Like, for starters, did you know that newborns do not have bottom eyelashes? They won't for the first month, maybe longer. And they have skin flaps in their noses that they use to close to keep stuff out because they do not have nose hair. I found it odd that some family members that came to visit didn't know this. And they have kids. Maybe they forgot?
Babies hands get cold. It does not mean that they are cold. Blood flow to their hands and feet is slow in the beginning and gets better in time. Usually a few months. So, when they wake up and they are in a full length, long sleeve onsie and a long sleeve blanket sleeper and the house is set to 68 degrees (which is ideal for newborns and infants, did you know that?), yet their hands are ice cold.... it is normal. You are not doing anything wrong and they are not cold. You are doing great mom, keep it up. And do not put hats or gloves on them while they are sleeping. They can suffocate themselves and it is not necessary. They actually release heat through their heads so it help them regulate their body temperature and reduce a risk of SIDS.
Babies move and make noise while they sleep. This, I did not know. It kept me awake and I kept checking on her. They will suddenly straighten out their arms and legs and make a little noise. I called her spastic, but apparently it is normal. And a good sign that they can hear and are aware of their new surroundings. They are not awake, or waking up. And it may take some getting used to, especially if they sleep in the same room as you, but you will soon be able to block it out. Don't worry, when they wake up, you will wake up. They will make sure of it.
You cannot overfeed a baby. They eat when they want and how much they want. When their stomach is full, they will spit up. If they spit up a lot, they may actually want a little more. But, they will not eat more than they can take. So even if your LO is having more than anyone says they "should", don't worry about it and feed them what they want. They are growing, and fast. They may need more, or less, during a growth spurt and then change again. There is no exact amount for every baby.
Baby poop from EBF babies looks like diarrhea. All the time. It is very liquidy and somewhere between yellow and brown. It is supposed to look like seeded mustard, but doesn't always. Especially if you occasionally supplement with formula (like we do as I try to build up my supply for my ever growing and feeding baby). They are not sick and do not have an upset tummy. If they are formula fed, it may look thicker, and smell more. Apparently EBF babies have better smelling poop. Sorry, lol.
Babies, especially EBF babies get calluses on their lips. They may be more predominant right after a feeding. They will look like white bumps on their lips. Sometimes their entire top, bottom, or both lips will look completely white. This is normal, and good. It help them to latch and keep a good latch while feeding. It will go away on it's own, in time.
Babies will shed their skin. Well, everyone does. You do more regularly that you realize. As they grow, it will peel and flake off. Give them a bath once or twice a week, even up to three if you feel you need to. Use warm water and a little bit of mild soap, but don't scrub. Let it fall off in it's own time. It is not good to rush the process, it can cause skin irritation. You will see it most around 3-4 weeks. They may also get a significant amount of baby acne at this time as well. It is completely normal (so if you plan on taking newborn photos, you should make sure to get them done before this time, otherwise you may have to wait until they are over a month old.... a little late for newborn photos).
Newborns have stuffy noses. Since they breathe trough their noses, you may hear it often. Especially when they sleep. A humidifier in their room will help to clear it out. You will also hear them sneeze often. It is normal and good, not a sign of a cold or allergies. Try to keep an eye out for boogies in the nose. They may need your help getting them out sometimes. Especially the big ones.
Tummy time can be started after the belly button falls out. This is also when you can give the first bath. This usually happens at about 2 weeks. If it happens earlier, check with your pediatrician before starting both of these things. In my case, hers fell out at 5 days, but was still oozing and bleeding a little. We had to clean it twice a day with alcohol to keep it clean and help it dry out. At our 2 week pediatrician appointment, we got the ok to go ahead. Now, "tummy time" at this age does not mean put them directly on the floor and see how they do. And it does NOT mean take your eyes off them for any length of time. It is more of an assisted tummy time. You can put them on your chest and make sure their head is either up or to the side at all times. It helps a little if you put their hands together, though this will also probably lead to them sucking on their hands. As long as their face is not buried in your chest and you can see their nose and mouth at all times, you can do this as long as they will let you (meaning until they cry or cannot hold their head up any longer), usually about 2-5 minutes. You can also use a Boppy pillow, if you have one, but be extra careful, as they can suffocate in the pillow if they slide down too far or put their face down on the pillow. You also have to make sure that they are flat with their legs out and not in a "sitting" position. Until they are about 3 months old and can hold their head up by themselves, NEVER leave them unattended for a SECOND during tummy time. Even then, it is not a good idea. This may make you nervous to start tummy time, but don't be. Just be attentive. Tummy time is good for babies. It helps strengthen their head and neck muscles (which is good for when they sleep and need to move their head, like when they spit up, and help them roll over and be able to pick up their head when they roll over) and it also helps to prevent flat head (which happens when they spend too much time in things like a swing, rocker, car seat or anything else that is angled that they spend a lot of time in).
Don't worry Mama (Dad, Grandma, Grandpa or anyone else reading this)! You are doing great. Learn things you didn't know? Even better! I am just trying to help make things easier for you. Any more tips or advice? Questions? Leave it below!
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