1. If your baby weighs less than 7.5 pounds, consider putting "Newborn" sized clothing on he or she. Most parents believe that sizing begins with 0-3 or 0-6 months. More petite babies will appear better if the newborn sized clothing is used.

2. The umbilical cord typically falls off between 7 and 14 days postpartum. It should be cleaned often during the day with alcohol and a cotton swab (such as a Q-tip). The alcohol is a drying agent and will facilitate not only cleanliness but also drying and healing of the umbilical stump. For babies with "innies", Mom or Dad may have to actually lift up the stump to clean it thoroughly!

3. Newborn babies can see approximately 12 inches away from their faces. They know when someone is looking at them when they're just a couple of days old, and they will fix their gaze longer on the faces of people who make eye contact with them. They are very social, even at a few days old!

4. Taking the baby's temperature rectally stimulates the sphincter muscles and also stimulates a bowel movement… and lots of it. So when visiting the pediatrician or taking the baby's temp rectally yourself, BE PREPARED!

5. Speaking of bowel movements, will you be using disposable diapers or cloth? Before you make a firm decision, read this article.

6. Never changed a diaper or nappie before? Here are the step by step instructions!

• Babies, even a few weeks old, can roll! If using a changing table with a strap, use the strap for safety. Never leave your baby unattended or out of your reach.
• Unfasten the diaper and use the clean top portion to wipe away most of a bowel movement, always from front to back. Then clean away any urine and remaining feces with a warm washcloth or diaper wipe. Pat your baby dry with a towel. When changing a boy's diaper, keep a fresh diaper over his penis as much as you can and aim the penis downward when putting on a new diaper to keep wetness from drenching his clothing. Baby boys have been known to decorate nursery walls ~ once cool air hits the penis, this stimulates the urine to flow.
• Put on the clean diaper. If you're using cloth diapers, they may be prefolded and ready to use, but you may need to fold them further until your baby gets bigger. (The extra fabric goes in the front for boys and the back for girls.) Slide the diaper under your baby so the waist aligns with the top edge.
  Bring the front up between the legs, and hold it in place while you fold the sides in toward the center and fasten, by using either a Velcro diaper cover or a diaper pin.
• If you do not using a diaper cover, put a pair of waterproof pants over the diaper. Waterproof pants should fit snugly -- but not so snugly that they irritate your baby's skin. Be cautious of irritations around the legs.
• If you're using disposable diapers: lay the diaper flat, with the sticky tabs at the back. Slide the diaper under baby so that the top aligns with the waist.
• Bring the front up between the legs and tuck it around the stomach. Unpeel the sticky tabs, pulling them firmly over the front flap to fasten the diaper. The diaper should fit snugly, but it shouldn't be tight.

7. Before you purchase anything for baby, look for a listing of recalls or cautions on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website.

8. Babies who get shots while breastfeeding experience less pain, says researchers. Read more from Breastfeeding.com!

9. It is really important to get a good start with breastfeeding. Here are some valuable tips and great latch-on photos from Breastfeeding Basics!

10. Babies love to suck. They find suckling at mother's breast very soothing. Sucking is also a way for babies to calm themselves. Until they find their favorite way of soothing, getting through a day maybe rough. Patience is a key!