Your new baby won’t remember the hoopla surrounding his birth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate in style. Whether you’re planning a big party or simply a gathering of immediate family, the day will mean a lot to both you and your partner. Read on to learn how new moms and dads around the world celebrate their newest additions.

U.S.: Traditional baby showers are still common, but "Sip and Sees" are on the upswing. Modern new moms looking to liven up a ladies-only afternoon are embracing these post-birth, coed cocktail parties where the focus is where it should be -- on oohing and cooing over the new baby.

Latin America: To protect a new baby from the evil eye, or mal de ojo, many Latinos give their baby a red or pink bracelet to wear, sometimes with a black charm in the shape of a fist. The charm is thought to bring good luck. If you choose to copy this tradition, don’t let your newborn wear the charm without supervision, as it could be a choking hazard.

France: The French often give a new baby a middle name that honors a grandparent. What's so unique about that? The names don't have to be baby-gender specific, so there are little Lucas Maries and Sophie Georges walking around Paris. In Germany, however, the name game is different. The German government has a list of approved names that new moms have to choose from. If your heart is set on, say, Apple or Rain, you’ll have to file for an exception, giving a good reason.

Poland: Polish moms really luck out: Instead of flowers or balloons being sent to the hospital, they receive lots of food, including delicacies like Polish doughnuts and kabanosy (smoked sausage).

Russia: Russian maternity wards don’t allow visitors -- not even Dad. Instead, a midwife presents the baby to relatives just outside the hospital room. Everyone else waits to meet the new baby at the Christening or next big holiday gathering. Down in
Brazil, however, guests come in droves to meet the baby, and the new mom often provides each well-wisher a goody bag.

Japan: New baby gifts given before the birth often have something to do with dogs, which are thought to be harbingers of easy deliveries. And after the umbilical cord falls off, it's saved in a wooden box called a heso.

No matter how you choose to celebrate your new baby, do keep a camera handy. The photographs will provide fun memories for you and a neat way for your child to look back on the fun way you welcomed him to the world. 

The image is a classic one: A new mom holding her tiny baby, rocking gently, and singing softly. Music is a universal language, and baby lullabies are the best way to teach it to your child. Plus, the sweet tunes may even boost your new baby’s health and development. Whether you sing the same songs your mother sang or you compose something special for your little one, there’s really no wrong way to sing baby lullabies to your infant. But if you’re stumped on how to get started, read on for some top tips.

Baby lullaby tip number 1: Boost your baby’s health.
It’s been proven that premature babies who hear music have improved heart rates, stronger breathing, and better feeding and sleeping patterns. And even if you don’t have a preemie, lullabies can still boost your baby’s development as any time spent engaging with and talking to your child is beneficial. Offer a tune before bed, when she’s crying, or anytime she needs to be comforted.

Baby lullaby tip number 2: Build a better bond.
Giving your child the gift of music is a great way to feel closer to your new baby. By choosing baby lullabies that are special to you or have other significant meaning (cultural, spiritual, or religious), you’re sharing a part of yourself and strengthening a very natural bond.

Baby lullaby tip number 3: Don’t forget mom.
Music has long been known to ease depression, calm nerves, and inspire people to dance. Singing baby lullabies to your infant can certainly help to work these wonders in new moms, too. If you’re feeling down or stressed out after being up all night with your little one, pick up your new baby and break into song!

Baby lullaby tip number 4: Just sing (it’s OK).
Trust us -- there’s no wrong way to sing a lullaby. And there’s no wrong song to choose, either. If you don’t have a favorite baby lullaby from childhood, then sing a song you love, whether it’s a pop tune, a rock-and-roll ballad, a holiday song, or even a commercial you hear on TV. Of course, you can always search online for classic lullabies and lyrics too.

Don’t be shy when it comes to singing lullabies. Your baby won’t mind if you are tone-deaf, you forget the words, or you sing the same verse over and over. She’ll love the time and attention you’re spending with her, as well as your soothing, familiar voice.

Photo by Felipe Salgado on Unsplash

It’s hard to resist peering into your new baby’s crib to spy on her as she sleeps. But don’t be surprised if, instead of a peacefully slumbering infant, you see your baby twitch and flail her limbs. Try not to worry -- the jerky sleep movements are part of your baby’s regular development. Read on to take a peek into what’s going on in your baby’s sleep.

