Your womb was a warm and cozy environment, and it takes time for your baby to adjust to the various sights, sounds, and sensations of life outside your body. You may not be able to detect much of a personality just yet as your baby spends his time moving in and out of several different states of sleepiness, quiet alertness, and active alertness.
The only way your baby knows to communicate is by crying, but you can communicate with him through your voice and your touch. He can now recognize your voice and pick it out among others.
Your baby probably loves to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. He may even make an "ah" sound when he hears your voice or sees your face, and he'll be eager to find you in a crowd.
Your life: The baby blues
It seems to make no sense: At a time when you expected to be so happy, you feel down, weepy, moody, or irritable. In fact, there are very good reasons why about half of new moms get the so-called baby blues.
During the first weeks home with a baby, sleep deprivation, recovery from childbirth, the demands of newborn care, lack of experience with babies, and not having enough help can all be highly stressful. The huge hormonal shifts that occur after you give birth can also affect your moods, especially if you have a history of severe PMS. Then factor in expectations about moms "doing it all" and new moms being "blissed out," and you have the makings of a perfect storm for mild depression.
Knowing that these feelings are normal can help. It's a good idea to confide your feelings to people you love and trust: your partner, your parents, another relative, or a close friend. Connecting with other new parents in your Birth Club or in real life can help you see that you're far from alone.
Carve out time for yourself. Let your partner or a grandparent stay with your baby while you visit a friend, go shopping, or just take a relaxing bath. Even sitting outside or taking a walk with your baby in the fresh air can be beneficial.
Leave work behind. Really! Remember this is maternity leave. Use these weeks to nurture your ties with your family.
If feelings persist for more than a couple of weeks, tell your doctor. You may have postpartum depression (PPD), a more serious condition. The causes of PPD aren't completely understood, but it's not a reflection on whether you're a "good" mom or "coping well." Symptoms of PPD include extreme anxiety, panic attacks, changes in eating habits (overeating or loss of appetite), insomnia, and thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Learn about: Reducing the risk of SIDS
What is SIDS?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sometimes called crib death, occurs when a baby under 1 year old dies suddenly and without warning, usually while asleep.
Should I worry?
Even though SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between 1 month and 1 year, it's still rare. SIDS claims about 1,500 victims a year in the United States. SIDS most commonly affects babies between the ages of 1 and 4 months; 90 percent of cases involve infants younger than 6 months.
How can I reduce my baby's risk?
Always put your baby to sleep on her back – not on her tummy or side. Since pediatricians and SIDS researchers began recommending this practice in 1994, the rate of SIDS deaths has dropped an astounding 50 percent.
Sleep in the same room as your baby, but not in the same bed. (Instead, use a co-sleeper or move your baby’s crib, bassinet, or play yard next to your bed.)
Don't let your baby sleep with loose bedding, pillows, soft toys, or crib bumpers, which can unexpectedly cover your baby's mouth and affect her breathing. Put your baby to sleep on a firm, flat mattress with no pillow or toys and nothing but a fitted sheet under her. (It's okay to put a thin, tight-fitting mattress pad under the sheet to protect against diaper leaks.)
Don't overdress your baby at bedtime – put her in no more than one layer more than an adult would need to be comfortable. If you think your baby is chilly, dress her in warmer clothing such as footed pajamas or a cotton one-piece under a wearable blanket or sleep sack– a sleeveless garment that's closed along the bottom like a bag.
Never smoke around your baby and keep her away from those who do. Breastfeed your baby if you can, and try giving her a pacifier when you put her down to sleep.
source: http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-2-week-old_1132.bc
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