Health Library

The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.

Healthy Newborn Care

  • Learn five things you can expect when bringing a new baby home.

  • Learn a safe way to swaddle your new baby.

  • Learn how to do infant CPR in 3 minutes—just in case.

  • Learn tips for creating a good sleep routine for your newborn.

  • Learn some tried-and-true ways to comfort a crying baby.

  • Learn how often your baby needs breast milk or formula.

  • Learn what to expect in the first few days when changing your baby's diapers.

  • Learn how to care for your newborn's umbilical cord stump.

  • Learn how to use a rubber bulb to remove mucus from a baby's nose.

  • What is postpartum? During the first weeks after giving birth, your body begins to heal and adjust to not being pregnant. This is called postpartum (or the postpartum period). Your body goes through many changes as you recover. These changes are different for every woman. The first weeks after childbirth also are a...

  • A rubber (aspirating) bulb can be used to remove mucus from a baby's nose or mouth when a cold or allergies make it hard for the baby to eat or sleep. It is best to use the rubber bulb to clean the baby's nose before feedings and before the baby...

  • What kinds of development occur in your baby's first month? Babies are called newborns during their first month of life. Although your newborn sleeps a lot, powerful changes are occurring in the five major areas of development. Physical development. Watching your baby grow in size is part of the fun...

  • A baby may be uncomfortable after feedings if he or she has swallowed air during the feeding. Burping helps get rid of air that the baby has swallowed. Burp a breastfeeding baby when you switch breasts during feeding. Burp a baby who is bottle-feeding after each 1 fl oz (30 mL) to 2 fl oz (60 mL) of fluid...

  • Almost all babies spit up, especially newborns. Spitting up happens less often after the muscles of the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach, become more coordinated. This process can take as little as 6 months or as long as 1 year. When spitting up becomes a problem If your baby...

  • Many studies have shown that placing a baby younger than 1 year old to sleep on his or her back is the most important thing parents can do to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Since 1992, the number of babies who sleep on their back has gone up (due mostly to the national "Back to Sleep" campaign)...

  • Cognition is the ability to think, learn, and remember. Your baby is born with 100 billion brain cells ( neurons). To function at their full potential, these cells must form connections (synapses) with each other. These connections carry messages between the cells in the brain and from the brain to the body. During a...

  • To help establish and maintain a predictable daily schedule, respond to your baby's needs and try to reinforce your baby's natural habits. Eating From birth, babies follow their internal hunger and fullness cues. They eat when they're hungry and stop eating when they're full. Experts agree that newborns should be fed...

  • You naturally develop an emotional bond with your baby simply by spending time together, being physically close, and responding to his or her cues. Although the bond does not require special planning, keep the following in mind: Respond to your newborn's crying. Newborn babies cannot act with forethought, so they are...

  • When you encourage emotional bonding with your baby by cuddling, talking, and playing with him or her, you also stimulate brain development and communication. To further promote learning and communication: Learn your newborn's cues and recognize when he or she is most alert and receptive. Newborn communication can be...

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