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You kiss her a thousand times a day, you've got the feedings down, even the bathing, isn't that it?

You thought your frequent doctor visits were over? Baby needs them now, just as she did while you were pregnant.

Once baby's home from the hospital, you'll be seeing his pediatrician almost as frequently as you once saw your obstetrician. At least in the beginning. Well baby visits are conducted at one or two weeks of life, depending on your particular part of the country, and again at four weeks.

Doctors will:

Check length, weight, and head circumference measurements. Measurements are marked on a growth chart, which will be used at later visits to be sure the baby is growing as expected. It will also tell you how baby's height and weight compare to other babies of the same age.

Perform a physical exam, including a reflexes, general development, and attention to any questions you have.

Administer a PKU test, to detect certain inherited diseases) will be performed. This test is also called "the heel prick test." Give baby immunizations and record those on a formal document which you should keep in a safe place at home.

However, there are some baby-health indicators that should be assessed by your doctor including:

• Excessive drowsiness (not always easy to spot in a newborn)

• Eye problems caused when the tear ducts don't open, creating a mucous-like tearing

• A fever above 100.4 degrees

• Extreme looseness (floppiness) or 'jitters' in baby may indicate an underlying problem

• A runny nose

• Very loose, watery stools

• A noticeable reduction in urine output (less than six wet diapers within a 24 hour period)

• Any noticeable, sustained changes in eating habits

Care and feeding of the new mother
Much attention is paid to the care and feeding of newborns. Your body needs special attention now, too. Eat right, get as much sleep as you can, take care of any stitches or incisions you have, and be sure to follow up with your own doctor for a six-week checkup, which is when you will deal with such issues as family planning, resuming sexual activity, and weight loss.

AFTER THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF SETTLING IN, REAL LIFE BEGINS
The visitors subside, the casseroles are eaten, your partner returns to work and you're home alone with a baby. If you worked outside the home prior to baby's arrival, you may be filled with conflicting emotions regardless of whether or not you're going to return to the work place yourself in a few weeks.

Be patient with yourself.

Real life with a newborn is about napping when the napping is good, staying on top of the laundry, simplifying meals and household chores, keeping up with baby's doctor visits, showering whenever you can squeeze some alone time in (and putting baby in the bouncer seat on the floor when you can't), taking tons of pictures and never forgetting to take the time to smell the roses. After all, isn't that why you had a baby in the first place?

Getting ready to go back to work? Call your childcare provider and give them your anticipated date to return to work. When possible, transition yourself back into the work place with a half time schedule for the first week. Consider starting day care a week before your return, an hour or two a day, allowing baby (but mostly you) to adjust to his new setting slowly.

Staying home with baby? This adjustment is different for every woman. Some adapt instantaneously, others long for their jobs. Being home for the first time can be isolating, but it doesn't have to be. Join a mom's group. Join a walking club at the mall. Go to the gym. Take an infant class. Volunteer. Get yourself out in the world everyday, whether it's for an organized activity or a walk around the block.

Make your baby the center of your attention, but not the center of the universe.

A routine will help everyone in your household, so work on establishing a daily schedule. Just don't get so hung up on your routine that you lose sight of the little things there are to enjoy. Be sure to include walks around the block and time with other young families in your routine. Even more important is remembering that you are part of a couple. Make sure that you have time together which is not all about baby.

The "baby blues" are a fact of life for many women. Some doctors estimate that up to 80% of their patients experience some degree of depression, often within three days of giving birth. This is due in part to hormones. It's also due to sleep loss and physical fatigue. If you find yourself a little weepy or irritable, take some time for yourself. Hand over your responsibilities to a responsible adult, shut the bedroom door and read a book.

Go outside and get some fresh air. Do something which is solely for the benefit of you. You've gone through a lot physically and emotionally and it's natural to feel slightly overwhelmed at times. The "baby blues" can be triggered by anything, sometimes even positive things, like watching your baby being held by a loved one. These little or no provocation episodes usually subside in a matter of days of weeks.

If you feel that you're experiencing more than your share of emotional swings, talk to your doctor. 1/5 of women experience post-partum depression, and with a little help, they can feel like themselves again.

How do you keep your new baby happy? By surrounding him with loving friends and family…by playing, cuddling, singing, reading to him…by keeping yourself happy and healthy right from the start of his beautiful little life.