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Baby product information - The Lullaby Trust

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It can be hard to know which products are safest for your baby to sleep in. We’re here to help you find the safest baby products…

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A new way to think about the transition to motherhood | Alexandra Sacks

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Newborn Cues narrated - What is Your Baby Trying to Tell You?

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How Brains are Built: The Core Story of Brain Development

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NCT

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The changes for men when they become fathers have been paid relatively little attention by policy-makers and service providers, compared with the focus on women as mothers, and the impact and importance of motherhood. There is still a cultural sense that being a parent is more central to women's lives than to men's, whereas the role of breadwinner is more central for men.

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(Apologies for the Infacol video. I will replace this with my own video asap)

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Winding your baby - baby winding techniques

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Our resident midwife, Lara Basini demonstrates a selection of useful baby winding techniques in this video. These methods will also help release baby's wind following the administration of anti-colic medication (Infacol). If you are having difficulties winding your baby, these tips may help. Find out more http://www.ColicHelp.co.uk

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How To Relieve Gas In Babies and Infants Instantly

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This is my no-medicine, incredibly effective method to relieve gas in fussy, gassy, or colicky infants. It's the only thing that has helped my little girl get quick and fast relief from gas pains. Always consult your baby's pediatrician first, but this has helped saved us many times over!

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With video

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How to change a nappy

Babies need frequent nappy changes, but how often they need changing depends on how sensitive their skin is.

Some babies have very delicate skin and need changing as soon as they wet themselves, otherwise their skin becomes sore and red.

Other babies can wait to be changed until before or after every feed.

All babies need changing as soon as possible when they have done a poo (stool) to prevent nappy rash.

Young babies need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, while older babies need to be changed at least 6 to 8 times.

What you need for nappy changing

Before you change your baby's nappy, wash your hands and get everything you need in one place, including:

a changing mat or towel

cotton wool and a bowl of warm water, or fragrance and alcohol-free baby wipes

a plastic bag or bucket for the dirty nappy and dirty cotton wool or wipes

barrier cream to protect your baby's skin

a clean nappy (and liner and cover if you're using cloth nappies)

clean clothes

Where to change a nappy

The best place to change a nappy is on a changing mat or towel on the floor, particularly if you have more than one baby.

That way, if you need to see to another child for a moment, your baby can't fall. It's best done sitting down so you don't hurt your back.

If you're using a changing table, keep an eye on your baby at all times. You shouldn't rely on the straps to keep your baby secure. Never walk away or turn your back.

Older babies may try to wriggle away when you're changing them. You could give them a toy or use a mobile to distract them.

Changing a nappy

It's just as important to clean your baby fully whether they have wet themselves or done a poo.

If your baby's nappy is dirty, use the nappy to clean off most of the poo from their bottom.

Then use the cotton wool and plain warm water (or baby wipes) to remove the rest and get your baby really clean.

Clean the whole nappy area gently but thoroughly and make sure you clean inside the folds of skin.

Girls should be cleaned from front to back to avoid getting germs into their vagina.

Boys should be cleaned around the testicles (balls) and penis, but there's no need to pull back their foreskin.

If it's warm enough, let your baby lie on the changing mat without a nappy on for a while. Wearing a nappy all the time makes nappy rash more likely.

If you're using disposable nappies, take care not to get water or cream on the sticky tabs as they won't stick if you do.

If you're using cloth nappies, put in a nappy liner and then fasten the nappy. Adjust it to fit snugly round the waist and legs.

Chat to your baby while you're changing them. Pulling faces, smiling and laughing with your baby will help you bond and help their development.

Try not to show any disgust at what's in their nappy. You don't want your baby to learn that doing a poo is something unpleasant or negative.

Nappy hygiene

Disposable nappies can be rolled up and resealed using the tabs. Put them in a plastic bag kept only for nappies, then tie it up and put it in an outside bin.

Washable cloth nappies don't have to be soaked before they're washed, but you may choose to soak them to help get the stains off. Check the washing instructions first.

Cloth nappies can be machine washed at 60C, or you could use a local nappy laundry service.

There's no evidence that using washing powders with enzymes (bio powders) or fabric conditioners will irritate your baby's skin.

Wash nappies that are dirty with poo separately from your other washing. You'll probably have enough nappies to make up a full load anyway.

To avoid infection, wash your hands after changing a nappy before you do anything else.

If your baby's old enough, they can wash their hands with you as it's a good habit to get into.
Learn how to wash your hands properly

What baby poo looks like

Your baby's first poo is called meconium. This is sticky and greenish-black.

Some babies may do this kind of poo during or after birth, or some time in the first 48 hours.

After a few days the poo will change to a yellow or mustard colour. Breastfed babies' poo is runny and doesn't smell. Formula-fed babies' poo is firmer, darker brown and more smelly.

Some infant formulas can also make your baby's poo dark green. If you change from breast to formula feeding, you'll find your baby's poos become darker and more paste-like.

If you have a girl, you may see a white discharge on her nappy for a few days after birth.

It's caused by hormones that have crossed the placenta to your baby, but these will soon disappear from her system.

These hormones can occasionally cause slight bleeding like a mini period, but in both cases it's nothing to worry about.

Read the NCT guide to newborn baby poo to find out more.

How often should my baby do a poo?

Babies do an average of 4 poos a day in the first week of life. This goes down to an average of 2 a day by the time they're 1 year old.

Newborn babies who are breastfed may poo at each feed in the early weeks, then, after about 6 weeks, not have a poo for several days.

Formula-fed babies may poo up to 5 times a day when newborn, but after a few months this can go down to once a day.

It's also normal for babies to strain or even cry when doing a poo.

Your baby isn't constipated as long as their poos are soft, even if they haven't done one for a few days.

Is it normal for my baby's poos to change?

From day to day or week to week, your baby's poos will probably vary.

If you notice a definite change of any kind, such as the poos becoming very smelly, very watery or harder (particularly if there's blood in them), you should talk to your doctor or health visitor.

If your baby's poos look pale, this can be a sign of liver disease.

Speak to your health visitor or GP if you notice this.

Disposable and washable cloth (reusable) nappies

Disposable and cloth nappies come in a range of shapes and sizes. The choice might be confusing at first, but with trial and error you'll be able to work out which nappies suit your baby best as they grow.

Disposable and cloth nappies have different pros and cons, so you'll need to consider things like cost, convenience and the impact on the environment when you choose what to buy.

For example, disposable nappies are very handy, but washable cloth nappies work out cheaper if you add up the costs over the years your baby's in nappies.

Some cloth nappy brands and local councils offer free samples for you to try out.

