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Baby Care Basics:
5 Must-Know Tips for That First Week Home

1. Baby wipes
Most docs recommend avoiding premoistened diaper wipes for the first month of baby's life since some of their chemicals can irritate a newborn's tender skin. Instead, use cotton balls dipped in warm water. When baby’s ready for regular wipes, choose ones that are alcohol-free and unscented to prevent irritation.

2. Bath time
Until baby’s umbilical cord is off and healed, baby can only take sponge baths. Start by soaking your baby a little. Make sure to always keep one hand on baby, and remember that infants are especially slippery when wet. Start with his face–one area at a time since covering the whole face with a washcloth can be scary -- and work your way down. Make sure to thoroughly wash inside all the folds (under the arms, in the neck, the genital area, etc.) and save baby’s dirtiest parts -- aka the diaper area -- for last. Then, move back up and wash baby’s hair. And note: There’s no need to bathe more than every few days.

3. Newborn skin
At birth, baby's skin will probably appear to be dry. How come? It’s in the process of peeling off an entire waterproof layer of sorts. But in general, a baby's skin doesn’t need much specialized care -- just lots of TLC. A mild cleanser is safe, though many people recommend just plain water. Your baby's face takes a lot of abuse (just think of all that spitting!), so do your best to keep it clean. But if baby's skin seems excessively dry, irritated or itchy, or if you notice a rash or breakout, consult your pediatrician ASAP.

4. The umbilical cord get sucked into registering for cute toys or outfits Umbilical cord care has changed dramatically over the last 20 years; now, many hospitals recommend doing nothing but keeping the cord dry (read: sponge baths only). But some pediatricians still recommend using alcohol on the cord with each diaper change to speed up the healing process. That way you’ll be able to give your baby real baths, as opposed to sponge baths, sooner. So find out what your doctor recommends.

5. Fingernails and toenails
The safest way to keep a newborn’s nails short is to just file them and not cut them at all. Since the skin of the fingers is usually attached to the back of the nail, cutting the nails often results in nipping the fingertip too (ouch!). Even though the bleeding is minor and can be stopped quickly with a little pressure, it's very upsetting to the parent -- and always seems like a lot more blood than it really is! Once baby is a little older (18 months), you can cut their nails while they’re asleep.

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Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

I read to my baby as much as I can, but I'm getting a little bored with our book selection. Any recommendations for something a little different?

Re: I read to my baby as much as I can, but I'm getting a little bored with our book selection. Any recommendations for something a little different?

The Bump Expert

OK, let's be honest... how many of you are sick of reading "Goodnight Moon" for the 800th time? We all know how important it is to read to our babies, but If you are like me and your child is still too young to understand,why not get some baby books that will give mom a giggle for a change? Here are some of my favorites:

"Baby Mix Me a Drink" by Lisa Brown
In this simple board book, baby mixes cocktails for mommy, daddy, grandma,and a few others. The drawings are cute and very colorful! Other books in this series are called, "Baby Make Me Breakfast" and "Baby Do My Banking." Hilarious!

"Urban Babies Wear Black" by Michelle Sinclair Colman
Any mom who has lived in a big city will adore this book in which a social,urban baby goes to the museum, out for latte and to yoga class. The whimsical illustrations are fantastic!

"First Book of Sushi" by Amy Wilson Sanger
This book is great way to introduce your baby to Japanese cuisine and the funny-sounding words that come along with it, like wasabi, tekka, maki and tofu. The illustrations do a great job of showing the texture ofthe food, while still looking fun and child-like.

These also make great novelty gifts for newly-pregnant friends. What are some of your favorite non-traditional baby books?

--Lori Richmond

| July 17 , 2009 12:53 PM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

Try going to Costco. Their book selection changes quite regularly and they often have classic baby books mixed in with newer stories. Good luck!

je_ruth | May 30 , 2010 2:14 AM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

I certainly recommend looking at any of the books by Barefoot Books. The quality of the books are phenominal and the are so unique and grabby. My three children (even at 3 mos) love these stories and there are selections for every age, gender, interests, etc. Certainly give it a chance. Check them out and place your order here..... http://jacci-bergstrom.barefootbooks.com If you have any questions, feel free to contact me! I assure you will love these products!

ddkmom | August 02 , 2010 4:47 PM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

My daughter is almost 1, but she has loved the 10 little ladybugs and 8 silly monkeys for the last few months!

