiggling and repositioning of burping. Every baby is different, and you’ll soon learn what works best for your little one.

Diaper changes

Since your little one will eat so often, and their stomach will be so tiny, prepare yourself for many diaper changes. When it’s that time, use gentle wipes to clean Baby’s diaper area, always wipe from front to back, and use a barrier cream if needed. Not only will it help soothe Baby’s skin, but it will also help make poop cleanup that much easier because the ointment can help to keep poop from sticking to the skin. All of this can help stave off diaper rash. These are sensitive parts, so treat them with care.

When Baby is brand new, a good guideline for how often they should be peeing and pooping is one that corresponds to their age. In the first few days, they should have one wet diaper for each day they are old — meaning one wet diaper on day one, two wet diapers on day two, three wet diapers on day three and so on.

At around day 5-6, expectations level off. You can expect a minimum of 6 heavy wet diapers every 24 hours. The pee should appear pale yellow on the diaper. Fewer wet diapers than expected, or urine that is rusty or orange colored, can be a sign of dehydration, so it’s important to get support if you notice numbers below your targets. 

The similar schedule exists for poop. Expect one dirty diaper for each day of Baby’s life, up until day 5 or 6. At this point, a minimum of two poops in 24 hours, although some newborns might poop more often — some even poop every time they nurse!

And beyond number, there’s a whole lot more to keep an eye on when it comes to newborn poop. You’ll notice in the first few days that your little one’s poop will be a dark, sticky, tar-like substance. This is because Baby will still be passing the meconium that coated their intestines in utero. Soon this will make way for a whole new variety of poo. And breastmilk and formula not only make a difference in poop frequency but also poop consistency.

After the meconium is cleared out, breastfed babies will have poop that is fairly loose and soft, with a curdled or seedy quality from the milk solids, and which can range in color from bright yellow to somewhat greenish. It generally has a mild odor, some people describe it as yogurt-like. Formula fed babies may have poop that is thicker and more solid in texture, and it may range from yellow to brown in color. The odor is much more noticeable in most cases!

If Baby isn’t peeing or pooping as frequently, or if their poop is red, white, gray or black (after the meconium passes), then you should be in touch with their healthcare provider. This could mean they are not eating as much as they should be or indicate signs of infection, jaundice, or bleeding.

Body care

When it comes to caring for Baby’s body beyond diaper changes, there are a few things to focus on:

• Umbilical cord: When caring for their umbilical cord, the less you do, the better. Simply keep it dry, and — until it falls off — consider keeping diapers folded down so they don’t rub against it. You may notice some blood or crustiness from the stump on Baby’s diaper, and this is usually okay. But if you notice swelling, redness, oozing, or odor at the stump site, call their healthcare provider. And after the stump falls off, keep in mind you may still see a bit crustiness or blood. Often you need to allow another 7-10 days for things to heal fully.
• Bathing and washing: Right now, you might not be totally sure just when or how often you should bathe your newborn, but chances are, when the time comes, you’ll know. If, for example, your bundle of joy has a particularly explosive poop, a leaky diaper, or a really gnarly spit up, it’s a fine time for a bath. This might amount to two or three times a week. Bathing Baby more often, especially during dry or winter weather, can make them more likely to experience dry or cracking skin.
• In these early days, you can give Baby a sponge bath in an infant bath sling or on a towel. You also have the option to do a swaddle immersion bath in a tub, as some babies prefer this relaxing ritual. Swaddle baths don’t increase the risk of infection in their umbilical stump, but getting the stump wet may mean it takes longer to dry out and fall off. You can use a damp washcloth with warm water and/or water gentle unscented soap to clean them, gently washing the scalp, face, and down the body, avoiding the eyes. If you to clean around the eyes, just use water. Don’t forget behind the ears and in any cute and pudgy neck rolls or crevices, as milk and spit up can collect and cause irritation.
• Nails: When Baby is particularly wee, you might not think nail care needs to be at the top of your to-do list. But if their nails are long – and lots of newborns have some pretty serious claws – they can very easily scratch their face and your body. Adorable newborn mittens can help, but trimming Baby’s nails is an even better choice. Newborn nails are super soft, so it’s safest to file your little one’s nails with an emery board at this age. When they get a little bigger, you can upgrade to nail clippers.

