In the beginning it will seem like your little one is sleeping quite a bit. In fact, she's snoozing up to eighteen hours a day. If she's your first, you might be crouched outside her door waiting to run in and get some quality play time at the first rustle. (Second-time parents, on the other hand, count down the minutes to naptime.)Although her sleep patterns, which involve four-hour stretches of snoozing, won't have a huge effect on your day schedule, they're going to hit you hard at night. She'll be waking up to be fed several times an evening for at least the first three months.

Remember to always place your baby on his back when laying him down for a nap or bedtime. Back sleeping has been shown to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (or SIDS). Make sure baby's crib is clear of stuffed animals, quilts, pillows, and other soft bedding when he heads to bed.

Baby should always be put to sleep on his back. If a thin blanket is necessary, place baby with his feet at the bottom end of the crib, and make sure the blanket is tucked in between mattress and crib, going no higher than baby's chest.