If you use cloth nappies, you may want to sign up to a nappy laundry service that'll take away the dirty nappies and deliver a fresh batch each week.

Which? has more information to help you decide which type of nappy is best for your baby, budget and lifestyle.

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Babies need frequent nappy changes, but how often they need changing depends on how sensitive their skin is. Some babies have very delicate skin and need changing as soon as they wet themselves, otherwise their skin becomes sore and red. Other babies can wait to be changed until before or after every feed.

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You don't need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom instead. This is often called "topping and tailing".
Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm. Get everything ready beforehand. You'll need a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and, if necessary, clean clothes.

Topping and tailing tips

Hold your baby on your knee or lay them on a changing mat. Take off all their clothes, apart from their vest and nappy, and wrap them in a towel.

Dip the cotton wool in the water (make sure it doesn't get too wet) and wipe gently around your baby's eyes from the nose outward, using a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye. This is so that you don't transfer any stickiness or infection from one eye to another.

Use a fresh piece of cotton wool to clean around your baby's ears, but not inside them. Never use cotton buds to clean inside your baby's ears. Wash the rest of your baby's face, neck and hands in the same way and dry them gently with the towel.

Take off the nappy and wash your baby's bottom and genital area with fresh cotton wool and warm water. Dry very carefully, including between the skin folds, and put on a clean nappy.

It will help your baby to relax if you keep talking while you wash them. The more they hear your voice, the more they'll get used to listening to you and start to understand what you're saying.

Bathing your baby safely

You don't need to bathe your baby every day, but if they really enjoy it, there's no reason why you shouldn't.

It's best not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired. Make sure the room you're bathing them in is warm.

Have everything you need at hand: a baby bath or clean washing-up bowl filled with warm water, 2 towels, a clean nappy, clean clothes and cotton wool.

The water should be warm, not hot. Check it with your wrist or elbow and mix it well so there are no hot patches.

Don't add any liquid cleansers to the bath water. Plain water is best for your baby's skin in the first month.

Hold your baby on your knee and clean their face.

Next, wash their hair with plain water, supporting them over the bowl.

Once you've dried their hair gently, you can take off their nappy, wiping away any mess.

Lower your baby gently into the bowl or bath using one hand to hold their upper arm and support their head and shoulders. Then use the other hand to gently swish the water over your baby without splashing.

Keep your baby's head clear of the water.

Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a second.

Lift your baby out and pat them dry, paying special attention to the creases in their skin.

This is a good time to massage your baby. Massage can help them relax and sleep. Avoid using any oils or lotions until your baby is at least a month old.

If your baby seems frightened of bathing and cries, try bathing together. Make sure the water isn't too hot. It's easier if someone else holds your baby while you get in and out of the bath.

Video: how do I bath my baby?

In this video, a midwife shows you how to bath your baby properly.

Cutting your baby's nails

Some babies are born with long nails and it's important to cut them in case they scratch themselves. You can buy special baby nail clippers or small, round-ended safety scissors. Or you could try filing them down with a fine emery board instead

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You don't need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom instead. This is often called "topping and tailing". Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm. Get everything ready beforehand.

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Baby led potty training

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Baby-led potty training (BLPT), or Elimination communication (EC), is a respectful, natural way to care for a baby. It can be done with or without nappies. Millions of mothers around the world deal with their babies' toileting needs in this way. It is a skill that has been forgotten in the West since the advent of disposable nappies.

How does it work?

Parents look for signals that baby is uncomfortable, and then offer her a chance to urinate or defecate outside her nappy. They can also simply hold babies out at regular times, such as at nappy change time. Parents normally hold her in a 'squat' position, hands underneath the baby's thighs, with baby's back and head leaning against the parent's chest. Or in the crook of the arm. An older baby can sit on a potty or a toilet insert. The baby then urinates or defecates in the potty or lavatory, instead of in their nappy.

All babies seem to be born with a reflex that helps them avoid soiling themselves. Parents of newborns often find that their baby wees and poos as soon as they remove the nappy. The change in temperature and /or the squat position triggers this reflex. A parent can capitalise on this reflex by regularly holding the baby in a position that relaxes the pelvic floor with the nappy off. The baby will soon learn to associate the hold and the place (the potty or lavatory) with his bodily functions. And so, what starts as a reflex and some lucky timing, moves into a more conscious act on the part of the baby. Parents often make a 'psss' sound, or a grunting noise to help baby make this connection.

Baby led potty training can begin at birth, though some cultures wait until the baby can hold their head, or sit on a potty. It is easiest to begin before six months of age.

It's not an all or nothing affair. Although some parents use this method full time, others prefer to go part time, perhaps just a few hours in the morning, for example. Another way is to offer the potty at convenient times, (for example when baby is being changed or bathed, or when the parent is using the loo) and use a nappy in between times.

For the purposes of baby led potty training, the type of nappy or underwear parents use on their babies is not as relevant as the way they are used. While parents are practising BLPT (which might be full time, or might be just for an hour), they try to communicate about every wee and poo, which normally means changing a nappy as soon as it is wet or dirty. In the first year, most parents use some kind of nappy system as a back up, and they often find that this is easier if they use cloth nappies, or training pants. It is possible to use disposables, but it is harder to tell when a baby urinates. A mix may be the best option, for example bare-bottomed at home, cloth for out and about, and disposables at night time.

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Baby-led potty training (BLPT), or Elimination communication (EC), is a respectful, natural way to care for a baby. It can be done with or without nappies. Millions of mothers around the world deal with their babies' toileting needs in this way. It is a skill that has been forgotten in the West since the advent of disposable nappies.

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How to cope and keep calm with a crying baby | Baby & toddler articles & support | NCT

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Keeping calm with a screaming baby is easier said than done. Tensions and emotions run high during those first few days, weeks and months. 

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10 ways to care for your newborn baby | Baby & toddler articles & support | NCT

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Caring for a newborn baby is a big responsibility. So here we talk about baby care basics like how to hold your baby, change their nappy and comfort them.