Dreamweaver
It may be tempting to assume your new baby is having a fascinating dream when you witness her sleep movements. But while babies do spend more time than adults in REM sleep, or the dream state, it’s unlikely that they are experiencing vivid dreams, as infants haven’t had many experiences and their brains are too immature.

Stretching out
Don’t forget that your new baby was accustomed to spending her time curled into a little ball in the womb. Now that’s she’s in the big, wide world, she’s learning to move her limbs and may flap and flounder about -- something that is completely normal.

New nerves
Your newborn’s central nervous system is still developing, leaving her rather out of control when it comes to her body’s movements. Once she’s older, your baby will have better command of her limbs and will be able to move them on purpose, rather than randomly twitching them.

Light sleeper
At this age, babies are very light sleepers and won’t enter many periods of deep slumber. In addition to her sleep movements and various twitches, you may notice that she grimaces, sucks, and smacks her lips, flutters her eyelids, smiles briefly, startles, and wakes up rather easily.

Time to roll
Always remember to put your new baby to sleep in her crib on her back (doing so can greatly decrease her risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS). But between four and seven months, your baby may manage to roll onto her belly in the crib, which isn’t something to be concerned about. Once babies can roll over consistently, they’ll pick the sleep position they want on their own.

Your baby’s sleep movements may seem rather strange, but they’re simply her way of learning how to control and use her body. However, if you think your baby is twitching too much or it’s making her uncomfortable and unable to relax, give your pediatrician a call. A better night’s sleep for your baby equals a better night’s sleep for everyone in your household!

Photo by Manuel Schinner on Unsplash

Even before your baby is born, parenting advice may start to pour in from well-meaning friends, family, and the occasional stranger. A hot topic for baby advice is your baby’s sleep regimen. You'll get lots of ideas on how long and where your baby should sleep, as well as the best ways to help her settle down. Here are some tried-and-true suggestions that are worth a go. 

• Set and stick to a specific bedtime each night so your baby gets used to a routine.
   
• Play and interact all day long. Talking to and stimulating your baby during the day will help lengthen her awake times and in turn, help her sleep for longer periods of time at night.
   
• Create a bedtime routine that includes a bath, listening to music, and/or reading.
   
• Let your baby fall asleep on her own in the crib. One tip is to put her in the crib when she’s half-asleep so she can get to sleep the rest of the way on her own.
   
• Keep her calm and quiet during nighttime changes and feedings. Try not to wake her or interact too much, so that she will settle back to sleep more quickly.
   
• Wait a few minutes before responding to your baby’s fussing once you have already put her to bed. She may be able to settle herself.

Do whatever feels best for your baby and you, regardless of all the baby sleep advice you receive or read. If that means you don't follow a strict bedtime schedule, then that's fine. It's really up to you to create the best sleep routine and habits that work for your baby, you, and your family.

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The changes your baby has gone through from the time you brought her home to now have been unbelievable. Who could have thought that in these few months she could grow into this little person? She's becoming more and more social every day, and playtime just gets better.

Offer a toy
Hand her a toy that rattles or makes crinkly sounds and watch her reaction when she grabs it. If it's a toy that makes music when she touches it or squeezes it, does it make her smile? Toys that help her learn about the different senses are both educational and magical to a baby. Does she have a favorite lovey item yet? She may be able to pass this toy from hand to hand, and it may be fun to play a back-and-forth game with her. Remember when she first smiled at 2 months? Around now she’ll start to giggle – which is even better!  

Go for a game
At 4 months you want to play games that engage her senses. Help her round out her understanding of the world by playing games that involve different textures and scents. Bubbles are fascinating to babies. Blow them around your baby and she’ll be endlessly entertained. Or play “This Little Piggy” while you’re getting her dressed and ready to leave for the day. She’ll love to be tickled and stimulated, and it’s also a good game to learn about touch – and to distract her when you want to put her socks on!  

Set up a playdate
Have you had a playdate yet? Why not invite one or two mom friends over who have babies around the same age? Put your babies on the floor together, along with a few toys, and watch what happens. You’ll love watching your baby play with her new friends -- you could probably use the time to talk to other moms as well.

Playing with your baby and creating a fun and active environment is vital to early childhood development. Keep her active, and you'll raise a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted baby!