Robert L. Levy

Although babies cry less in the first week than they will later (crying tends to increase around three weeks and peak at six weeks), most brand-new parents find their baby's crying alarming and upsetting, says Robert Levy, M.D., chief of pediatrics at Highland Park Hospital in Deerfield, Illinois.Babies just fuss and cry, and some do it more than others, he says.His advice : try not to take your baby's crying personally, or to feel like you be a failure.Newborns cry most often because of hunger, but also when they feel exposed, alone, or wet.Over the next month or two, you will develop a whole repertoire of tricks for soothing your baby : She may respond to certain kinds of holding, like the airplane hold ; or to motion, like a trip in the car or front-pack ; or to sounds, like hum of a vacuum cleaner.

Should we call the doctor.

Newborns exhibit some peculiar characteristics that can make new parents worry that something's terribly wrong.You may notice your baby's fingers or toes looking slightly bluish at first, because newborns' circulation to their extremities is a little sluggish.there be no need to worry unless she looks bluish around the mouth.Likewise, do not worry if your baby's hands and feet to feel cool to the touch -- that be normal.

The more familiar your child is with everything that will happen the better, according to pediatrician Robert L. Levy, M.D., chairman of Highland Park Hospital's Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.If your child is having elective surgery, for example, you might arrange a tour of the Pediatric & Adolescent Unit in advance, Dr. Levy says.

The same principle applies during the stay itself, and you can rely on your child's nurses and doctors to talk honestly to your child.If the patient is having his appendix removed, for example, we will explain how he will go to sleep, how his tummy will be sore when he wakes up, and how the pain will go away.The goal is to make the child aware at each step in an age-appropriate way..