Are you a new parent? If so, you likely have a lot of questions about how to take care of your infant. Our next series of articles will answer some of the most frequently asked questions parents have about caring for their new babies. Here are our first two questions and answers!

How do I bond with my newborn?

Skin-to-skin contact is one of the best ways to bond with your newborn baby. Snuggling, breastfeeding, massaging or rocking your baby will stimulate oxytocin, a bonding hormone that makes you feel calm and full of love. Making eye contact and smiling at your baby also helps them focus on you. Many babies also like it when you sing or talk to them in a gentle voice.

Remember that bonding is often a gradual process. If you don’t feel connected to your baby right away, that’s OK! You can build this relationship like any other through spending time together. You might need to ask for help from friends and family members so that you and your partner can take a break from routine tasks to spend time with your baby.

Many mothers and fathers experience postpartum depression, which can impede a parent’s ability to bond with their baby. If you are consistently anxious, hopeless or miserable, talk to your OB-GYN or therapist as soon as you can. You can also enroll in Help Me Grow Utah, a free service that can help you get screened for postpartum depression. Visit helpmegrowutah.org/parents/ to enroll.

How much sleep do newborns need?

It’s hard work becoming a human being! Infants need lots of time to rest and recharge. A newborn can sleep up to 18 to 20 hours a day. You can help your infant get enough sleep by keeping nighttime feedings quiet so the baby doesn’t wake up all the way. Newborns don’t yet have an internal clock that differentiates day from night, so reinforce that it is nighttime by keeping it dark and quiet. Sometimes, playing with your infant throughout the day helps them take fewer naps and sleep through the night.

If you have other questions about parenting and child development, United Way’s programs Help Me Grow Utah and Welcome Baby can help. Parents who enroll in Help Me Grow Utah are connected to a parent support specialist who can answer their questions, connect them to resources and assist in taking developmental screenings. To sign up, go to helpmegrowutah.org/parents/.

Welcome Baby provides home visits to empower and support new parents in the transition to parenthood. If you would like a home visit from a Welcome Baby volunteer, sign up at unitedwayuc.org/welcome-baby.