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- Knowledgebase: First Time Parenting 101
- Information for first time parents
- 8. How can I help my baby be born healthy? - Top
- The best way to have a healthy baby is to be healthy yourself.
Ideally, this means taking good care of yourself and your nutrition long before you get pregnent. Key nutrients like Folic Acid need to be in your system even at the time of conception to provide the best conditions for a growing baby.
If you don't cook much, this may be a good time to learn more about cooking and meal planning. Eat good food. If you don't eat together as a family, start doing so now. I think it is very important that families eat at least one meal together. It is a social time and it encourages your baby (especially toddlers) to try new foods.
Don't do drugs. This includes alcohol, which is very dangerous to your unborn baby, and it includes smoking. Smoking is one of the most common risks to unborn babies. It makes them much more likely to be born underweight and to have other complications. Furthermore, smoking is expensive- not only is it expensive for the cigarettes, but the doctor bills for your baby will be more. Babies in a smoking household are five times more likely to get sick with respiratory infections than babies in nonsmoking households.
Communicate with your spouse or significant other. You need to help each other adjust to your new roles as parents. You will both need to grow and become more giving in many ways.
Get prenatal care! Babies who are born from mothers who do not go to the doctor regularly while pregnant are much more likely to be born sick.
- Updated: March 19, 2001
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- Knowledgebase: First Time Parenting 101
James L Horwitz, MD
David C. Thomas, MD
Barbara Lindberg, PNP