FOR BABY:
Before you give your baby anything - be sure to personally check/touch/taste it first. Whether it's home-made or Gerber food, drinks, liquid vitamins, etc. I personally had two bad experience because of this mistake. Once, it was the Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron Drops that a doctor had recommended. I didn't understand why my baby had turned away from it on the second day, so I decided to taste it. As soon as I did, I almost threw up just from its taste and smell.
It was so bad that it made me sick and I threw the whole vitamin bottle out immediately. That's when it hit me why my baby had made that throw up face the day before. The second time was when I got a Similac Formula Milk that was on sale. Got two of it and had fed my baby for a couple of days. On the third day, my baby refused it. And got so sick, that my baby kept throwing up.
Diaper: Huggie, LUV or Target brand (target brand is great - b/c it's cheap, the stick-on section isn't too sharp so it won't make marks on baby's leg, etc. It also allow air to circulate, thus less diaper rash. Some moms believe that they are all the same - not true.)
Diaper Rash: Desitin Creamy (Diaper Cream) works best, it makes the skin a little whitish but I heard that will go away. Apply this as soon as you see reddish spot appears on baby.
Nipple for bottles (formula feeding): Soft ones that provides a Slow Flow. There's also the playtex drop-in for convenience using disposable Bottle Liners. Always be sure to check the nipple flow and milk temperature for baby's safety.
Pacifier - baby prefers the green Soothies, it's soft Baby.
Gum & Teeth - Clean with warm clean cloth and use soft tooth brush for teeth. Avoid sweet things as they destroy baby's teeth SO FAST!! We might think we are doing it out of love to give them some great tasting syrups, candy desserts etc.. But really keep them off sweet - this will save their baby teeth for a few years and they will enjoy their food w/out pain.
Milk Bumps - Most babies will get this, it's normal (aka baby acne, etc) just keep baby's face and body clean through gentle washing or damp cloth. Been told by doctor not to put any oil on milk bump areas. Lotion and podwer will help keep them dry and soft.
Dandruff - 1-2 months old sometimes get a severe dandruff. I was told by my doctor to wash and apply baby oil. Also, we can buy head & shoulder shampoo or Selsun blue and use only a dime size but be sure to avoid baby's eyes/face. My best friend who already has 3 children w/ the 3rd being only 5mo. right now, suggested washing daily and applying lotion. Shampoo them like the salon.
Baby's Nail - Some say only cut after 40 days - I waited past that to make sure my baby's nail was strong enough close to 2months. DO NOT BITE BABY'S NAIL OFF. Not a good habit, unhealthy as mouth has the most bacteria and I heard some have made the nails bleed.
Belly Button - Apply alcohol on cotton and wipe it frequently, as the nurse use to tell me, wipe every time there's a diaper change. This is important, as I realize now that it helps to dry up the inside part so that the outside can easily fall off in two weeks. As you already know - BATH can be taken after this falls off but NO BATH UNTIL THIS HAPPENS.
Fussiness - Causes are still being studied. Baby are annoyed or fussy usually in the evening. Baby sometime gets fussy during the day though. Breast milk is too slow and they may want frequent feeding. Just be patience and stay with baby or walk him/her around or rock them to sleep. They usually need attention and comfort as well as their milk.
***Moisture area if too red and skin is peeling, use desitin cream.
FOR MOMMY: Stay in Bed or lie down a lot for the first 2 weeks - very crucial as not to tear. Sitting isn't a good idea. Wash w/ warm water and stay dry. Many believe that it's best not to eat this and that, but just avoid seafood and spicy hot stuff so that baby doesn't have any problem. Also, they say drinking red wine and hot water/liquid helps to warm and thin the blood so you heal better. Let or ask you partner, family and friends to help out.