Soothing

When your little one transitions to the big, wide world outside of your womb, it’s not always an easy adjustment. While in your uterus, Baby is snuggled up and cozy. Out in the real world, it’s just not the same. Engaging in skin-to-skin contact – where you keep your naked baby against your bare chest — is great for you and baby. (If you have a partner, they can do this with your little one too!)

It’s also helpful to do things that will help recreate all the familiar, cozy comforts of the womb, like baby wearing, swaying or rocking, dim lighting and shushing. You’ll have to experiment with what works best for your Baby. They might also quickly establish some preferences – you might find that they love to be sung to, be in a baby swing, be held upright, or have you carry them. At other times, Baby might need one thing in one moment and then something different in the next.

So if they get fussy, try all the greatest hits first: Are they hungry? Do they have a dirty diaper? Are they tired? Too hot or cold? Want to snuggle on your chest? Need a change in position or a change of pace?

And remember, even if you run through all of the above — clean diapers? Check. Milk? Check. Swaddle and a song? Check. Sometimes, you might not be able to tell exactly what is bothering Baby. Try your best to soothe them, and even if they continue to cry, they’ll know that you love them and will always be there to comfort them, which is immensely good for Baby’s development.

Some parents find it challenging in the early days because what worked yesterday to help Baby doesn’t work today. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, it’s always okay to give Baby to a family member to try to soothe them while you regroup. If you’re alone – it’s also okay to place Baby in a safe location, like their bassinet, while you take a few moments to breathe. 

Sleep

Newborns sleep a ton — usually for about 16 hours or so a day — but it’s usually broken up into very short and irregular chunks. Again, just like all of their other adorable parts, Baby’s stomach is itty bitty at this point, so they’ll wake hungry and want to feed very often. In these early days and nights, it won’t be unlikely for Baby to sleep for about two hours, wake to feed, and then repeat the cycle.

There’s really no way they can be convinced to operate on a different schedule at this point. So feed the Baby whenever they are hungry and—hard as the advice may be—try your hardest to sleep or rest when they sleep. Even if you happen to be the sort of parent who is running on some powerful new parent vibes immediately after the baby is born, after a few days, you may feel the exhaustion that comes with that lack of sleep.

This newborn care might be basic, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Plus, you’ll still be recovering from labor and birth, will be going without long stretches of sleep (as if you need to be reminded), and may occasionally want to feed yourself or shower.

Joking aside, you’ll definitely want to sleep, eat, and care for yourself as much as possible because it will allow you to enjoy these moments of being with your new and growing family. So this is not the time to go it alone. This is, indeed, just the right time to ask for help. If you have a partner, hopefully they are stepping up and responding to your cues and needs. If not, communication can be key to get your rest and needs met.I

It’s also a great time to have family and friends help out — do some laundry, cook some meals, help care for your little one and any other kiddos or pets, and maybe let you squeeze in a nap or two if you can. Again, the early days of caring for a newborn will be a pretty intense period, but it won’t last forever. You’ve got this!

