Basic Care for Children 6 Months to 1 Year

BASIC INFANT CARE

Por: Shamir Galvá

W

hen your baby first arrives, you may feel a bit over whelmed by the job of caring for her. Even such routine tasks as diapering and dressing her can fill you with anxiety—especially if you’ve never spent much time around babies before. But it doesn’t take long to develop the confidence and calm of an experienced parent, and you’ll have help. 

While you are in the hospital, the nursery staff and your pediatrician will give you instructions and support your needs. Later, family and friends can be helpful; don’t be bashful about asking for their assistance.

 But your baby will give you the most important information–how she likes to be treated, talked to, held, and comforted. She’ll bring out parental instincts that will guide you quite automatically to many of the right responses, almost as soon as she’s born.

The following sections address the most common questions and concerns that arise during the first months of life.

 From: CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD birth to age 5 1991-1998