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Bridget Supple demonstrating how a Baby's Brain wires - 'The Wool brain' exercise

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Margot Sunderland

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New research into how babies learn reveals that the everyday, loving interaction with caregivers is what matters most. The best thing you can do for your baby's growing brain is to respond to him, says Claire Lerner, L.C.S.W., director of parenting resources at Zero to Three, in Washington, D.C. Let him know that when he cries, you will comfort him; when he's ready to play, you will engage him.
B is for breast milk
It's powerful stuff. Brain imaging studies by researchers at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, have found that kids who were breastfed exclusively for at least three months had 20 to 30 percent more white matter. This specific type of brain tissue is rich in myelin, a fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers and speeds up the electrical signals within the brain. The extra white matter growth was seen in areas of the brain associated with language, emotional function, and cognition.
C is for calming
"During your infant's first three months of life, helping him feel secure calms the brain," says Lerner, whose national nonprofit organization promotes early childhood development. If your baby is fussy, your touch and nurturing response help soothe his nervous system and prevent the stress hormone cortisol from interfering with development. Even if your infant continues to cry, your efforts ensure healthy brain growth.
D is for doubling
Your baby's brain doubles in size the first year; the cerebellum, an area at the back of the brain that controls coordination and balance, triples in size. This is believed to be related to the amount of new motor skills babies learn from birth to 12 months. The visual areas of the cortex--the largest part of the brain, associated with higher brain function--grow too and help limited sight develop into full binocular vision at around 4 months.
E is for eye contact
It creates a strong emotional bond between you and your newborn that sets him up to absorb information. "Sharing looks can help your baby learn language and also, more generally, about others' attitudes about the world," says Malinda Carpenter, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist who is conducting research at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany.
F is for focus
When your infant explores a toy or book, she's learning. "Her brain is trying to make sense of what she sees, hears, feels, and tastes," says Lerner. "For a 3-month-old, focusing on an object for 10 or 15 seconds is intense; it's similar to an adult concentrating on a task for an hour."
G is for grouping
"Babies are aware of quantity and amount and are already mentally grouping things into categories by 10 or 11 months of age," says Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., director of the Infant Language Laboratory at Temple University in Philadelphia. "They're not mathematicians, but they know when there's more or less stuff. Biology's made them great pattern seekers." During playtime, sort the red blocks from the yellow ones or the big ones from the small ones.
H is for hearing
At birth, your baby recognizes your voice because she could hear you in the womb. "Sound provides major sensory input; babies use it to suss out who's coming down the hall, or who is rocking them," Lerner says. "They even process the tone of the voice they hear--is the voice happy or upset? One recent study showed that even sleeping babies' cortisol levels went up if adults nearby spoke in harsh raised voices."
I is for iron
Infants need iron to produce oxygen-carrying red blood cells, which help fuel brain growth. Formula-fed babies may get enough from iron-fortified formula, but if you're nursing, your little one may need an iron supplement. Babies born early may require extra iron too. Ask your pediatrician.
J is for jiggle
When you jostle and jiggle your baby on your lap to make her coo, you're also stimulating her brain to release hormones that are necessary for growth. In one study, premature infants in intensive care who were stroked and had their limbs flexed for 15 minutes, three times a day, went home sooner, were more alert, and had better motor control than the newborns who were touched less.
K is for kicking
Babies do a lot of communicating with their body. Let's say you're making funny faces and your little one is loving it. Then you stop. "She may kick her legs, reach out with her arms, or lean forward as if to say, 'I want you to keep doing that,'" says Lerner. When you do so, these reflexive actions start to become purposeful, and Baby has learned to "talk" with her hands and feet.

L through Z
L is for looking
Starting at about 6 weeks, babies learn by looking, report researchers from the University of Iowa, in Iowa City. In their study, they found that infants looked longer at a new object when it was shown to them for the first time, then paid less and less attention to it as the object became more familiar. Don't switch out toys and books too quickly, though: The researchers also found that infants who don't spend a sufficient amount of time studying a new item don't catch on as well, which may affect learning later.
M is for music
If you want to sign up for a mommy-and-me class, choose an interactive music one. One-year-olds who did participatory music classes--the kind where you and your tot bang on instruments and sing along--communicate better, smile more, and show earlier and more sophisticated brain responses to music than those who simply listened to songs, a Canadian study finds.
N is for nurture
"The constant interaction between a child's genetic makeup and early life experiences shapes the developing brain," Lerner says. Parents who make their child feel secure and provide appropriate learning experiences nurture their child's brain in positive ways, with long-term benefits.
O is for feeling overwhelmed
Like adults, babies have different tolerance levels for stimulation. If your child starts to cry, arch his back, or break eye contact, try a simpler toy, shut off the music, or walk away from a noisy area. "When a child's developing nervous system becomes overwhelmed, it's important that you give his brain a break," Lerner says.
P is for peekaboo
Playing peekaboo is a great way to teach the idea of "object permanence"--that people and things still exist even when out of sight. Your little one learns that you are still there even when she can't see your face.
Q is for quiet time
You know when you're in a noisy room and feel too overwhelmed to think? That's how a TV on in the background makes babies feel, Dr. Hirsh-Pasek says. "It's as if their brain is being accosted with sound, making it difficult for them to concentrate on interacting with Mom or to learn about their world." Let him thrive in peace!
R is for repetition
It can be maddening when your 10-month-old wants to look at the same book with you five times in a row, but repetition is how infants learn. "They tend to repeat behaviors until they feel they've mastered them," says Andrew Garner, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Early Brain and Child Development Leadership Workgroup. "Also, they're like little scientists. They are trying to figure out how the world works, and they have tremendous joy and pride when they are able to predict what is going to happen next."
S is for synapses
From birth to age 3, the connections between brain cells, called synapses, grow at a faster rate than at any other time in life. New ones are formed daily. The more each one is used (say, for music or speech), the stronger that part of the brain becomes. Synapses that are rarely used remain weak and are eventually discarded by the brain.
T is for starting tummy time
Your baby should always sleep on her back for safe slumber, but she needs tummy time daily, starting from birth. "Initially, it strengthens the gross motor skills your baby needs to raise her head, roll over, and sit," Dr. Garner says. But there may be brain benefits as well. "Seeing the world from this perspective could promote spatial awareness, your child's ability to be aware of her place in relation to other objects or people," he says
U is for understanding
"Infants as young as 8 months show what we call 'social referencing.' They understand how a person is feeling," Dr. Garner says. When a stranger approaches, your baby will check your facial expression to see if this new person is a friend or foe. If you look concerned or distracted, he will quickly let you know he's not happy to see this person! But if you look relaxed, he'll relax too.
V is for verbal language
As you know, chatting with your baby boosts speech. Exposure to verbal language also paves the way for more complicated learning, such as math skills, Dr. Garner says. You don't have to converse exclusively in goos and gahs: Narrate your day ("I'm taking a shower, then we're getting groceries") or talk her through the steps of a recipe you're making ("Look at all these carrots I need to chop!").
W is for first words
Most infants can say two or three simple words like "mama" or "dada" at 12 months. By 18 months, their vocabulary should expand to about 50 words. Respond to encourage his speech!
X is for Xs (and Os)
Smooch your sweetie all you want! Kissing, hugging, smiling, and singing are like superfoods for your baby's brain, Dr. Hirsh-Pasek says. You're making him feel safe and loved, so he can concentrate on learning.
Y is for you
On average, at about 12 months, babies start pointing to communicate with you. You're the one your baby turns to for answers and explanations. At first, she'll point because she wants you to look at what she's seeing--say, a really big dog. Then she'll start to point for other reasons, such as to ask questions or make requests. For instance, by pointing to a cookie, she's asking you if she can have it.
Z is for ZZZs
It's no surprise that during this period of the most rapid brain growth, infants spend between 12 and 18 hours of every day snoozing. Sleep plays a vital role in learning by giving your baby's brain the rest it needs to refuel and be efficient.
Originally published in American Baby magazine in October 2014. All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

