Infant expectations

A newborn, unlike an adult, can shift from what seems to be great distress to a state of apparent comfort very abruptly. These quick changes of mood persist for many months and often are dramatic reminders that infants experience life quite differently from adults. Along with sleepiness, frailty and irritability, an infant is unusually sensitive. This sensitivity can make a jumpy parent even more apprehensive. Remember that it is perfectly normal for an infant to startle and cry at any abrupt change in stimulation during its first weeks of life.

The infant's major concern is comfort. He or she is likely to be restless and in distress just before feeding. An infant may cry a good deal immediately after and between feedings.

Most questions from new parents concern five areas of a new baby's life:

• What goes in.
• What comes out.
• What the baby says.
• When the baby sleeps.
• How to care for common newborn occurrences.

Back to Newborn Care.