Surviving Your Newborn

One of the most memorable events in a parent's life is the day they bring their newborn home. After the oohs and coos are complete and your beautiful angel is carefully swaddled in a new blanket, you're ready to settle in to a life of bliss. It's only then that you realize that the quiet, sleeping bundle of joy that you brought from the hospital has magically transformed into a wailing, sucking, pooping (and did I mention wailing?) machine. Birth is hard on a baby, so they spend the first couple of days sleeping it off. About the time you bring them home, they are rested and ready to let you know just how unhappy they are with the world. Here are some tips to help you survive those first couple of weeks with your newborn.

Don't Be Quiet: I know it's hard not to whisper when a baby is sleeping, but honestly, they are used to the noise. The womb is full of loud sounds--the thumping of your heart, the swooshing of your blood. Because of this, familiar noises (especially constant ones, or noises that repeat) may be comforting to your newborn. The Graco Sound Machine is definitely one to add to your list of baby must-haves. Aside from the basic sounds (heartbeat/womb, crickets, ocean, white noise), it plays classical and lullaby music and comes equipped with a plug-in port for your MP3 player. It also has a built-in night light and a timer. It retails for $39.99 at Target, and it very well may be the best forty bucks you've ever spent. Running water, a fan, or even just making a loud "shh" sound when you're rocking them (obviously not an all-night option) also work well.

Infant Massage: The methods to this type of massage are easy to learn and have multiple benefits for your baby. Not only does it reduce stress and colic in a newborn, helping to calm him or her, it also improves circulation and immune system function and provides a great opportunity to bond with your baby. Many places, including hospitals, offer courses on infant massage, or you can learn the various techniques through instructional videos or on-line.

Skin to Skin Contact: Another great way to calm your baby is the skin-to-skin method. Undress your baby down to a diaper, unbutton your shirt and place the baby against your bare chest. Cover both of you with a blanket, sit back and relax. Studies have shown that this close contact of a newborn with their mother reduces stress, increases oxytocin levels in both parties, and even helps with breastfeeding.

Take Advantage: This is one of the few times when it is truly okay to take advantage of people. People love babies, and they love to help moms who have babies. When someone offers to sit with the baby while you nap, to bring you dinner, even to vacuum your carpet, just say yes. After my first baby was born, a friend came over and cleaned my shower. It may seem silly, but that was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, before or since.

Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, babies just cry. My grandmother used to say it's how they clean out their lungs. Whatever the reason, if your baby has eaten, has a dry diaper, and doesn't show any signs or symptoms of illness, their crying may wear on you, but chances are they are fine. So take a breather, take a shower, and before you know it you and your newborn will have a routine that is easier on both of you.