Read more

• How much does it cost to have a baby?
• Welcoming a new baby, and the emotions that come with it

Sources

• Kelly Bonyata. “Breastfeeding your newborn – what to expect in the early weeks.” Kelly Mom. KellyMom.com, May 3, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://kellymom.com/hot-topics/newborn-nursing/.
• Jay L. Hoecker. “I’m breast-feeding my newborn and her bowel movements are yellow and mushy. Is this normal for baby poop?” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, February 19, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-poop/faq-20057971.
• Elizabeth LaFleur. “Should I wake my newborn for feedings?” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, April 28, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/newborn/faq-20057752.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Baby bath basics: A parent’s guide.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, October 25, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20044438.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Baby sleep: Helping baby sleep through the night.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, November 23, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/baby-sleep/art-20045014.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Breast-feeding tips: What new moms need to know.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, November 23, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breast-feeding/art-20047138.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Crying baby: How to keep your cool.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, October 2, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/crying-baby/art-20046995.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Crying baby: What to do when your newborn cries.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20043859.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Feeding your newborn: Tips for new parents.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, April 17, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20047741?pg=1.
• “Baby’s first days: Bowel movements & urination.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, August 1, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Babys-First-Days-Bowel-Movements-and-Urination.aspx.
• “Bathing your newborn.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 2, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Bathing-Your-Newborn.aspx.
• “How often and how much should your baby eat?” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 21, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/How-Often-and-How-Much-Should-Your-Baby-Eat.aspx.
• “How to calm a fussy baby: Tips for parents & caregivers.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, July 18, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/Pages/Calming-A-Fussy-Baby.aspx
• “Making sure your baby is getting enough milk.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 21, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Making-Sure-Your-Baby-is-Getting-Enough-Milk.aspx
• “Nail care: Fingers and toes.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 2, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Nail-Care-Fingers-and-Toes.aspx.
• “Responding to your baby’s cries.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 21, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/Pages/Responding-to-Your-Babys-Cries.aspx.
• “Skin-to-Skin Contact for You & Baby.” Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic, March 10, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/skin-to-skin-contact-for-you-and-your-baby.
• “Slide show: How to swaddle a baby.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, August 29, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/multimedia/how-to-swaddle-a-baby/sls-20076006?s=1.
• “Swaddling: Is it safe?” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, January 12, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Swaddling-Is-it-Safe.aspx.
• “Umbilical cord care.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 2, 2009. Retrieved September 8 2017. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Umbilical-Cord-Care.aspx.

Signs your baby is hungry

Even before your little one can talk, they’ll communicate a lot. Signs of hunger follow some pretty clear patterns for babies, ranging from early signs of hunger (when your little one may still be in a good mood) to active signs of hunger (when they’ll be working even harder to get your attention) to late signs of hunger (when they’ll be feeling more desperate to let you know that they are really, really hungry).  

Early signs of hunger include:

• smacking lips, licking lips, or making sucking sounds with lips and mouth
• opening and closing mouth or sticking out tongue
• bringing fists to mouth
• sucking on fingers, hands, feet, clothing, toys, or anything nearby (especially as a newborn)

It’s often easier to feed your baby during this early stage because even though they’re hungry, they’re also still feeling calm. And making time for skin to skin contact (where you hold your baby, just dressed in their diaper, against your bare chest) with your newborn, and then onward in the first few months of your baby’s life, can help you notice these signs early. When your baby is on your chest in this way, it’s a lot easier to catch these early hunger signs and even active hunger signs.  

Active signs of hunger include:

• “rooting” or turning head and opening mouth when something brushes their cheek, essentially searching for breast or bottle with their mouth (especially as a newborn)
• trying to get ready to feed, by laying back or pulling at your clothes
• fidgeting and squirming 
• hitting you on chest or arms repeatedly
• breathing fast
• fussing

During this stage of hunger your little one is starting to become more actively hungry, and they may become more worked up and agitated as they get hungrier. 

Late signs of hunger include:

• crying
• moving head from side to side 
• acting frantic

When your baby is at this stage, they’re definitely doing all that they can to communicate that they’re hungry and not happy about it. If your child is in this later stage of hunger, sometimes they can be so worked up it can be hard to get them to settle down enough to feed easily. So do what you can to try and calm your baby first. Once they feel soothed and a bit calmer, they’ll likely be able to feed more easily. 

