Pregnancy is an exciting time. Being a part of the miracle of life will mark the beginning of new experiences that will make you learn a lot of things about yourself. Sometimes, though, amidst all the excitement, you can't help but worry about how you will take care of your new baby. Don't worry! Read on and you'll find out some important things that you need to know when looking after your newborn baby.

Before you take care of your baby, you need to take care of your own needs first. There's no reason to feel guilty, because your baby actually benefits from it the most. Your baby deserves a well-rested and happy mommy. Eat healthy and nutritious foods. Try to catch up on your sleep by asking your spouse to take charge during the weekends. Make time to get some exercise. There's a lot you can do during a 30 minute break from your baby.

Do not push yourself too hard doing everything and trying to make everything work. Remember, you and your spouse just had a baby. As you adjust to your baby's feeding and sleeping routine, keeping your home in order could be challenging. After your baby is home you need to be able to tolerate a bit of messiness around the house. Do what you can with your housework, but take it easy on yourself and don't get too caught up in polishing and making everything shiny and dirt-free. Your baby's health is your top priority. You need to be a mother and not the perfect housekeeper.

Don't hesitate to ask for help. Feel free to share some 'baby chores' with your spouse, friends or relatives if you feel that you need to. Nobody expects you to do everything. You and your spouse are a team. The people who care about you won't hesitate to give you some time off to catch up with your rest or allow you to do something else.

Gently handle and properly support the body of your baby when you are carrying him. Always support his head and back since he is not yet able to hold his head up. Never shake your baby as it can lead to "shaken baby syndrome", a condition with life-threatening consequences.

Always put your baby to sleep on his back. This will prevent suffocation and minimize your baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Feed your baby on demand. Newborns live on formula or breast milk. Through their first months, they need to feed 8 to 12 times a day. Most professionals agree that feeding your baby on demand or whenever he displays signs of hunger is better than forcing a bottle on him. However, if your baby has slept for longer than 4 to 6 hours without feeding, you may have to wake him up to feed him.

After feeding your baby, don't forget to help him burp. Burping your baby after every feeding session helps avoid gas. Place your baby's head on your shoulder and gently pat his back until he burps.

Mild soaps and shampoo are great for bathing your baby. Bathing may be done one or two times a week. More frequent bathing can cause your baby's skin to dry out. Use mild soap and warm water and avoid rubbing your baby's skin too hard as this can cause skin irritation.

When bathing your baby, never leave him unattended. Do not leave him on an unbuckled changing table. When washing your newborn's hair, avoid getting his ears wet because it might lead to ear infection. Always keep your newborn baby in your sight to avoid accidents.

Change your baby's diaper immediately after a bowel movement. Gently wash the area with unscented baby wipes or water and towel dry. To prevent diaper rash and other forms of irritation, do not allow your baby to sit on a wet or dirty diaper. Apply diaper rash cream every time you change your baby's diaper to prevent rashes.

Use the right size diaper on your baby. Using diapers that are too small or too large will not only cause leaks but also make your baby uncomfortable. In addition, using diapers that are too small for your baby tend to pinch his delicate skin and cause irritation.

Always trust your instincts. If you feel that something is not right with your baby, call your pediatrician right away. Avoid panicking or overreacting because panic tends to cloud your better judgment. Feel free to call your pediatrician or doctor to ask questions.

Don't expect perfection. You don't have to be perfect to look after your baby successfully. Take it easy on yourself. During your baby's first days, feel free to ask for help in learning how to properly support your baby's back, feed him, and burp him after meals.