Few things are more uncomfortable -- from a baby’s perspective -- than a wet or dirty diaper. Even worse: diaper rash! Fortunately, it’s easy to keep your little one happy, healthy, clean, and dry. As you go to change your baby’s, remember these important dos and don’ts:

DO change your baby’s diaper frequently. For a newborn, this may be as often as 10 times a day. Don’t depend on your sense of smell alone to determine when it’s time. Lightly pat the diaper to gauge whether it’s heavy or full, or gently pull at the waistband and take a peek inside to ensure that your baby is clean and dry.

DO select a safe spot for changing. This can be a changing table or a changing pad placed on the floor, bed, or sofa. Wherever you choose to change your baby, it helps to keep supplies (clean diapers, baby wipes, washcloths, and diaper ointment or petroleum jelly) within arm’s reach.

DON’T ever leave your baby unattended on a changing table or any other changing surface that’s not the floor. You never know when your newborn will roll for the first time.

DO always wipe from front to back, especially when changing a baby girl. This will help prevent bacteria from spreading to the urinary tract.

DO cover your baby with a clean diaper after you’ve removed the dirty one, especially if you have a boy. This will keep you, the changing area, and your baby’s clothes from getting wet if your little one decides to pee before you can get a clean on him.

DO point your baby boy’s penis down to prevent leaks around the waistline.

DON’T use baby powder, which isn’t necessary and can be dangerous if your baby inhales it. Instead, apply diaper ointment or petroleum jelly.

DO know the signs of diaper rash: red, irritated skin and small, red bumps. If these appear on your little one’s diaper area, be extra vigilant about changing diapers frequently and apply a diaper cream with zinc oxide to create a barrier between your baby’s skin and wetness. If diaper rash happens often, persists for more than two or three days, is accompanied by fever, or seems particularly severe, check with your baby’s doctor.

DON’T fasten diapers too tightly. If the diaper leaves marks around your baby’s waist and legs, it’s too snug.

DO keep toys or rattles on hand, or hang a mobile over the changing table to keep your little one occupied while you change his diaper.

DO wash your hands after every diaper change to prevent the spread of germs. If you can’t get to a sink for some soap and water, use hand sanitizer or baby wipes.

Thumb-sucking isn’t just a quirky behavior of babies and young children. It’s actually vital to healthy early childhood development. Here’s why it’s acceptable for your baby to do it.

Why your baby sucks her thumb
Sucking is an instinctive behavior for newborns. You may be tempted to discourage thumb-sucking to prevent your baby’s teeth from coming in crooked, but it’s better to let her indulge in the habit for now. It teaches her the valuable skill of self-soothing, bringing her comfort when she’s tired or unsettled.

If you can wean your baby off thumb-sucking by age 4, when permanent teeth come in, it won’t affect her pearly whites. In the short term, the ability to self-comfort will help your baby fall asleep faster, as well as fall back to sleep on her own after waking at night.

 
Other baby soothing techniques that work
Most babies experience crying jags, often in the late afternoon. First, check to make sure your baby’s cries are not a sign that she’s hungry, tired, or uncomfortable. Don’t fret if you can’t seem to find a reason: Baby crying doesn't always mean something is wrong. It can be a normal part of baby development, caused by a maturing nervous system.

If sucking on fingers or a pacifier doesn’t seem to console your baby, try these soothing techniques:

• Gently rock your baby
  
  
• Softly sing to her
  
  
• Swaddle your baby
• Place her in a front carrier or infant swing

The more upset your baby is, the harder it may be for you, but try to stay calm. Remember to rest when your baby sleeps, and be sure to eat regularly. You’ll be better able to take care of your baby once you’ve taken care of yourself.

Whether it’s because he’s hungry, tired, or just trying to get your attention, it’s true that every baby’s cry has a reason.

Here are a few of the reasons why your baby may be crying, and how you can soothe him.

He’s energetic
Believe it or not, when babies have excess energy that they need to get rid of so they can return to feeling normal, it’s not uncommon for them to cry it out. You may notice that your baby gets fussy around certain times of day, even if he’s already been fed and he’s not uncomfortable or tired. If, after these emotional outbursts, your baby appears alert or takes a contented nap, you can probably bet that he simply wanted to release some of his pent-up energy.

Unfortunately, when it comes to this type of baby’s cries, there’s not much you can do to help him. Rest assured, though, if your baby is crying to release some energy, he’ll come out on the other side acting like a whole new baby.

He’s hungry
Most “I’m hungry” cries can be distinguished from the others because they tend to be short and low-pitched, rising and falling through its duration. If your baby is crying in this manner, try feeding him to see if that will help.

He’s angry
If your baby’s cries are more turbulent, he could be angry. Try adjusting the way you’re holding your baby, or picking him up if he’s currently lying down. A shift in his momentum may get him to snap out of his little tantrum.

He’s in pain
Sudden, loud, and high-pitched shrieks, followed by long pauses and then flat wails, generally tend to indicate that your child is in pain. If you hear this type of cry coming from your baby, check for anything that may be causing him discomfort.

He wants to be left alone
Sure, your baby’s adorable and you want to cuddle with him 24 hours a day. That doesn’t mean he’s game for all that attention, though. An “I need to be left alone” sob will probably sound a bit like a hunger cry. If you’ve just finished feeding your newborn and he’s giving his short, low-pitched cry, he may just need some quiet time alone.