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New research into how babies learn reveals that the everyday, loving interaction with caregivers is what matters most. The best thing you can do for your baby's growing brain is to respond to him, says Claire Lerner, L.C.S.W., director of parenting resources at Zero to Three, in Washington, D.C.

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Baby health advice

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Poorly Poppets - baby health advice Bristol

Our sessions provide new parents with advice about how to look after their babies when they are unwell. Poorly Poppets was established in 2011 by a GP and a paediatrician (Dr Woodbridge) who understand that, as parents, it can be a frightening time and that more information was needed.

It is still run by Dr Claire Perks, a local GP with a special interest in children's health, and a mother of three children. She is joined by Dr Ruth Bartlett, another local doctor and mother of three. We run a session approximately every quarter with the aim of giving new parents the confidence to recognise when their child is poorly, what to do and when to turn for help.

Whilst babies are busy feeding and growing in those first six months they will also be starting to build up their own immune system. They are meeting lots of new viruses all the time and this is important for that process. It is a normal part of growing up but it can make children poorly and cause sleepless nights for parents! With this in mind, we talk about the most common things your babies will come across in their first few years: temperatures, coughs and colds and tummy bugs. We also cover choking as we know this is on many parents minds.

The sessions are aimed at babies of approximately 4-8 months (i.e. once the dust has settled from their arrival and before they've had too many illnesses), but anyone is welcome. Do bring along your baby and any family members are also very welcome.

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Poorly Poppets - baby health advice Bristol

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Our sessions provide new parents with advice about how to look after their babies when they are unwell. Poorly Poppets was established in 2011 by a GP and a paediatrician (Dr Woodbridge) who understand that, as parents, it can be a frightening time and that more information was needed.

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Mums in Mind (a peer to peer support group for mums with babies under one who are experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety and/or isolation)
Home visit volunteers (working with parents with a child under 5 and may be struggling)

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Home-Start North Somerset offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in North Somerset. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young.
Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most. For some parents it's a particular struggle because they are also having to cope with issues such as post-natal depression, their or their child's illness or disability, isolation or multiple births.

That's when parents need support. That's when Home-Start North Somerset can help. We are an early years support charity and in order to receive help from Home-Start North Somerset you must have at least one child under 5 in the family.

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Home-Start North Somerset | Home-Start North Somerset is a local charity, which provides regular support, friendship and practical help for young families in the North Somerset region.

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Home-Start North Somerset offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in North Somerset. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young. Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most.

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Postnatal depression support group and helpline
(Bristol)

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Mothers for Mothers | Postnatal Depression Support | Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire

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Mothers for Mothers are a group of mothers, most of who have suffered postnatal depression or distress after the birth of one or more of our babies. We offer support, advice, information and most of all a listening ear for any worries or concerns you may have.

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For support with depression, anxiety and low mood during and after pregnancy
(Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Glos, Devon)

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Support for you Signs and symptoms How to refer South Gloucestershire North Somerset Bath & North East Somerset Bluebell place Dads in mind Little Bluebell About us Join our mailing list HERE for Bluebell newsletters and updates Latest twitter Tweets by BluebellCare Tweets by DADSINMIND Latest Blogs more...

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Track your baby's developmental leaps - there's a handy app

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The Ten Leaps - What are the 10 Mental Leaps? - The Wonder Weeks

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All babies go though the same changes in the mental development at the same time. This is called a mental leap. In al 10 leaps your baby learn new things.

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Tongue in cheek!

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Windows of achievement for six gross motor milestones

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Windows of achievement for six gross motor milestones

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WHO

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Your baby will reach milestones at a rate that's unique to them. They'll get to each development stage when they are ready so try not to compare them with others.

It's fascinating to see your baby grow and develop before your eyes. You will have plenty of exciting baby's firsts to look forward to in the coming months. The following are the baby development stages you can expect.

Grasping and grabbing

Your baby can grasp an object like your finger from the moment they are born. At birth it's a reflex and by the time they're around three months old, it's a skill they're keen to develop.

You'll notice your little one's increased hand-eye coordination, as they discover their hands are part of their body and start to gain control over them (Murray, 2014).

As your baby develops their arm and hand muscles they will start to reach for objects (Public Health Agency, 2018). It's a good idea to make sure hot drinks are out of their reach. Your little one will begin to reach accurately and quickly, not only with both hands but with their entire body.

By four months, your baby will probably have finally mastered this game and be able to get his thumb to his mouth and keep it there (Murray, 2014). Many people say this movement is one of the most important ways for your baby to self-sooth and calm down. So try not to cover your baby's hands or prevent them from sucking their thumb if they want to.

Kick, wriggle and roll

If your baby enjoys kicking, wriggling and rolling, let them have enough space to move around. Make sure they aren't constricted by clothing that's too big or too small.

At first your little one's movements may appear jerky and meaningless. If you observe your baby closely, you'll see they are communicating through limb movements and facial expressions (Kelly, 2014).

Babies sometimes prefer to feel contained, recreating the feeling of being in the womb. Some babies might fling out their arms or try to push themselves up to the sides of their cot or Moses basket. This is a short phase. To create that security, you could tuck your baby in, or carry them in a sling.

Rolling over is usually the next stage of baby movement. So be careful about putting your baby on a bed or a high surface in case they start demonstrating their new skill.

Tummy time

Giving your baby supervised tummy time will help them to strengthen their back, arm and neck muscles (Pin et al, 2007; Hewitt et al, 2017; NHS Choices, 2017a; Wittmeier and Mulder, 2017). It also encourages them to roll over and get a different view of the world.

You can practice 'tummy time' with your little one once or several times a day (Pin et al, 2007; Hewitt et al, 2017; NHS Choices, 2017a). It's best to do it when your baby is awake and alert.

