What to Expect the First Year

Read What to Expect the First Year for Free Online

Book: Read What to Expect the First Year for Free Online
Authors: Heidi Murkoff
or the subcutaneous ring block).
    â€¢ The locker-room syndrome. Some parents choose not to circumcise a newborn so he will look like his uncircumcised dad or like other boys in a community where circumcision isn’t widely practiced.
    â€¢ A belief in a newborn’s rights. Some parents prefer to leave this important life decision up to their son—when he becomes old enough to make it.
    â€¢ Less risk of diaper irritation. It’s been suggested that the intact foreskin may protect against diaper rash on the penis.
    If you remain undecided about circumcision as delivery day approaches, read about circumcision care here and discuss the issue with the doctor you have chosen for your baby—and possibly with relatives, friends, or social media buddies who have gone either route (keeping in mind that the debate between pro and con camps can get pretty heated).
    Diaper Decisions
    Cloth or disposable? While you don’t have to decide which type of diaper you’ll use for your baby’s bottom until there’s a bottom that needs covering (and you can always change your mind once you start changing diapers), thinking about your options now makes sense. For a heads-up on all the bottom-covering options and features out there, click here .
Choosing a Name
    So, maybe you’ve been settled on your munchkin’s moniker since you were a munchkin yourself. Maybe you devoted notebooks to baby names in high school—or later, cocktail napkins. Maybe your baby’s name became as clear as a 4-D ultrasound the first moment you learned “it’s a boy” or “it’s a girl.” Or maybe, if you’re like a lot of other parents approaching delivery day, you’re still playing the name game … late in the game.
    Whether you’re looking for something classic, something meaningful, something quirky, something trendy, or something completely different, whether you’re sure you’ll know the right name when you hear it or wondering if you’ll ever know it, deciding what to name your baby can be a pretty daunting challenge. After all, a name is not just a name—it’s an integral part of your child’s identity. And, it tends to stick for life—from the cradle to the playground to the homeroom to the workplace and beyond. Add to that awesome responsibility the drama and debate, which can get pretty heated between some couples (and among other opinionated family members): The name your spouse is set on may be the name you’re set against. Your cousin delivered first and took your favorite name with her. Both grandmas are lobbying for different family names. A coworker burst out laughing when you told him the name you had in mind. And the name you love best is the one you’re afraid no teacher will ever be able to pronounce. Or spell.
    So get ready to run through the alphabet (and your share of baby-name apps, websites, and books) at least a few dozen times. Try before you buy—toss around as many possibilities as you can before your baby’s due—and don’t be too quick to reject new entries (you never know which names might grow on you). It also pays to start paying attention to what parents in your orbit are calling their little ones. You may be inspired or discover that a name you were considering doesn’t have that ring after all—especially after you say it out loud a few dozen times.
    Here are some more tips on choosing a name for your baby:
    Make it meaningful. Have an all-time favorite actor or character from a book or film? A beloved family member or ancestor? A sports or music legend you’d love to honor? Or maybe you’d prefer to find your inspiration from the Bible or another spiritual source. Or from the location of your little one’s conception. A meaningful name can mean more than a random one—andattaches a special background story and historical context to a brand new life.
    Consider the less

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