Why it’s so important to respond to your baby’s hunger cues

Certainly, once in a while you won’t be able to feed Baby quickly enough and they’ll move into full blown frantic crying mode. But it’s important to do what you can to respond to your baby’s hunger cues as early as possible. When you do your best to be responsive, and respond to your little one’s hunger cues with warmth and affection, it’s called “responsive feeding.” Responsive feeding helps lay the groundwork early for your child to develop healthy eating habits — including recognizing signs of being hungry and being full — and eventually feeding themself in a healthy way. Responding and being receptive also encourages bonding and helps your child feel secure — think about how good you feel when you clearly communicate something you need and then have your needs met promptly! Fewer tears makes for a more enjoyable mealtime for both you and your baby.

Signs your baby is full

And once Baby is happy and eating away, it’s also important to recognize when they’ve had enough. Some signs that your baby is full include: 

• releasing breast or bottle from their mouth; letting breast or bottle drop away from their mouth; spitting out breast or bottle
• starting and stopping feeding often or unlatch from the breast often
• pulling away or turning head away from the breast or bottle 
• closing mouth
• relaxing their body
• relaxing hands and opening up their fists
• getting distracted or fidgeting
• slowing down their feeding
• falling asleep 

You’ll be a pro in no time 

Just like any other part of parenting, it can take a little while to learn all these signs. But soon enough, recognizing all your little one’s signs will feel like second nature. You’ve got this!

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• An intro to breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding benefits for you and your baby

Sources

• “Signs Your Child is Hungry or Full.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, October 1 2019. Retrieved July 13 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/mealtime/signs-your-child-is-hungry-or-full.html.
• Kelly Bonyata. “Hunger Cues – When do I feed baby?” Kelly Mom. KellyMom.com, January 15 2018. Retrieved July 13 2020. https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/hunger-cues/.
• “Is Your Baby Hungry or Full? Responsive Feeding Explained.” healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, September 1 2017. Retrieved July 13 2020. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Is-Your-Baby-Hungry-or-Full-Responsive-Feeding-Explained.aspx.
• “Signs Your Child is Hungry or Full.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, October 1 2019. Retrieved July 13 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/mealtime/signs-your-child-is-hungry-or-full.html.  

• Home improvement: Creating a safe and welcoming space for a new baby means changing and reimagining your home. You might need to turn a room, such as a home office, into a nursery or rearrange the space you have to make room for your growing family. Some changes can be simple and easy, like installing basic safety equipment such as outlet covers, cabinet latches, and baby gates. However, other changes may require you to invest some of your budget to ensure your little one has a comfortable, cozy, safe space.
• Medical expenses: Be sure to check with your insurance provider to see what your plan covers for both your birth and your baby’s first year. Although preventative care for babies is usually covered (things like well visits and vaccines), costs for sick visits can really add up, and children usually have their own deductible.
• Unpaid leave: You might transition into a single-income family after delivery, depending on where you live, your company’s policy and your own comfort with taking time off. You may be surprised to find benefits only cover a small percentage of your typical income or that you have more paid options than you expected! Explore all of your choices for medical leave, any state-sponsored benefits, use of vacation time and unpaid options. This allows you to plan ahead and save.
• Feeding expenses: You’d think breastfeeding would be the one free item on Baby’s list of needs, but your time is worth money! And if you’re not around to nurse, you’ll need a breast pump, bottles, milk storage bags, and/or formula.
• Childcare: If you go back to work or just want a one-on-one date night with your partner, you’ll probably need to pay a babysitter or childcare program to watch after your little one. Do you know what the going rate is in your area? Don’t get caught imagining it’s what your neighbor pays her daycare or the same as when you babysat in high school. This will be an ongoing expense that requires some serious budgeting.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Packing a delivery bag
• Baby care in the first week: the (not so) basics

Leaving the hospital

When leaving the hospital, you’ll want to make sure that Baby is dressed comfortably, so while cute matters for those keepsake photos of you leaving the hospital, it’s most important to make sure that they are dressed properly for the temperature. Babies should only wear one layer under their car seat straps, so be prepared with a way to keep Baby snug and warm if it’s chilly out. 