Some babies don't like being put on their tummies. This is perfectly normal and may change as your baby develops week by week (Pin et al, 2007; Hewitt et al, 2017; NHS Choices, 2017a). Read more in our article about tips for tummy time.

Sitting, crawling and bottom shuffling

Babies learn to sit, first supported and then unsupported (Public Health Agency, 2018). Your little one might enjoy holding your hands and attempting to pull up to a sit.

Some babies find it difficult moving from sitting to crawling and they can hurt themselves. Your baby might get stuck, so it's a good idea for someone to be close by and keep an eye on them.

When your little one decides to crawl for the first time, it's likely to be towards something or someone that interests them. You can encourage them by putting a favourite toy just out of their reach, or by calling them from a few paces away.

Try to place your baby on a soft blanket or carpet and be prepared for them to wobble a little. As they may still be too young to support their own body weight on their arms.

Some babies crawl sideways, backwards, or even with one knee up. Others will shuffle around on their bottom instead of crawling, this is normal for some babies.

If your little one is a bottom-shuffler they may propel themselves using one hand and one leg or both hands and legs. They might even bounce themselves along.

Standing and cruising

Some babies will crawl for months before walking, others may move on quickly (Public Health Agency, 2018). You can encourage your little one to walk by supporting their underarms with your hands and bouncing them up and down. You might notice them stiffen then relax their legs, stand on their tip toes and sometimes resist being put down.

At this age your baby might stand up and not know how to get back down, so they may call out for help. You can teach them to lower themselves onto their bottom by pushing them down gently.

Once your little one has learned how to stand, it won't be long until they are cruising. This is when your baby starts grabbing onto furniture to pull themselves up and for support as they shuffle along a few steps (NHS Choices, 2017b). So always keep hot drinks out of reach.

Cruising is one of your baby's last steps to walking completely independently. Remember some slips and falls are inevitable and all part of learning.

In the beginning, your baby might walk with their feet at a slight angle; this can happen while the muscles in their legs get stronger (NHS Choices, 2017b). If this continues, seek advice from your GP.

It's a good idea to do another baby safety check around your house. You might need to move small items up another level out of your baby's reach or put them away. Make sure that any dangerous items like cleaning products are out of your baby's reach.

Walking

Some babies will spend plenty of time cruising as they gain confidence, while others quickly move on to walking. Learning to walk is a huge baby milestone.

Seeing your little one take their first steps on their own is an incredible feeling and they will be delighted too. Before you know it they will be running, jumping and skipping, and you will be chasing after them.

Baby milestones

Babies will choose when they feel comfortable rolling over, sitting, crawling, standing or walking.

If your little one is learning a new skill, it's better to leave them to master that stage of development rather than push them onto the next milestone (Plooij and van de Rijt, 2013).

Sometimes your baby may seem to lose a skill due to concentrating on gaining a new ability. Once they have mastered the new skill, you will see that the old ones are still present (WHO, 2006).

Similarly, if your little one is ill, they might temporarily regress with their movement. As soon as they're feeling well again, they'll have the energy to pick up where they left off (WHO, 2006).

There's no rush, most babies will do things when they're ready. You can help by making sure they can move around and practice their new abilities freely, easily and safely.
This page was last reviewed in October 2017.
Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

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Your baby's development: physical stages | Baby & toddler articles & support | NCT

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While babies develop at different rates here are the milestones you might expect. Get ready for rolling, crawling, cruising and more.

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Free cloth nappy hire

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North Somerset Nappies. 239 likes. We are an information network aiming to promote real nappies in North Somerset. Please visit our website www.northsomersetnappies.org.uk

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Facebook group

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North Somerset Sling Libraries is peer ran support group for parents interested in babywearing. This group is intended to serve North Somerset but people from outside the area are welcome to join us....

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Are some babies inherently good sleepers, while others aren't? Yes to a certain extent this is true. However natural variations are a lot less than most parents think. There are specific patterns of sleep which are universal to most babies and toddlers. This timeline, collated through years of research, will outline these typical sleep patterns. It will explain what sleep behaviour you can reasonably expect of your little one at each stage of their development.

Nestled in the sleep-inducing womb, the environment is consistent and perfect for sleep. It's dark, warm, quiet, and when you walk or move about, your baby is rocked to sleep.

Your unborn baby sleeps twenty hours or more each day (Pantley 2009).

Your baby is used to hearing the comforting sounds of your heartbeat, the gurgling of your stomach, and the soft tones of your voice. Also, he never experiences hunger due to being permanently hooked up to a steady stream of nutrition. As a consequence of these factors, your baby seldom has difficulty falling to sleep (Holland 2004).

Waking periods are random and for very short periods of time.

Your baby is a very active sleeper. The kicking and poking sensations that you can feel are often movements made during sleep (Pantley 2009).

By the seventh month of pregnancy your baby will start to dream as their brain is now developed enough to partake in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep (Murkoff 2009). In REM sleep, the higher centres of the brain receive stimulation from deeper, more primitive areas. Impulses come up the same sensory pathways that are used for sight and sound, and perhaps touch, smell and taste. This state may allow the unborn baby's developing brain to receive sensory input - to 'see' and to 'hear' - even before birth! (Ferber 2013).

During REM sleep, muscular impulses in the foetus are not blocked as completely as they are in children and adults, so the foetus has some ability to practice actual body movements.

By the eighth month of pregnancy your baby will also partake in non-REM sleep. In this more quiet phase of sleep, your baby makes no breathing motions. Yet if respiratory movements were never practiced, your child would be born with no experience at all in using these muscles that are so necessary to survival. Thankfully, respiratory motions do occur in REM sleep (Ferber 2013).

Children dream more the younger they are (Einon 2004). 90% of the sleep of premature babies is spent in REM sleep (Hames 1998). Unborn babies dream most of all. What does a foetus' dream about? We can never know. Maybe just flashes of sounds and murky sights.

If you've had a 4D scan, you may have noticed your unborn baby 'smiling' in their sleep. This is because during REM sleep, facial muscles can twitch, producing 'sleep grins' (Sears 2009).

Your baby is 'nocturnal'. He is most active during the night time as there is more room to move, and less soothing rocking motions to pacify him.

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Timeline of Baby and Toddler Sleep - The Alpha Parent

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Are some babies inherently good sleepers, while others aren't? Yes to a certain extent this is true. However natural variations are a lot less than most parents think. There are specific patterns of sleep which are universal to most babies and toddlers. This timeline, collated through years of research, will outline these typical sleep patterns.

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What does a newborn look like?

