Today's Best Advice
If pregnancy is making you feel unattractive and moody, a manicure or pedicure will boost your spirits.
If you're worried about safety, try washing your newborn in the kitchen sink instead of the bathtub. Use an oversized sponge as a cushion.
At bath time, cover the faucet with an inflatable plastic sleeve to protect your baby.
If your baby won't stop crying, try distracting him by letting him sniff different things in the house, from a spoonful of peanut butter to a drop of hand cream.
Infants should be protected with sunscreen on all exposed parts of their bodies in bright sun.
To prevent macular degeneration later in life, infants should wear UV-protective sunglasses in bright sun.
As a "rule-of-thumb," dress an infant a bit warmer than you dress yourself.
When your baby begins to crawl, keep plastic refrigerator storage containers in bottom drawers and cupboards. The baby can play with these, and there won't be as many "no-no" places.
In an airplane, if your baby cries upon landing, breast-feed or use a bottle or pacifier to relieve pressure on the ears.
Don't keep loose objects in the back seat of the car when baby is in the car seat. Sudden stops may cause objects to fall on the baby.
In cleaning little girls' bottoms, always wipe from front to back.
Research all types of child-care options well before you have to go back to work so you can hire someone and have your baby get used to them while you're still home. This can help make the transition easier for everyone.
Instead of always yelling no, try to distract your baby from an inappropriate or dangerous behavior with something more fun and safe for her to do.
If your baby continues to do something wrong (e.g. pull your hair, pinch you) gently tell her no, and then put her down. Keep doing this until she stops the behavior, but try not to get angry or laugh because this will confuse her.
To encourage your baby to nap better during the day, try to give her an early morning activity every day, followed by a warm lunch and then a nap in her own crib.
Never add salt or sugar to your baby's food because babies prefer bland food, especially when they are trying new ones.
Fried foods should be avoided until your baby is over a year old.
When your baby starts solid foods, she may be more thirsty. You can give her water or diluted fruit juice in a cup with her meals.
Encourage people who are sick or who have children who are sick not to come near you or your baby, especially in the first few weeks after your baby is born.
Avoid using talcum powder on your baby's bottom because the granules can irritate a young baby's skin and lungs.
Encourage people who smoke to do so outside of your house and away from your baby.
Never leave a toddler with a newborn baby even if they seem to be getting along, because toddlers are unpredictable and may endanger the baby without even knowing it.
You can't do much to cure your baby's hiccups, so it's best to just hold her and make her as comfortable as possible while it's happening.
Put an X of black electrical tape on all household products that are poisonous as a good reminder that these are dangerous.
If you have cracked nipples, leave them exposed to the air as much as possible in between feedings or use a hair dryer on low. Also, after nursing, rinse off your baby's saliva and then express a little milk, letting it dry on the nipples.
Set aside a stash of thank-you cards, stamps, and return address labels for baby gifts.
Before you become pregnant, invest in a firm mattress for back support.
Avoid drafts -- don't put your infant's crib near the window.
To encourage a strong milk supply, breastfeed your baby on demand, which is usually every 2 hours, rather than on a set schedule.
If your hospital or birth center will allow it, try to get your baby to room-in with you so you can nurse her when she starts crying and won't get confused by a bottle nipple in the nursery.