You should also be sure you’re confident in any specific information your healthcare provider gave you about Baby. If you want written instructions, it’s always okay to ask for those. It’s tough to remember it all in these moments! Most birthing parents are not able to transport themselves home alone, so make sure your partner or other support is there to help you on this exciting day.

Baby‘s room

It probably goes without saying, but you’ll want to make sure that Baby has a cozy place to sleep. This can be a crib, bassinet or other safe and separate surface. This sleep space may be in your room to start, as having your baby in your room is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. A changing table, a space to keep their clothes, a nursery light, and a rocker or glider are all great parts of a nursery, too.

Car seat

Because you won’t be able to carry Baby around in your womb forever, you’ll need a car seat for them to ride in. Car seats for newborns should always be rear-facing and always situated in the back seat, the safest place for the Baby. When installing a car seat, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the seat is installed properly. You can search for a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) near you to help you with the perfect installation.

Baby-proofing

Before you bring Baby home, you’ll want to make sure that your home is as baby-safe as possible. It may feel early to take care of these items before Baby is mobile, but it never hurts to get a head start. This may mean buying covers for your power outlets, cushioning any sharp corners, and finding a safe way to manage the behavior of any large, curious or excitable excitable pets. Don’t forget some general safety for the home, like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Car seat safety
• Lanugo: baby’s monkey hair

Sources

• “New car seat research shows rear-facing longer is better.” ConsumerReports.org. Consumer Reports, 6/9/2015. Web.

Insurance

New parents should explore, what, if any, changes you’ll need to make to any insurance coverage you have. Though Baby won’t need any car insurance yet, they will certainly need health insurance, so make sure that you plan is all set to add them to the fold.

Childcare

Not all new parents have the luxury of staying home and watching baby, and childcare can be extremely expensive, so it’s important to figure out your plan ahead of time. Quality childcare is essential for Baby’s safety and development, so you definitely want to delve deeply into your options.

Saving

Saving money is less important when you’re living the baby-free life, but parents are under a much greater need to save money for Baby’s future, so you should make sure that you have some sort of plan set up to accumulate wealth for them.

The bottom line

Babies cost a ton of money, and they’ll only get more expensive as they get older, so figuring out your finances in advance is crucial for the most effective life-planning possible.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Unexpected costs of having a baby
• Finances of having a baby

• First breath: When Baby cries for the first time, they is also taking in their first breath. A doctor or nurse will suction around the mouth and nose so that there is no respiratory obstruction.
• Skin-to-skin contact: After birth, Baby will be placed on your body and covered with a blanket to get warm and start bonding! These sweet snuggles will help your little one regulate their body temperature and promote breastfeeding success. However, if they is born prematurely or in respiratory distress, they will be rushed to the NICU to be examined further.
• Physical evaluation: One minute and five minutes after birth, a nurse will give Baby an Apgar score, which assesses activity, appearance, reflexes, respiration, and circulation. If there are no red flags, they will soon also be weighed and measured.
• Cutting the cord: Shortly after birth, it’s time to cut the umbilical cord. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends delaying cord-clamping for at least 30 to 60 seconds after birth, and some families prefer to wait even longer – until after the cord has stopped pulsing – which is sometimes as much as three minutes. If that’s something you’re interested in, it can be helpful to talk to your healthcare provider about it ahead of time. Cord cutting is often done by the baby’s parent (if that’s something you’re interested in) once the healthcare provider has clamped it in two places. And cord blood may be taken if your healthcare provider needs it for further testing or if you have chosen to donate it to a blood bank.
• Vitamin K shot and antibiotics: An injection of vitamin K assists with blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding, especially in the brain, and a nurse will also likely give Baby antibiotic eye drops to prevent eye infection. These steps do not need to happen immediately after birth, and they can take place after Baby has been snuggling with you for some time. 
• Baby’s first outfit: After the initial testing, they will get a diaper, beanie, and blanket – they’s ready to be held, breastfeed, and loved!