Parents often dream of what their new baby may look like. They think about a pink, round, chubby-cheeked and gurgling wonder. It may be surprising for many parents to see their newborn the first time-wet and red, with a long head, and screaming-nothing at all like they had imagined.

Newborns have many variations in normal appearance, from color to the shape of the head. Some of these differences are just temporary, part of the physical adjustments a baby goes through. Others, such as birthmarks, may be permanent. Understanding the normal appearance of newborns can help you know that your baby is healthy. Some of the normal variations in newborns include the following:

A baby's skin coloring can vary greatly, depending on the baby's age, race or ethnic group, temperature, and whether or not the baby is crying.

When a baby is first born, the skin is a dark red to purple color. As the baby starts to breathe air, the color changes to red. This redness normally starts to fade in the first day. A baby's hands and feet may stay bluish in color for several days. This is a normal response to a baby's underdeveloped blood circulation. But blue coloring of other parts of the body isn't normal.

Some newborns develop a yellow coloring of the skin and whites of the eyes called jaundice. This may be a normal response as the body gets rid of older red blood cells. But it may indicate a problem, especially if it worsens.

Swollen genitals/discharge

Premature baby girls may have a very prominent clitoris and inner labia. Full-term girls have larger outer labia. Girls may have a small amount of whitish discharge or blood-tinged mucus from the vagina in the first few weeks. This is a normal occurrence related to the mother's hormones.

Premature boys may have a smooth, flat scrotum with undescended testicles. Boys born later in pregnancy have ridges in the scrotum with descended testicles.

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default - Stanford Medicine Children's Health

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Parents often dream of what their new baby may look like. They think about a pink, round, chubby-cheeked and gurgling wonder. It may be surprising for many parents to see their newborn the first time-wet and red, with a long head, and screaming-nothing at all like they had imagined.

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The HANDI app offers simple and straightforward advice, for the following conditions in children:

diarrhoea and vomiting

high temperature

'chesty baby' illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup

'chesty child' illnesses such as wheezing and asthma

abdominal pain

common newborn problems.

The app takes you through a series of questions about the symptoms your child is experiencing and then advises on the best course of action, whether that's to treat at home, to make a GP appointment, or to head to A&E.

Each of the illnesses has a home care plan to help you provide the best support for your child, and give you confidence in caring for them when they are unwell.

Download the HANDi App for Android phones at Google Play.

For iPhone or iPad you can download it from the app store or iTunes, using the search term 'HANDi App'.

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The HANDI app offers simple and straightforward advice, for the following conditions in children: diarrhoea and vomiting high temperature 'chesty baby' illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup 'chesty child' illnesses such as wheezing and asthma abdominal pain common newborn problems. The app takes you through a series of questions about the symptoms your child is experiencing and then advises on the best course of action, whether that's to treat at home, to make a GP appointment, or to head to A&E.

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Lullaby Trust

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Baby Check App

Baby Check features 19 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness. Each check tests for a different symptom and when completed, a score is calculated that tells parents or carers how ill their baby is. The app then lets parents know whether their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional.

Download for FREE from Google Play or the App Store.

Buy posters, business cards and other materials to help promote Baby Check to your clients and patients

Shop

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The Baby Check App helps parents decide if their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional

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Advice about stitches, piles, bleeding and other physical changes after birth, plus tips to help you make a healthy recovery.
If you've had a caesarean, see recovering from a caesarean.

Stitches

If you've had stitches after tearing or an episiotomy (cut), bathe them every day to help prevent infection. Have a bath or shower with plain warm water then carefully pat yourself dry.

If your stitches are sore or uncomfortable, tell your midwife.

Painkillers can help. If you're breastfeeding, check with your pharmacist, midwife or GP before you buy over-the-counter painkillers.

Stitches usually dissolve by the time the cut or tear has healed, but sometimes they have to be taken out.

Going to the toilet

At first, the thought of peeing can be a bit frightening - because of the soreness. Drinking lots of water dilutes your urine, which may make it sting less.

Tell your midwife if:

you're finding it really difficult to pee

you feel very sore

you notice an unpleasant smell

You probably won't have a poo for a few days after the birth, but it's important not to let yourself get constipated.

Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, salad, wholegrain cereals and wholemeal bread, and drink plenty of water.

If you've had stitches, it's very unlikely you'll break them, or open up the cut or tear again.

It might feel better if you hold a pad of clean tissue over the stitches when pooing. Try not to strain.

Talk to your midwife or GP if you have constipation that won't go away. A gentle laxative may help.

Also tell your midwife or GP if poo is leaking or you're pooing when you don't mean to.

Bladder control

After having a baby, it's quite common to leak a bit of pee if you laugh, cough or move suddenly.

Pelvic floor exercises can help with this but tell your GP at your postnatal check if they aren't. They may refer you to a physiotherapist.

Piles

Piles are very common after birth but usually disappear within a few days.

Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, salad, wholegrain cereals and wholemeal bread, and drink plenty of water. This should make pooing easier and less painful.

Try not to push or strain - this will make the piles worse.

Let your midwife know if you feel very uncomfortable. They can give you a cream to soothe the piles.

Bleeding after birth (lochia)

You'll bleed from your vagina after the birth. It will be quite heavy at first, and you'll need super-absorbent sanitary towels. Change them regularly, washing your hands before and afterwards.

It isn't a good idea to use tampons until after your 6-week postnatal check because they could increase your chance of getting an infection.

See when you can start using tampons after birth.

You may notice the bleeding is redder and heavier when you breastfeed. This happens because breastfeeding makes your womb contract. You may also feel cramps similar to period pains.

The bleeding will carry on for a few weeks. It will gradually turn a brownish colour and decrease until it finally stops.

If you're losing blood in large clots, tell your midwife. You may need some treatment.

When will my periods start again after pregnancy?

It's hard to be exact about when your periods will start again, as everyone is different.

If you bottle feed your baby, or combine bottle feeding with breastfeeding, your first period could start as soon as 5 to 6 weeks after you give birth.

If you fully breastfeed (including at night) without any bottle feeding, your periods may not start again until you start to reduce breastfeeding.

How soon after giving birth can I get pregnant?

You can get pregnant as little as 3 weeks after the birth of your baby, even if you're breastfeeding and your periods have not started again yet.

Find out more about when you can use contraception after having a baby.

How soon can I use tampons after giving birth?

You should not use tampons until you've had your 6-week postnatal check. This is because you'll still have a wound where the placenta joined with the wall of your womb, and you may also have tears or cuts in or around your vagina.

Using internal sanitary products like tampons and menstrual cups before this wound has healed could increase your chance of getting an infection.

