Summary 

Your baby’s first year will be an adventure that you will never forget. It will be filled with smiles and laugher as well as tears and challenges. Much of what you learn will be by trial and error. No two babies are alike and therefore any advice and tips offered in this guide are just that: suggestions of things that you can try. Parenting is all about love, patience, and the guessing game. No matter what plans you make, or how you decide your baby’s first year should flow, your baby is going to decide many things for you simply because of his likes, dislikes, and personality.

There are many sources available for new parents. These sources include:  

• your doctor

• your local health center for families

• books

• the Internet

• parenting groups

• friends and family

With so many sources available for new parents you will have help close at hand for those times that you need a question answered about what brand of cold medicine to use to what you should do when your baby won’t stop crying.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If you need a break from your baby don’t think that this makes you an inadequate parent. Every parent of a baby under one year of age needs a break once in a while.  

If something in this guide doesn’t work for you after you’ve tried it don’t feel discouraged. Remember that all babies are unique, with their own quirks and things that make them tick. Do what works best for you, sit back and relax, and enjoy your baby’s first year.  =)

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