You've survived 9 months of pregnancy. You've made it through the excitement of labor and delivery, and now you're ready to head through the hospital or birthing-center doors and begin your life at home with your baby. But as those doors close behind you, you frantically realize you have no idea what you're doing!

If you're a first-time parent, put your fears aside and get the basics in this guide about burping, bathing, bonding, and other baby-care concerns.

Getting Help After Birth
A key to your post-baby sanity is your ability to recruit help. While in the hospital, use the expertise around you. Many hospitals have feeding specialists or lactation consultants who can help you get started nursing or bottle-feeding. In addition, nurses are a great resource to show you how to hold, burp, change, and care for your baby.

For in-home help, you might want to hire a baby nurse to help you for a short time after the birth. In addition, relatives and friends can be a great resource. They may be more than eager to help, and although you may disagree on certain things, don't dismiss their experience. But if you don't feel up to having guests or if you think your relatives would monopolize your time with the baby, don't feel guilty about placing restrictions on visitors.

Handling a Newborn
If you haven't spent a lot of time around newborns, their fragility may be intimidating. Here are a few basics to remember:

• Be careful to support your baby's head and neck. Cradle the head when carrying your baby and support the head when carrying him upright or when you lay him down.
• Be careful not to shake your newborn, whether in play or in frustration. Shaking that is vigorous can cause bleeding in the brain and even death. If you need to wake your infant, don't shake him - instead, tickle his feet or blow gently on his cheek.
• Make sure your baby is securely fastened into the carrier, stroller, or car seat. Limit car rides and any other activity that would be too rough or bouncy. A newborn is not ready for rough play, such as being jiggled on the knee or thrown in the air.

Bonding and Soothing Techniques
Bonding with your baby is probably one of the most pleasurable aspects of infant care. Begin to bond by cradling your baby in your lap and gently stroking him in different patterns. If you and your partner both hold and touch your infant frequently, he will soon come to know the difference between your touches. Each of you should also take the opportunity to be "skin-to-skin" with your newborn, holding him against your own skin when feeding or cradling.

Babies, especially premature babies and those with medical problems, may respond to infant massage. Many books and videos cover the subject; talk to your child's doctor about which one you think might work for you and your baby. Be careful, however - babies are not as strong as adults, so massage your baby gently.

Babies usually love vocal sounds, such as talking, babbling, singing, and cooing. Your baby probably will also love listening to music. Try a variety of types to find your baby's preference. Baby rattles and musical mobiles are other good ways to stimulate your infant's hearing. If your baby is being fussy, try singing, reciting poetry and nursery rhymes, or reading to him as you sway or rock gently in a chair.

Some babies may be unusually sensitive to touch, light, or sound. Such babies may startle and cry easily, sleep less than you might expect, or turn their faces away when you speak or sing to them. Keep noise and light levels moderate.

Swaddling is another soothing technique first-time parents should learn. Swaddling keeps your baby's arms close to his body and his legs securely bound. Not only does this keep your baby warm, but the surrounding pressure seems to give most newborns a sense of security and comfort. Here's how to swaddle a baby:

• Spread out the receiving blanket, with one corner folded over slightly.
• Lay the baby face up on the blanket with his head at the folded corner.
• Wrap the left corner over his body and tuck it beneath him.
• Bring the bottom corner up over his feet.
• Wrap the right corner around him, leaving only the neck and head exposed.

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Jump to another section of this article A Guide for First-Time Parents Diapering Dos and Don'ts and Bathing Basics Circumcision and Umbilical Cord Care and Feeding and Burping Your Baby Sleeping Basics Reviewer name and date on last page