Use maternity pads or sanitary towels during this time while your body is still healing.

Breasts

To begin with, your breasts will produce a yellowish liquid called colostrum for your baby.

On the third or fourth day, they may feel tight and tender as they start to produce milk.

Wearing a supportive nursing bra may help. Speak to your midwife if you're very uncomfortable.

Read more about breastfeeding in the first few days.

Tummy

After delivery, your tummy will probably still be a lot bigger than before pregnancy. This is partly because your muscles have stretched.

If you eat a balanced diet and get some exercise, your shape should gradually return.

Breastfeeding helps because it makes your womb contract. You may feel quite painful period-like cramps while you're feeding.

You could also try these gentle postnatal tummy exercises.

Is it something serious?

Tell your midwife, health visitor or GP straight away if you get any of these symptoms.

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Advice about stitches, piles, bleeding and other physical changes after birth, plus tips to help you make a healthy recovery. If you've had a caesarean, see recovering from a caesarean. If you've had stitches after tearing or an episiotomy (cut), bathe them every day to help prevent infection.

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What is sepsis?

Sepsis (also known as blood poisoning) is the immune system's overreaction to an infection or injury. Normally our immune system fights infection - but sometimes, for reasons we don't yet understand, it attacks our body's own organs and tissues. If not treated immediately, sepsis can result in organ failure and death. Yet with early diagnosis, it can be treated with antibiotics.

5 people die with sepsis every hour in the UK. By helping us to reach more people with the signs of sepsis, we can work towards ending preventable deaths from this condition. After all, there is power in numbers. Click here to share the signs of sepsis on Twitteror download our Social Media graphic to share.

Symptoms

Sepsis can initially look like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection. There is no one sign, and symptoms present differently between adults and children.

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What is sepsis? Sepsis (also known as blood poisoning) is the immune system's overreaction to an infection or injury. Normally our immune system fights infection - but sometimes, for reasons we don't yet understand, it attacks our body's own organs and tissues. If not treated immediately, sepsis can result in organ failure and death.

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Early years and childcare

Children's centres provide services for families with children under five. They host drop-in advice clinics, parenting workshops, parent and toddler groups and even speech and language services. Many also host regular activities for children under five.

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Children's centres - North Somerset Council

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Children's centres provide services for families with children under five. They host drop-in advice clinics, parenting workshops, parent and toddler groups and even speech and language services. Many also host regular activities for children under five. Ashcombe Children's Centre Banwell, Winscombe and Sandford Children's Centre Castle Batch Children's Centre Clevedon Children's Centre Locking Castle and Locking Children's ...

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How to make a postnatal recovery plan - BLOG

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How to make a postnatal recovery plan - BLOG

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I also have the book available to borrow

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Another way to create an support & wellbeing plan

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Another way to create an support & wellbeing plan

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© 2022. Tommy’s is a registered charity in England and Wales (1060508) and Scotland (SC039280). A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales company number 3266897. Registered office: Nicholas House, 3 Laurence Pountney Hill, London, EC4R 0BB.

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Bliss

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Information for your first few days in the neonatal unit. Read about what to expect, finding your feet, and how to get more support.

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Looking after your baby on the neonatal ward

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Looking after your baby on the neonatal ward

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Bliss

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Looking after your baby on the neonatal unit | Bliss

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It can be hard to know how to look after your baby in neonatal care. But getting involved can help you and your baby. Find information and support in this section.

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UNICEF

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The Pregnancy and Post-birth Wellbeing Plan

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The Wellbeing Plan helps you start thinking about how you feel emotionally and what support you might need in your pregnancy and after the birth.

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First Impressions: a virtual experience of the first year of life - 360 video 

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First Impressions: a virtual experience of the first year of life - 360 video 

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First Impressions: a virtual experience of the first year of life - 360 video | Guardian VR

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Discussion with author of 'The No Cry Sleep Solution'

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What is the number one issue among parents of babies? Sleep!

We wanted to talk to someone who has spent many years helping parents with infant sleep issues, so we interviewed Elizabeth Pantley, who has written the No-Cry Sleep Solution series of books. Her new book, The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns, was released in October 2016.

1) How did you get started in sleep research?

My fourth baby propelled me into sleep research because as a year old he was still waking up to breastfeed every few hours all night long, every night. People told me I had two choices: to live with it, or to let my baby cry-it-out. I certainly wanted - and needed - my sleep, but I was adamantly against letting my baby cry to sleep. I thought it was a cruel and heartless way to treat the tiny, innocent, trusting little love of your life.

But, as a busy author and mom of three other children I was a walking zombie! I desperately needed to find a way to help us both sleep better - ways that were respectful to my baby and that did not include crying. I launched myself into research and gathered a group of test parents with non-sleeping babies to be my test cases - and The No-Cry Sleep Solution was born. That book is now ten years old and available worldwide in 27 languages - clearly sleep is a critical topic for all families.

Twenty months ago my oldest child had my first grandbaby - and I learned the joys of being "Nana." This new life reminded me how hard it is to care for a newborn, and I realized that I had a wealth of sleep knowledge to share which would make these early months much more relaxed and peaceful for babies and their parents, and so The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns was born soon after my first grandchild!

In the book you mention you have worked with thousands of new parents. Could you tell us a little more about your research for this book?

Sleep, or more accurately, lack of sleep is the number one issue among parents of babies. As an author of four books specifically on the topic of sleep you can bet my inbox is daily filled with letters from sleepless parents needing help! When I begin work on a new topic I gather a group of families to get their input, ideas, and questions. I have found that the best way to use all the valuable research that exists is to put it to use in the real world, with real families. The combination of research and real life is what makes ideas and solutions usable for families.

2) Some parents say their baby wakes constantly; others say they sleep for hours at a time. What are the ranges for normal night time sleep patterns in newborns?

It's something we adults seem to overlook - just as we all sleep differently from each other, so do our babies. There are many factors that affect how a baby sleeps, and there is a wide range of normal. Even still, there are similarities that we should consider. Newborn babies will sleep 15 to 18 hours out of every 24, and about 6 to 8 of those hours will occur as daytime naps - if we understand and respect their sleep needs. If we don't understand their needs they won't sleep well - and this is a very common problem. If we don't help them get the sleep they crave they can become agitated, and fussy - and this further prevents them getting the sleep they need. That's why it's important to learn what's normal for a newborn and help your infant get the sleep he needs.

