Congratulations on your new baby!

In the first days of life, babies follow unique behavior patterns as they face all sorts of experiences and sensations for the first time. They spend the majority of the time sleeping and feeding and are highly dependent on their parents.

It is recommended that babies sleep on their backs, which reduces the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Because babies are on their backs all night, it is essential for parents to ensure they spend time on their stomachs (“tummy time”) every day (while awake) to help them build the strength required for upcoming milestones, like sitting and crawling.  Start with a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the amount of time. You can start immediately, first placing the baby face down on your lap or chest, and moving to the floor soon thereafter.Most of their reactions are driven by primitive reflexes, rather than by intentional actions. For example, touching the lip or cheek will likely cause the baby to exhibit a rooting reflex, where they are looking for a food source. Providing babies with love and affection is particularly important at this age, as it will help generate confidence and a sense of safety.