I hope this doesn't sound like I have no clue, but

I really do have some questions. I keep picturing myself coming home from the hospital and having no clue as to what to do with the baby. How did you all know how much to feed the baby, when the baby needs to nap, etc. Any advice or is it all going to come natural?

Re: I hope this doesn't sound like I have no clue, but

I was absolutely clueless as well. I'm the first of my friends to have a baby, and this is the first baby of the generation in my family. So I knew absolutely nothing about babies!!!

For example, I once asked someone whether or not to take the baby's diaper off for the whole time he/she is in the tub. (Just in case: The answer apparently is yes, take it off.)

I read a few books, looked over message boards like this, and figured it out as I went along. It didn't come "natural" but we worked it out!

In terms of how much to eat, the hospital will help you figure that out in the beginning, and you'll adjust as he/she grows with the assistance of your pediatrician.

In the beginning, baby needs to sleep basically all the time that he/she isn't eating. If the baby isn't eating or sleeping, he/she will likely be crying because baby wants to eat or sleep.

Feel free to ask us any and all questions -- we've all been there and know how hard it is in the beginning!!!

Re: I hope this doesn't sound like I have no clue, but

I will say for the most part everything just clicked...

The baby slept most of the day, and only woke to eat (we still have some days like this) however the hospital did explain the food thing to me, before we left...

Since I was BFing I was told to shoot for 10 minutes on each breast... and to feed him about every 2hrs... (unless he expressed he was hungry before that...in my case it was more like every 1hr and a half)

Now he gets formula and he eats about 3 -3 1/2 oz every 2-3 hrs... He def. tells me if he is still hungry or when he is hungry)


To me- the first 2 weeks were fairly the easiest -(only during the day...night time is a whole other story) All he did was eat, sleep and go to the bathroom... Now he is awake alot more and wants to be entertained!!!

Only the questions I did have..I refered to LIF for or the ped. both were extremely helpful!

Re: I hope this doesn't sound like I have no clue, but

Just know that no question is a dumb one - we all answer eachothers questions and help as much as we can.