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Apgar score: what it is and how to interpret it
• Feeding your newborn: baby’s got to eat

Sources

• “Apgar score.” MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 5/3/2016. Web.
• “What happens straight after birth.” NHSDirect Wales. NHSDirect Wales, n.d. Web.

• Is my pet neutered or spayed? Dogs and cats that lack an endgame in their humping are much less likely to be hyperactive and jumpy, both of which are risky pet personalities to have around Baby.
• Has my pet been checked out by a vet? It’s always good to get your pet evaluated at the vet’s office before Baby arrives, just to make sure that your best animal buddy doesn’t have a disease or condition that could put Baby at risk.
• Is my pet ready for Baby? Setting up Baby’s crib, and playing crying sounds before they is even born is a great way to get your pet used to the new environment that he or she must pet it up in, as the last thing you’d want is your cat or dog to freak out when Baby arrives.
• Are my pets nails too sharp? If your dog or cat is a jumper with sharp nails, Baby might be on the receiving end of a nasty scratch. Even pets need manicures sometimes!

The bottom line

Everybody is close to their pets, but Baby’s needs definitely supersede your dog or cat’s. So while it’s unlikely that any drastic changes need to be made, these questions can help ensure a great first meeting and keep your child safe. So make sure your pet’s veterinary needs are up to date, their nails are freshly filed, and that you’ve already started to acclimate them to all things baby – minus Baby, of course – before the big meeting. And then take, well, baby steps as you make the introduction. Your little loves should be getting along in no time. But remember, even the best-behaved pets shouldn’t be left alone with babies, and your furry friend shouldn’t snuggle up for sleep with your little one, no matter how cute they look all cuddled up together! 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Helping baby play nice with pets
• Baby care in the first week: the (not so) basics

• Diapers and formula: These are items that your baby won’t always need, but if one or both of theses items is regularly on your shopping list, costs do add up. Be sure to add any regular expenses like these into your budget, at least until your little one is only eating solids (soon) and potty trained (not soon enough).
• Food: As your little one grows, so will their appetite, and if you’d don’t notice it sooner, you’ll definitely notice a change in your grocery spending by the time they hit the toddler phase.
• Childcare: If you haven’t been thinking about this yet, you should do so now. For many families, childcare is a very large expense and this is one of the most major ways in which their spending patterns will change. Here’s a breakdown of average childcare costs by state from the Economic Policy Institute to get a better sense of what you should plan for in your budget. 
• Convenience items: Takeout when you’re too tired to cook, groceries delivered to the house when your little one has a stomach bug and the fridge is empty, a cleaner once a month if you just can’t get to housework like you used to. These sort of things can make a big difference if you’re in a pinch, but they do add up. 
• Necessities as baby grows: As your little one grows, they’ll need new clothes, shoes, outerwear and the like. You’ll probably also want to occasionally buy baby items like books and toys. You already know that all of these things cost money, but you may not have factored this soon-to-be regular expense into your budget yet. 
• Household items: Before you know it, you may need to buy items for your home like gates for babyproofing or a big kid bed when your little on outgrows their first sleep setup. 
• Gear as baby grows: This can include items such as a larger car seat or a booster seat for the dinner table.
• Classes, lessons, and extracurricular gear: Don’t forget to include costs for guitar lessons, soccer, and ballet lessons, but also gear like a guitar, shin pads for soccer, and leotards for dance.
• Utility bills: This may come as a bit of a surprise, but water, heat, and electricity bills could rise a bit once your baby is born. More laundry, leaving the heat or A/C more frequently, more time spent at home— it all adds up.
• Time off from work: Every parent’s work situation is different, and for many people taking time off from work means less earned income. Beyond any parental leave that you might take off after your baby is born, you may need and want to take time off to spend with your little one as they grow, for both fun (vacation!), somewhat fun (school vacations), and not so fun (when your little one gets sick) reasons. 
• Healthcare: For many people, adding a new dependent to their health insurance means an increase in their monthly premium, and it likely also means an increased deductible. Look into the specifics of your health plan to be sure. And having one more person in the family means, of course, added costs for provider appointments or ER visits, prescriptions or over the counter medications, medical supplies and the like. 
• Life insurance: This is an expense a lot of parents find worth it to have an added sense of security about their family’s future.
• Housing: Hopefully you are plenty comfortable where you are right now. But it’s not uncommon for new parents to decide they need a little more space as their family grows.
• Other lifestyle changes: It’s hard to know what the future will hold, but will you want to take your little one to concerts? Decide to take up fishing as a family? Go to the local amusement park in the summer? Take a different sort of vacation? These changes might shape your expenses too. 
• College or technical school: For parents who have their own student debt, it might be wild to start thinking about your own child’s education this far down the line, but it is something you may want to plan for if you do have the means. 

