It is a good idea for parents-to-be to choose a pediatrician 2-3 months before the baby is due. This is an important decision to make, so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to meet with pediatricians in your area, check out their offices, and feel secure with your choice well in advance of the birth of your baby. When you are new to an area, start by searching for Pediatricians on your insurance company's website or try the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Find a Pediatrician tool. Look at online reviews and ratings, but proceed with caution if you are unsure. Soon after your baby is born, they will be seen for their first visit by a pediatrician or family doctor. As part of that visit, a physician will take a physical examination to check your baby's general health, check their newborn reflexes, and give you guidance on how to adjust to any weight or feeding issues that may be occurring. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that parents should bring their children with wellness visits with their pediatrician at least 7 times between the ages of 1 and 4. However, every child is different, so you may need to take your child to the doctor more frequently.  It is common for many families to go to the doctor for the first time at the age of 2 weeks for their babies' well-baby visit. As part of your well-baby check-up, your doctor will examine your baby, and it is also a chance for you and your doctor to become closer. In the course of your baby's journey, you may have questions about how he or she appears, behaves, eats, and sleeps. Here are some questions you should ask your pediatrician during the first visit: Does my baby need to be fed on a schedule? What is the best way to tell if my baby ate enough? What is the best way to store breast milk? Can I give my baby more breast milk if he or she isn't drinking enough? Can I tell if my baby gets enough vitamin D and iron? Is it a good idea to give my baby supplements? ​​​​​​​ A child's next scheduled visit is usually between the ages of 2 and 4 weeks, once the baby has been feeding well and gaining weight. Different pediatric offices handle their schedule for the first 1-2 months in a little different way. To learn more about your newborn's health and the check-up schedule, please refer to Your Newborn's Health. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children get a check-up at birth, 3 to 5 days after birth, and then again at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months, depending on the specific pediatrician's schedule. Getting a well-child visit is essential for many reasons, including Tracking growth and development milestones and discussing any concerns you may have concerning the health of your child. Getting the required vaccinations to prevent diseases like measles, whooping cough, and other serious ones. When Choosing a Pediatrician, do your research. Verify credentials and experience. Check if your pediatrician accepts your health insurance and if he or she is accepting new patients. Find out if the pediatrician is available and easy to get to. Find out how the doctor interacts with your baby. Read these interesting articles about babies: 30 Fun Facts About Babies The First 1,000 Days Of A Baby's Life Understanding Your Baby's Brain Top 10 Baby Cues And What They Actually Mean  

Parenthood is defined as carrying the responsibilities of a parent, while the word parent simply means a father or a mother. A single parent is simply that one parent raises a child in their household without a partner living with them. Single-parenting would cause a problem to both parent and child. Less opportunity for parents and children to spend time together. Effects of the breakup on children's school performance and peer relations. Disruptions of extended family relationships. Problems caused by the parents' dating and entering new relationships. Single parent households usually have a shortage of finances, which can have emotional effects on the children, such as increased frustration and anger and an increased danger of violent behavior. They might experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, loneliness, abandonment, and have difficulty with socializing. If parents aren't able to cope with the stress caused by single parenting, they run the risk of experiencing burnout. This is a common condition among single parents that can often lead to increased anxiety, depression, and physical health issues. Single-parent children can feel frightened, stressed, and frustrated by the difference between their lives and their friends'. Children of single parents are more prone to various psychiatric illnesses, alcohol abuse, and suicide attempts than children from homes with two parents. Children raised by single mothers are more likely to fare worse on a number of dimensions, including their school achievement, their social and emotional development, their health and their success in the labor market.  Single parenting disadvantages: Having less money. ‌As a single parent, you may be at a financial disadvantage. Spending less quality time.  Work overload and multitasking‌. Negative feelings. Behavioral problems. Relationship problems. Today single parent families have become even more common than the so-called “nuclear family” consisting of a mother, father, and children. A single-parenting would be better if a sole parent can provide the required secure emotional base, clear boundaries, love and warmth that children need for healthy standard development. Children can thrive with one loving role model. Spending time together is the real key to a happy and mentally healthy child. Children raised by single parents can be just as happy and mentally healthy as children living with two biological parents. Whether a child has one parent or more, children do well when they have parenting that's nurturing, warm, sensitive, responsive and flexible. Single parenting advantages: Undivided attention. ‌Children of a single parent usually get their parent's undivided attention.  Freedom to make decisions. Fewer arguments.  Good role model.  Independence and responsibility.  Sense of belonging.  Close relationship.  Positive parenting. The hardest part of being a single parent is that there's no one to lean on. The loneliness is hands down the toughest part of single motherhood. As pretty much any single mom will tell you, having a child on your own is not selfish at all. In fact, being a single mom is one of the most selfless things you can do. Single moms don't often have much time and/or money to spend on themselves. Everything they do is for their families. Being a single parent doesn't mean you're alone. You may have family members, friends, or neighbors nearby that can pitch in when you need them. Being a single parent is even much better rather than having a violent spouse or unsupportive husband. Don't be too harsh on your self thinking about what your child could feel without a mom or a dad. Raising them alone is already enough for them to feel that you love them.   Read related blogs: Baby's Basic Needs: Food, Shelter and Clothing and It's Easy To Become A Dad, But Harder To Become A Father

Families with infants and toddlers have complex needs. Some have unmet physical or mental health needs, while others struggle to provide the basics. Children have certain basic needs in common that must be provided for to ensure their optimal development and well being. Your baby needs good health and energy to learn and grow, and you can help by taking care of their basic needs. Kids must feel safe and sound, with their basic survival needs met: shelter, food, clothing, medical care and protection from harm. Early in life, babies depend on others to meet their needs for safety and security. Provide ways for your child to see, hear, feel, move freely and touch you. Slowly move colourful things for your child to see and reach for. Essential newborn care includes: Immediate care at birth (delayed cord clamping, thorough drying, assessment of breathing, skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding) Thermal care. Resuscitation when needed. Basic Needs of Infants and Toddlers includes adequate Sleep, nutritious food, security and protection, sensory stimulation and strong bonds. Some essentials are onesies, pajamas, pants, and swaddle blankets. For baby's bathing: An infant tub, baby washcloths, baby towels, and wash/lotion for sensitive skin. Diapering: If you're going with disposable diapers, one large box of size 1 diapers can get you started. For cloth diapers, experts recommend having 24.  Between 13 and 20 weeks of your pregnancy should be a good place to begin your serious baby shopping. If you have a baby registry, take care to check and to see what baby stuff has been bought before you go out for them yourself. In any case, have your baby necessities ready to go between 32 and 36 weeks. Many expecting parents prefer to wait to buy baby stuff until they find out the gender of their baby. This generally happens between 18 and 21 weeks, but some people find out as early as 12 weeks.   Things You Need To Have for Your Newborn Baby: Clothing and Layette. Diapers. Bath Items. Grooming/First Aid Tools. Bedding and Sleep Needs. Feeding Supplies. Gear and Furniture.   Essentials That You Need When You're Out WIth Your Baby: Car seat Stroller. Baby carrier or wrap Diaper bag.  Sun shade for car windows. Portable crib. Portable changing pad.   Despite all of the baby products on the market, your little one won't actually require a lot of gear. Your care and support will give your child a secure base from which to explore the world. Love, attention, and affection in the first years of life have a real impact on a child's physical, mental and emotional growth. So cuddle, touch, smile, encourage, listen to and play with your little one whenever you can .