First time parents, especially those who live in a nuclear family without the support system that an extended family provides, often struggle for information and are faced with puzzling issues every day. This adds to the mirth and excitement of caring for a baby but also causes some helplessness if the parents don’t know how to react to a situation.

Do not worry if the first few bowel movements of your baby result in a greenish black and sticky discharge, this is called meconium. Later on the stools take on a runny consistency and a mustard yellow color. Babies can have bowel movement one to two times after every feed.

Lactating mothers should be aware that for the first two-three days after childbirth they produce colustrum which may not be much in quantity but is crucial for the life-long health of the baby. The colustrum initiates bowel movement that helps eliminate the meconium. Keep in mind that breastfeeding your baby during the beginning two-three days is very important. Also the more you suckle your baby the more it stimulates milk production in you.

Do not stress yourself if you find tiny white pimples on the baby’s face. These are termed milia and are caused by the baby’s oil glands getting clogged. They do not require any treatment and go away on their own in a few days.

Often you will find yellowish flakes collecting on the baby’s scalp. This is seborrhiec dermatitis and you can get rid of it using some baby oil or olive oil on the scalp. Follow the oil massage with a gentle shampoo bath and then use a gentle scrub to remove the scales.