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A new bundle of joy! Now what?

Nothing in life is as miraculous, or as overwhelming, as a new baby. Make the transition home easy and comfortable, both for your little one and yourself, by knowing how to:

Buy the supplies you need and babyproof your home in advance
Feed, breastfeed, bathe, dress, change, and hold your baby
Address common infant health issues and recognize more serious ones

Before Your Baby Is Born

Before your baby is born, you’ll need to make some important decisions about providing care, including whether to breastfeed, which type of diapers to use, what doctor to see, and, for boys, whether to circumcise.

Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding

The table below lists the basic advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding and bottle feeding.

Breastfeeding
Advantages		Disadvantages
Improves brain and mouth development; decreases likelihood of asthma, allergies, obesity, diabetes, ear infections, SIDS, constipation, gas, and other childhood and adult diseases Costs less than bottle feeding No bottle preparation or cleaning		Can be challenging and uncomfortable for the mother, especially at first A small number of mothers who are ill or taking medication may be unable to breastfeed
Bottle Feeding
Advantages		Disadvantages
Allows the mother a more flexible schedule by allowing others to help in feeding Does not depend on mother’s medical condition		Not as healthy; formula lacks acids and antibodies that breast milk contains More expensive than breastfeeding Cleaning and sterilizing bottle-feeding equipment can be time consuming

The decision whether to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby is a personal one. Because of the health benefits breastfeeding provides, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies, with no supplementary bottle feeding, through the first six months at least.

Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers

There are dozens of brands of baby diapers on the market, but all diapers fall into one of two categories: reusable cloth diapers or disposable diapers.

Reusable Cloth Diapers
Advantages		Disadvantages
Comfortable and soft Many varieties, some as easy to fasten as disposables If available in your area, diaper services deliver fresh diapers to your door and pick up soiled diapers May be less expensive than disposables, especially if laundered at home		Less absorbent than disposables May require use of waterproof diaper pants, which can contribute to diaper rash Some cleaning services use chemicals that are bad for the environment If no diaper service is available, must be washed at home
Disposable Diapers
Advantages		Disadvantages
Highly absorbent Easy to fasten with built-in closures Easy to dispose of— can just throw them in the trash		High absorbency gives children less incentive to toilet train Absorbency leads parents to change diapers less often, causing diaper rash Not biodegradable

Though the decision of whether to use disposable or cloth diapers is up to you, be sure to make your decision before your baby is born. If you choose:

Cloth diapers: If available in your area, sign up with a diaper service a few weeks before your baby is due. Buy a few different sizes and styles to see which fits your baby best. Once you find a style that works, buy enough to last two to three days, to minimize laundry. Note that many parents who opt for cloth diapers use disposables during the night and when traveling.
Disposable diapers: Make sure to stock up on diapers before your baby is born. Some diaper companies or online grocers will deliver diapers to your house.

Selecting a Pediatrician

Select a pediatrician (a doctor who specializes in children’s healthcare) before your baby is born. Ask other parents who they recommend and speak with a few doctors before picking one. When selecting a doctor, look for:

Affiliation with a good nearby hospital
Connections with medical specialists
Board certification from the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Board of Family Practice
Similar views to yours on major issues such as breastfeeding and circumcision (see below)
Friendly office environment with helpful staff
Convenient office hours, call-in or phone hours, and on-call availability when the office is closed
Reasonable waiting times
Insurance and payment policies that suit you

An alternative to a pediatrician is a general practitioner or family doctor who sees both adults and children.

Circumcision

Whether to have your baby boy circumcised is a personal decision. Some parents circumcise their babies for religious reasons or simply to ensure that their baby conforms to societal norms—currently, about 65% of American male babies are circumcised. Other choose circumcision because they believe it can prevent infections, cancer, and STDs, though there is conflicting medical data as to whether this is true. Some parents believe that circumcision is cruel and unnecessary. No matter what you decide, discuss the issue with your pediatrician before proceeding.

Acknowledgments & Disclaimer