While bonding can begin as soon as a baby enters the world, by letting the mother hold the baby immediately and put him to her breast, bonding is a continuous process. When medical complications for the mother or baby prevent them from having immediate contact, there are still lots of ways they can bond, such as by breastfeeding, rooming in, and lots of physical contact. Even when a baby is born prematurely or has health problems that keep them separated from the mother, catch-up bonding is always possible.

More than likely, your newborn will sleep more than that, from 14 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period, waking mostly to eat. Whether your baby is breast-feeding or bottle-feeding, expect him or her to sleep for one to four hours between each feeding. Remember, sleeping patterns and habits vary greatly.

All babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered premature (early), regardless of their birth weight. The average baby weighs 6 to 8½ pounds, and is between 18 and 22 inches long. A baby who weighs less than 5 pounds 8 ounces (2500 g), even if born after 37 weeks, is considered "low birth weight" and may be at risk of some of the same complications as a premature baby.

Breast milk is the perfect food for babies. It is easily digested, and has special fats, proteins and sugars that help the baby grow and stay healthy. It also has protective antibodies passed on from the mother which help protect the baby against disease and infections.

Going back to work does not have to mean that a mother has to stop breastfeeding. With a good pump, she can express enough milk to leave with the baby's caretaker. Breastfeeding also helps keep mothers healthy, making it even more worth the effort!

If for medical or other reasons the mother cannot breastfeed, she should talk to her doctor about the best iron-fortified infant formula for her baby.

While a baby's vision is somewhat blurry until around 6 months of age, and it takes longer for them to develop good depth perception, at birth babies can see quite well at 8–12 inches — right where the parent's face is when the baby is being held.

Sadly, this is true. However, the number of SIDS deaths has dropped precipitously since 1992, when the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that infants be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Other things parents can do to reduce SIDS risk include:

• Using a firm sleep surface
• Keeping soft bedding and loose objects out of the crib
• Not smoking during pregnancy
• Having the baby sleep near them (like in a crib or bassinette in their bedroom) but not with them, as bed sharing can be dangerous
• Avoid overheating

In general, your baby feels comfortable at about the same temperatures you do and you should dress him accordingly. At most, dress your baby in one more layer than you are wearing. It is also a good idea to keep comfort in mind when choosing your baby's clothing.

Birthmarks are very common among newborns. There are many different types of birthmarks, in varying sizes, shapes and colors. Some last a lifetime while others may fade away.

Responding to your baby's cries lets him know that he is loved and cared for. Studies have shown that responding quickly, and spending time holding him can actually decrease the amount of time a baby spends crying each day. Try using an infant carrier. It can free up your hands, making it easier to hold him close while you can do other things.

CPR — cardiopulmonary resuscitation — may be necessary if your baby is not breathing and/or the heart stops beating. Infant CPR, however, is very different from adult CPR, because infants are smaller and have breathing and heart problems that are different from adults. It is very important that every parent and every person who cares for infants and children take a course in CPR. Call the Red Cross or your local hospital to find out about courses in your area.

Jaundice is a common condition caused by the buildup of bilirubin in a newborn's blood. A byproduct of the breakdown of old red blood cells, bilirubin normally is removed from the blood by the liver. In newborns, however, the bilirubin isn't removed as quickly and can stay in the body. Because of its color, bilirubin can make the skin and white parts of the eyes look yellow. In rare cases, when the bilirubin level gets very high, especially if the baby is premature or sick, it can cause a kind of brain damage called kernicterus. Because of this, doctors monitor babies with jaundice closely and use ultraviolet lights to help bring the level down if it starts to get high.

The vast majority of babies, however, are completely unharmed by jaundice. In fact, recent studies suggest that mild to moderate jaundice can actually keep newborns healthier, especially if they are born prematurely.

Most babies will have doubled their birth weight by the time they are 4 to 5 months old and tripled it by their first birthday. However, regardless of a baby's size at birth, it is not unusual for him to lose a few ounces (and even up to 10 percent of his body weight) during his first days of life. Most babies regain this weight by the time they are two weeks old.

If your newborn has a temperature over 100°F, you should call your doctor right away, even if he or she seems fine. An elevated temperature usually means that the body is fighting some type of infection.