Poopsie2101 | December 28 , 2010 8:25 AM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

Hi , you can try this book -Clare Beaton’s Action Rhymes (Small children love to act out simple rhymes! This collection features classic favorites like Incy Wincy Spider, Pat-a-Cake and One Potato, Two Potato in a sturdy board book format that is ideal for sharing with babies and toddlers.) For babies to 4 years Illustrated By: Clare Beaton You can also check my link http://Kheya-Debmukherjee.barefootbooks.com/ Here you can find a wide varieties of book and podcasts. Regards (Mom of a 2 yrs old girl)

pantua | March 09 , 2011 12:38 AM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

we go to the library and pick 5 new books every week. i choose board books with few words on each page so my 10 month old girl will stay interested. its a great way to get out of the house and have a new selection of books every week. a lot of libraries offer "story time" for small children too.

mrothones | March 31 , 2011 12:37 PM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

My 9 month old loves Brown Bear, Borwn Bear What do you See by Eric Carle.....we read it at least 5 times in a row.

steckie | April 04 , 2011 12:14 PM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

When I was pregnanat with myson, I read Beautiful Brown Eyes by Marianne Richmond. He would listen attentively as I read it to him at 3 months as well as I Love You So Much (same author). He's 11 months and tries to turn the pages of the board books I now get for him. He enjoys Please Baby Please by Spike Lee and Tanya lewis Lee. He also loves Cookie Kisses (Sesame Street Beginnings, The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone and Furry Faces - Cookie Monster! by Emma Jones.

BKMom2B | April 06 , 2011 1:01 PM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

With three toddlers age 3 and under, we read a lot of kids books. They have to be fun for the kids, and enjoyable for me too. So I started a blog to keep track of the ones we loved (and call out the ones we hated!). With new book reviews posted almost daily, you are sure to find some you like. :-) www.beautifulbooksforchildren.com

BeautifulBooks | May 18 , 2011 10:19 AM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

My little Giavonna loves "Little Mommy" from Golden Books and "Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day". She is only 7 1/2 months old but these are books I read her every night before I went to bed the whole time I was pregnant. When she hears the story starting she pulls the blanket up to her face and knows it is time to go to sleep. It is so nice for both of us to be able to cuddle at the end of a hard day with a familiar book. I had read both of these books so much while I was pregnant that I had them memorized by the time she was born so I told her the stories from the very beginning everytime I would nurse her. Another of our favorites is "Chicken Soup with Rice" by Maurice Sendak.

punkyboosmommy | June 10 , 2011 12:50 PM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

When I was pregnant I used to read French children books out loud as I really wanted to polish the little French I knew from high school. I'm sure my baby couldn't realize the language difference but I really liked how the words sounded and I'm sure my baby liked that sound as well. I can't remember the titles though as I found some sites that sell books and I sold my collection when my child grew up. I do remember there was one with "Pere Noel" (that's Santa Claus) that I really liked.

johannabartley | August 22 , 2011 8:18 AM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

Brown Bear, Brown Bear; Baby Bear, Baby Bear; The Going to Bed Book; Goodnight Moon; Guess How Much I Love You; Snowmen at Night; Are You my Mother? These are a few my 11 month old loves!

babyblue211281@aol.com | August 31 , 2011 11:08 AM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

I've found a little booklet printing by Printlion.com called The Little Prince. It's a great book to read to your children around the age of six. The storyline is captivating and it introduces your children into a magical and adventurous world. My kids loved it and are asking me to read it to them again.

AidanWystan | September 12 , 2011 8:58 AM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

My 11 month old likes any stories as long as it is only 1 or 2 pages long. She also loves turning pages so we choose board books. She also like the books with different textures that she can feel. Try ebay for some great selections. Thats where we get alot of ours.

babygirl31706 | January 01 , 2012 11:50 AM

Q&A: Fun books to read to baby?

Any good books for a deployed father to read to his newborn baby? My husband is deploying to Qatar 2 weeks before my due date and will return when our baby girl is 6 months old. Any ideas for books he can record on a DVD so baby can hear and see him?

christineolina | January 03 , 2012 8:35 PM

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