Some of the items on this list are things you might want to start budgeting for now, and some are items you just might want to be aware of as an expense that could be coming in the future. Consider also that your family’s needs will change over time; some costs won’t last forever (like diapers, thank goodness) and new costs will spring up (like piano lessons or a prom dress). It’s very easy for money to be a source of stress— so if reading a list like feels rather unfun, we really feel you— but knowledge is power, and being aware of the ways in which your expenses could change should ultimately be empowering so you can take the action you need to feel secure in how you’re spending your money. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Unexpected costs of having a baby
• Registry checklist: Just what do you need?

When you’re pregnant

It can take some partners a little while to adjust to being a pre-parent, so it’s good to let them know what’s going on inside your body – bringing them to healthcare provider appointments and ultrasounds can be a great way for your partner to accept their new role, and bond with their growing baby.

Your partner should also know what to expect in terms of your symptoms, and the assistant’s role they may need to play when you’re uncomfortable, or cranky, or craving a food native to a remote South Pacific island. You should avoid treating them like a servant, but they’re there if you need them.

Labor and delivery

Preparing your partner for delivery can be tough – it is a pretty unique scenario, after all – but it’s important that they know what to expect before it’s go time. Try some of these strategies to get them more confident in their ability to not faint in the delivery room:

• Bring your partner to birthing classes: Attending childbirth classes will help your partner grow more accustomed to what happens during labor and delivery, and will make them a stronger source of support for you while you’re pushing baby out.
• Show them a birth video: Making your partner watch a birth video is a good way to prepare them for what’s to come during labor and delivery. This is a good way to desensitize them before the time arrives, particularly if they’re a bit squeamish.
• Make them read everything: The more your partner knows, the better. There are plenty of books out there for expectant parents to help them prepare for labor, and then Baby.

Once Baby is born

New non-birthing parents may often be unprepared, both physically and mentally, for Baby’s arrival, so the more you can do to help them get ready, the better. Among other life changes, you should make sure your partner can expect the following:

• Changing diapers: Although the idea of cleaning somebody else’s poopy butt doesn’t sound too appealing at the onset, only a parent can understand that changing your own kid’s diaper is simply not a big deal – Baby is a part of you, and so is their poop!
• Midnight walks: Newborn babies quite often do a little more crying, and a little less sleeping than you’d like, which often paves the road for long nights and early mornings spent rocking them to sleep – you should let them know ahead of time that they won’t be able to sleep the day away anymore!
• “Not tonight, friends”: Even if your partner works during the day, their full-time job is about to be parent, and parents frankly don’t have as much time to pal around with their friends as they used to. Make sure they know that Baby is as much their responsibility as yours, and their social life may have to go on a brief hiatus.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Prepare finances for parenthood: new baby, new expenses
• Getting the help you really need from extended family during the postpartum period