He has colic
If your infant has regular fussy periods, most commonly between 6 p.m. and midnight, he could be dealing with colic. Babies with colic will intensify their cries throughout the day, cry inconsolably, and often extend or pull their legs and pass gas. Approximately one out of five babies develops colic. Unfortunately, there is no exact explanation why.

If you believe your baby might have colic, you can try eliminating potentially irritating foods from your diet (if you’re breastfeeding), like milk products, caffeine, and onions. Or introduce a pacifier, which can sometimes bring relief to babies with colic. Swaddling and laying your baby on his stomach while gently rubbing his back sometimes helps to relieve the pressure as well. For more ideas, consult your pediatrician.

A few other potential remedies for crying babies include:

• Rocking and swaying
• Swaddling
• Car ride
• Rhythmic noise or vibrations
• Warm baths
• Burping

As you and your baby bond over the first few months of his life, you’ll come to recognize your baby’s cries more quickly, which means you’ll be able to remedy them and get your happy, smiling baby back in no time.

As a new parent, baby safety is your top priority -- and keeping your newborn safe in the car is most likely on your mind. Here’s what you need to know about safety on the road. 

Be car-seat safe. You know that having an infant car seat will protect your child in the event of a crash. But also make sure the seat has a sturdy harness system, is rear-facing, and has padding around the sides to support your baby. Also check that your car seat is installed safely. If you’re unsure, find a certified car seat inspector near you at SeatCheck.org. 

Buckle up, always. Speaking of car seats, your baby should always be in one when you’re in a vehicle. It might be more fun to hold him and buckle up together, but an infant (or a child) should never ride in your arms.

Babies in the back. You might be tempted to put your baby’s car seat up front so you can keep a closer eye on him while you’re driving, but don’t. The backseat is the safest and best for babies and children, who could easily get hurt by a deployed air bag if you were to get into an accident.

Watch the windows. To keep your baby’s fingers from ever getting pinched, always look before closing automatic windows. Keep them closed by turning on the child window locks.

Never talk or text while driving. A whopping 78 percent of moms admit to talking on their phones while driving (and 26 percent say they text or check email). You’ve heard it a million times, but here it is again: Never use your phone to talk or text while you drive -- it’s just not worth the risk.

Always bring your baby. It might be easier to leave your baby in the car while you pop into stores to run errands, but it’s definitely not safer. Children’s bodies heat up faster than adults’, and the temperature inside your car can jump 20°F in just 10 minutes! That puts your baby at risk for overheating, and even having a heatstroke.

Picking out all of your new baby’s gear is one of the most exciting parts of prepping for his arrival. (The cute toys! The tiny socks!) Here’s a checklist of the mom-approved essentials and fun extras you’ll need to make your newborn’s first year healthy, happy, and as low-stress as possible. 

The basics

• A crib. Updated safety guidelines now prohibit the sale of drop-side rail cribs, so a new crib is essential for baby safety. Make sure crib slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart and that all joints and parts fit together tightly. If you have a crib that was made before June 2011, find out if the manufacturer offers hardware you can install to help keep the drop-side from moving.

• A car seat. Federal law won’t let you bring your newborn home without one, so having a car seat is definitely a newborn essential. Babies and toddlers age 2 and under should ride in a rear-facing seat, which will help support your little one’s neck, head, and spine in the event of a crash.

• Clothing and accessories. Newborns don’t need much in the fashion department, but there are a few must-haves. You can never have enough side-snap shirts and bodysuits (onesies) in size 0-3 months. It’s also a good idea to stock up on receiving blankets that double as burp clothes and changing pads. And when it comes to sleeping sacks, hats, and socks, let’s just say you can never have too many.   

• Plastic bottles and nipples. Have plenty of 4-ounce bottles for your newborn, and get 8-ounce bottles for when he gets bigger. The safest bottles are made from glass or certified BPA-free plastic.

• A changing station with diapers and wipes. You’ll change a whopping 3,000 diapers in your baby’s first year alone, making a sturdy changing table a must. Look for one with 2-inch raised guardrail around all four sides. Make your life easier by stocking it with plenty of good-quality diapers and baby wipes.

• A thermometer. Rectal thermometers will give the most accurate readings, but forehead-scanning thermometers and thermometers that go under your baby’s arm or in her ear also get the job done. Whichever kind you choose, make sure it’s digital: Mercury thermometers are dangerous, since they could lead to accidental mercury exposure or poisoning.

The extras

• A front carrier. Wearing your baby is a cuddly way to keep him close while you go about your day. It can also help soothe him when he’s fussy, and it might even boost his brain development. A wrap or a more structured carrier is equally good, as long as you make sure it supports your baby’s head. 

• A stroller. Options abound, and the stroller you buy should meet your lifestyle. (If you’re a runner, for instance, a jogging stroller could be a nice choice.) No matter what kind you opt for, make sure it has a seat belt and harness, easy-to-use brakes, and a wide base that won’t topple over. 

• A baby swing. In a matter of minutes, the soothing rocking motion of a baby swing can turn your crying baby into a happy, sleepy one. That’s music to a new mom’s ears.

• A cool mist humidifier. Keep it in your baby’s nursery to help him breathe easier when he gets a cold. To stave off bacteria growth, empty the humidifier when it’s not in use. Clean it regularly according to the model instructions.  

• A baby tub. A large plastic washtub makes life easy, but for newborns, the kitchen sink works just as well. Just make sure the faucet’s out of the way and the dishwasher is turned off. 

Having a new baby can be overwhelming, but stick with this newborn essentials checklist and you’ll be more than prepared.