One of the most important keys to good newborn sleep has nothing to do with sleep hours and more to do with awake times. Newborns can only stay happily awake for forty-five minutes to an hour or two at a time. If they are routinely sleeping well at night and getting good, long naps, then by six months most babies can stay awake for two to three hours. However, all newborns do best with short awake spans interspersed with plenty of naps. If your baby has been awake beyond this "happily awake span" you have likely missed some sleepy signals, and your newborn is overtired. An overtired baby will be fussy and find it hard to sleep, yet won't be able to stay happily awake, either.

3) Let's go to the question that many new parents want to know: When will their child begin to sleep through the night?

This is the most common question about babies and sleep! The problem here is the perpetuation of the myth that babies should sleep independently through the night from the time they are a few months old. Sure, a handful of babies do sleep through the night from the start (One of my four was one of those unicorn babies!) but most do not. Sleep patterns, and the ability to sleep all night, have a powerful biological foundation. We can affect this somewhat with routines and our actions, but just like your child's eye color, height and the amount of hair on her head, much of your child's sleep patterns are out of your control.

Babies have immature sleep systems. They have very tiny tummies - only about the size of a cherry at birth! Babies grow rapidly, their liquid diet digests quickly. During those early months, your baby will have tremendous growth spurts that affect not only daytime feedings, but nighttime feeding needs as well.

This means that it is perfectly natural, absolutely normal, and totally expected for your baby to wake up in the night and need nourishment or your help to fall back to sleep. Sleeping all through the night, every night, without needing a parent's assistance, is like learning to walk or talk or drink from a cup - all kids get there, but they do so at their own speed, a little bit at a time, and in their own unique way.

4) You discuss the need to learn your baby's sleep cues. Why is that important?

Your baby will give you signs when she is tired. Reading these sleepy signals correctly is critically important, and will affect the results of every other sleep solution you use. If you miss the window of tiredness, your baby will quickly become overtired. An overtired baby is cranky, cries more, and ironically, won't fall asleep easily or for very long. On the flip side, a baby who is not yet tired will reject any efforts to sleep, and will fuss over your insistence! Dancing between just tired enough and too tired is a fine line, but if you know what to look for, you can find the perfect moment with your baby.

5) Are there any signs of sleepiness in a newborn that new parents often miss or misinterpret?

A very common mistake is to misread a baby's signals and respond in just about the opposite way that your baby means for you to. A typical sign of tiredness is looking away and losing interest in people or toys. Many people interpret these tired actions to mean "I'm bored," or "I need you to sing louder," or "shake the rattle more," or "bounce me more," or "try harder to get me to smile," - when what the baby is desperately trying to say is, "I am tired and I need to sleep - please help me to fall asleep!" If you learn to speak your baby's language you will enjoy the prize of clear communication and easier sleep.

6) What are some key things new mothers can do to get more rest?

I would say the most important idea is to learn what's normal and stop hoping for something else. The early months with your baby are about getting to know this new little person and finding your place as a parent. Whether this is your first baby or your sixth baby you should honor these early months with the time and peace that they deserve. Don't let the outside world prevent you from taking the time you need to learn all you can about your brand-new baby. In the early weeks, avoid having too much company, too many outings and too many distractions, as these can get in the way of focusing on your baby. Relax your housekeeping standards. Whittle down your to-do list. Remind yourself every day that your number one priority is getting to know your baby. If you remove outside pressures and cue into your baby then both your infant and you will get more rest.

7) What is "breastsleeping" and how does that impact the sleep of mother and baby? Is this something you recommend?

"Breastsleeping" is a new term coined by sleep authority Dr. James McKenna of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab at the University of Notre Dame. It identifies the natural and powerful relationship between breastfeeding and sleep, and the connection between a breastfeeding mother and baby. His research has shown a very particular sleep architecture that appears in the breastfeeding mother/baby pair which keeps the baby safe in a bed-sharing environment and allows the baby to feed frequently throughout the night, which is natural for a newborn.

I was a "breastsleeping" mother with all four of my children long before the term existed, just like countless other mothers, since this pattern has occurred naturally all over the world since the beginning of time. I'm in favor of safe bed-sharing and "breastsleeping" is one of the keys to creating a safe sleeping condition for an infant, and also which provides a breastfeeding mother with the maximum amount of peaceful sleep.

8) You discuss using "pink-hued white noise" as a sleep aid. How is that different from plain white noise?

The environment that your baby enjoyed in the womb was filled with a constant symphony of sound therefore many newborns find a totally quiet room disconcerting. Because of this prenatal history, "white noise" sounds can be soothing to many babies and help them to relax, fall asleep and stay asleep. White noise is an indistinct background hum, such as the rumble of a motor, the drone of a fan or the swish of ocean waves.

White noise is also helpful because it blocks out sharp noises (clinking dishes, dogs barking, television sounds, sibling squeals) that can wake your sleeping baby. It also creates a consistent sleep cue that tells your baby it is time to sleep.

Not all white noise is created equal! Pink noise is a variant of white noise that sounds full, deep, rich and monotonous. Perfect examples of pink noise are the sounds of a heartbeat, a fan or humidifier, ocean waves, the patter of rainfall or the rustling of leaves on a tree. In contrast, examples of pure white noise include things like a vacuum cleaner, the static between stations on a radio, and the squeal of a hair dryer, which all are made up of a higher pitch and intensity. As you can see, there are subtle but important differences that make pink noise gentler on the ear, and a better match for aiding sleep.

9) What's the most important sleep tip for parents of a newborn to know?

Your baby will tell you what he needs - but you need to watch, listen and learn. Your baby is born with a unique personality, and you will soon become the best interpreter for your own baby. But it takes time to figure your baby out! You may feel more love than you've ever felt before in your life, but that doesn't mean you'll know how to interpret your baby's body language and noises right off the bat, and you won't always read your baby's tired signs accurately. The good news is that you will learn quickly and in no time you will become the best expert on your very own baby.

About Elizabeth Pantley: Elizabeth is the author of twelve popular parenting books, available in twenty-seven languages, including the best-selling No-Cry Solution series. She is known by millions worldwide as a teacher of respectful and effective parenting methods. She is the mother of four children and grandmother of one, who was the inspiration for this book. Visit her website at www.nocrysolution.com.

Elizabeth Pantley created The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns to explain the ways we unintentionally prevent an infant's natural sleep to occur, and to teach us the simple but powerful ways to maximize our newborn's naps and nighttime sleep and create the foundation for awesome sleep.

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Newborn Sleep: A discussion with Elizabeth Pantley * KellyMom.com

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What is the number one issue among parents of babies? Sleep! We wanted to talk to someone who has spent many years helping parents with infant sleep issues, so we interviewed Elizabeth Pantley, who has written the No-Cry Sleep Solution series of books.